Enhancement of Anti-aging Properties of Medicinal Plants Through Induced Auto-polyploidization

Aging is a natural biological process that causes gradual deterioration of physiological functions, oxidative stress, and cellular damage. It can be influenced by genetic factors as well as environmental stressors. Although aging is irreversible, its progression can be modulated by various interventions, including the use of plant-based bioactive compounds. Natural compounds with anti-aging potential have recently gained considerable traction due to their safety, low toxicity, broad biological activities, and cost-effectiveness. Medicinal plants are a vast inventory of these compounds, offering a wide range of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids, which are known for their ability to combat oxidative stress, inflammation, and other aging-related processes. Enhancing the production of these compounds within the plants themselves offers a sustainable and efficient approach to enhancing the anti-aging properties of these plants. Induced autopolyploidization has emerged as a promising biotechnological tool that alters gene dosage and cellular metabolism, significantly enhancing morphophysiological traits of plants. Polyploid genotypes often show elevated biosynthesis of phytochemicals by many folds, including those with anti-aging properties, compared to their diploid counterparts, making it a valuable strategy in medicinal plant improvement. Hence, this chapter details the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying metabolite enrichment, reviews effective antimitotic agents used for induction, and outlines methodologies for polyploid identification and screening. Furthermore, it highlights key medicinal species demonstrating improved anti-aging efficacy upon polyploidization and discusses future opportunities for combining polyploidy with advanced biotechnologies to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Overall, this approach offers a sustainable and innovative strategy to develop superior medicinal plants that mitigate multiple hallmarks of cellular aging, supporting natural solutions for healthy aging and longevity.