Investigating the Use of Biotechnologically Enhanced Medicinal Plants in Allergy Treatment

This book chapter delves into the multifaceted exploration of biotechnologically enhanced medicinal plants for allergy treatment. The introductory section provides an overview of common allergy medications and their associated side effects, setting the stage for the subsequent discussions. A comprehensive analysis of secondary metabolites derived from medicinal plants, elucidating their antiallergic properties is presented highlighting sources and mechanisms. The chapter categorizes medicinal plants known for their antiallergic properties and subjected to biotechnological manipulation. The core of the chapter explores diverse biotechnological approaches to enhance medicinal plants. This includes genetic engineering, metabolic pathway manipulation, and tissue culture techniques, with specific attention given to micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, cell suspension culture with elicitor intervention, artificial polyploidization, Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, synthetic seed production, cryo-conservation, and omics approaches. A dedicated section examines the role of nanotechnology in utilizing medicinal plants for allergy treatment. The book chapter culminates in a discussion on the clinical applications and human trials associated with plants possessing antiallergic molecules. Lastly, the text contemplates future directions and challenges in the field, emphasizing potential avenues for continued research and advancements in the biotechnological enhancement of medicinal plants for allergy treatment.