Genome-Editing Techniques for the Augmentation of Ethnomedicinal Plants

With the increasing human population, ethnomedicinal plants are becoming increasingly popular as herbal medicines in the medical sector and industries. Humans have traditionally employed medicinal plants in food, pharmaceuticals, as well as for therapeutic purposes. The gene editing technologies offer targeted gene replacement, insertion, or deletion alteration by genome locus information due to high efficiency. Erstwhile tools like TALENS, meganucleases, and ZFNs were reported for genome editing. CRISPR/Cas is one of the advanced, efficacious mutagenesis tools in ethnomedicinal plants. By altering the genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway and the generation of plant secondary metabolites, viz., terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, etc., this technology has made manipulation possible. This article discusses the latest advancements, difficulties, and potential future applications while making observations about the wider applicability of CRISPR/Cas9. It also provides a thorough summary of the most recent developments and opportunities of gene editing methods to enhance metabolites for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses.