Phytochemical analysis and gene expression profiling in Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker

Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker commonly known as Rohituka is an evergreen tree belongs to the family Meliaceae. All the parts this tree has been used traditionally in treatment for tumors, skin and spleen diseases, diabetes, jaundice, and rheumatism. Variety of compounds were reported from this plant in which amooranin and rohithukine isolated from A. polystachya showed high anti-cancer properties. In A. polystachya, the bark is the primary source for isolation of these compounds, and it was leading to the destruction of plants in the wild. Biotechnological interventions were not yet used on A. polystachya for the production and isolation of secondary metabolites since limited genomic or transcriptomic data was available. Novel secondary metabolite genes from non-model medicinal plants can be detected by the next generation sequencing (NGS) methods only. Metabolomic data of salicylic acid stressed group in A. polystachya was coupled with transcriptomic changes and the stress group showing maximum production of secondary metabolites. The genes responsible for the metabolic process and secondary metabolites in medicinal plants were thus elucidated through transcriptomics.