Biotechnology plays a vital role in the development and production of plant-based pharmaceuticals, also known as phytopharmaceuticals or biopharmaceuticals, by using plants as natural factories to produce valuable medicinal compounds. Here’s how biotechnology contributes:
- Genetic Engineering for Drug Production:
- Scientists insert specific genes encoding therapeutic proteins or enzymes into plants, enabling them to produce pharmaceutical compounds.
- This process is known as molecular farming.
- Example: Transgenic tobacco and maize plants have been used to produce vaccines and antibodies.
- Production of Edible Vaccines:
- Biotechnology allows plants like bananas, potatoes, and tomatoes to produce antigens that can trigger immune responses when eaten.
- These edible vaccines are low-cost, easy to distribute, and eliminate the need for cold storage or injections.
- Metabolic Engineering of Medicinal Compounds:
- Using metabolic engineering, pathways in plants are modified to increase the production of valuable secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids.
- Example: Enhancement of artemisinin production in Artemisia annua for malaria treatment.
- Plant Cell and Tissue Culture:
- Plant tissue culture enables the large-scale production of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants under controlled, sterile conditions.
- This approach ensures a continuous supply of uniform, high-quality compounds regardless of season or geography.
- Use of Hairy Root Cultures:
- Infection of plants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes induces hairy root cultures that are highly efficient in producing certain medicinal metabolites.
- Example: Hairy root cultures of Rauwolfia serpentina are used to produce the antihypertensive compound reserpine.
- Production of Therapeutic Proteins and Antibodies:
- Plants can be engineered to express therapeutic proteins such as insulin, antibodies, or enzymes used in disease treatment.
- These plant-produced proteins are safe, cost-effective, and free from human pathogens.
- Sustainable and Low-Cost Production:
- Compared to traditional chemical synthesis or animal-based production, plant biotechnology provides a cheaper, safer, and more scalable method for producing pharmaceuticals.
- Improved Quality and Yield:
- Through genetic modification, plants can be optimized to produce higher quantities of target compounds or improved versions of natural drugs with better therapeutic properties.
In summary:
Biotechnology transforms plants into biofactories for safe, affordable, and sustainable drug production. It accelerates the discovery and manufacture of life-saving medicines, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins—offering immense potential to improve global healthcare, especially in developing countries.