Giloy IISER Bhopal researchers sequence genome of medical herb Giloy
BHOPAL/IBNS: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal scientists have sequenced the Genome of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), a plant with medicinal properties.
The genome and transcriptome sequencing of Giloy is important due to its large-scale use in pharmaceuticals and ayurvedic formulations to treat various health conditions, including COVID-19 and provide insights into the genomic basis of its medicinal properties.
The usage of Giloy is also recommended under Ayurveda practice by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in prophylactic care as well as therapeutic applications for all symptomatic or asymptomatic patients infected with COVID-19. and is also used in fever and diabetes.
The research team was led by Dr Vineet K. Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal, and included Shruti Mahajan and Abhisek Chakraborty, PhD Students, IISER Bhopal, and Titas Sil, BS-MS Student, IISER Bhopal.
Dr Vineet K. Sharma said, “Giloy also has anti-microbial activity and is used in skin diseases, urinary tract infection, and dental plaque, among others. It is also found to reduce the clinical symptoms in HIV-positive patients and its antioxidant activity has anti-cancer and chemo-protective properties. Giloy extracts are found to be potential candidates in treating various cancers like brain tumour, breast cancer, and oral cancer, as well.”
The availability of Giloy genome will help in bridging the missing link between its genomic and medicinal properties and this study will provide leads for exploring the genomic basis of its medicinal properties, claimed a research team member of IISER Bhopal.
This research was undertaken by MetaBioSys Group, which focuses on the Indian microbiome including gut, scalp, skin microbiomes in healthy and diseased individuals and also undertake work in sequencing and functional analysis of novel eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes by developing and employing new Machine Learning-based software for Biology Big Data analysis.
The key aspect of this 'Genome Sequencing' includes claims of being the first species ever sequenced from the Menispermaceae plant family, which comprises more than 400 species having therapeutic values.
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