Aug 2026· Current pharmaceutical design· Vol 32· 0 citations
Medicine
TL;DR
The growing role of next-generation genome-editing technologies, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, in advancing sustainable phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical research and facilitating the development of high-value medicinal plant resources is highlighted.
Abstract
This descriptive review comprehensively examines recent advances in the genetic improvement of medicinal plants through the application of CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology, highlighting its transformative potential in biotechnology and pharmacognosy. The review systematically discusses the fundamental principles of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, including its mechanism of action, delivery strategies, and comparative advantages over conventional genome-editing techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the genetic enhancement of medicinal plant species to improve the qualitative and quantitative production of bioactive secondary metabolites through targeted modification of key genetic traits. In addition, the review explores the application of CRISPR-Cas9 for enhancing stress tolerance, environmental adaptability, and the regulation of metabolic biosynthetic pathways. Representative case studies involving medicinal plant species, including Artemisia annua and Catharanthus roseus, are critically evaluated to demonstrate the successful implementation of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing. Furthermore, the review discusses the synergistic integration of metabolic engineering, omics technologies, and synthetic biology for optimizing secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Finally, it highlights the growing role of next-generation genome-editing technologies, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, in advancing sustainable phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical research and facilitating the development of high-value medicinal plant resources.
This article synthesizes contemporary advancements in CRISPR-mediated mammalian genome modification, detailing core mechanisms – such as guide RNA and the Cas9 endonuclease – alongside next-generation modalities, including base and prime editing.
Olga Aldoshina, Dmitriy Lazarev, E. Smirnova· Veterinariya, Zootekhniya i...· 0 citations
A consolidated guide for selecting suitable CRISPR-Cas technologies and underscoring important considerations for their continued development in leishmaniasis research is offered, highlighting the transition of CRISPR-Cas systems from proof-of-concept tools to versatile platforms for functional genomics, target validation and translational research in Leishmania.
A. Ata, Derya Topuz Ata· Molecular Biology Reports· 0 citations
This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of a recent advances in CRISPR–Cas technologies and their strategic applications in crop genetics and hybrid breeding, and showcases how these technologies accelerate hybrid breeding by engineering male sterility systems, fixing heterosis, and generating high-throughput mutant libraries for trait discovery.
Syed Riaz Ahmed, Jahangir Khan, I. Ijaz et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
The convergence of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and nanozyme engineering is revolutionizing synthetic biology, biotechnology, and medical science. CRISPR-Cas9, a precise and programmable tool, enables targeted genetic modifications that enhance nanozyme functionality, stability, and catalytic efficiency. Through the site-specific mutagenesis, metabolic pathway regulation, and synthetic biology strategies, researchers have significantly improved nanozyme performance for diverse applications, including environmental remediation, biomedical diagnostics, and industrial catalysis. This article explores the fundamental mechanisms of CRISPR-based genome editing, its role in nanozyme optimization, and the latest breakthroughs in enzyme engineering. It also critically examines challenges such as off-target effects, biosafety concerns, and ethical implications associated with gene-edited nanozymes. As advancements in AI-driven predictive modeling and next-generation gene-editing tools emerge, CRISPR-Cas9 is poised to unlock unprecedented possibilities in bioengineering. The integration of genetic precision with catalytic innovation marks a transformative era, redefining the frontiers of molecular biotechnology and paving the way for groundbreaking applications in medicine, industry, and sustainable technology.
Modamori I.O, Okanlawon T.S, Ebhomienlen J.O et al.· Biological and Environmental...· 0 citations
CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing has emerged as a powerful and precise tool for crop improvement, enabling targeted modification of genes associated with agriculturally important traits. In horticultural crops, CRISPR technologies have accelerated the improvement of disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, nutritional quality, shelf life, flowering behavior, and ornamental characteristics. Among available genome-editing platforms, CRISPR/Cas9 is the most widely utilized because of its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility. The technology enables precise genome modification through targeted DNA cleavage followed by endogenous repair mechanisms, facilitating gene knockout, insertion, or sequence alteration. Recent advances in genome editing have significantly expanded its applications in vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Successful modifications targeting genes associated with stress tolerance, fruit ripening, pigment biosynthesis, flowering regulation, and pathogen resistance demonstrate the enormous potential of CRISPR-mediated breeding for horticultural improvement. However, several challenges, including low transformation efficiency, genotype-dependent regeneration, prolonged juvenile phases, polyploidy, and regulatory concerns, continue to limit its broader application in many horticultural species. This review summarizes recent progress in CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in horticultural crops, including strategies for guide RNA design, transformation, regeneration, development of transgene-free plants, and regulatory considerations. Furthermore, emerging advances such as precision editing technologies and improved delivery systems are discussed as promising approaches for enhancing editing efficiency and expanding future applications. Overall, CRISPR/Cas technologies hold substantial potential for accelerating the development of climate-resilient, high-quality, and nutritionally improved horticultural crops.
Prerna Srivastava, D. Singh, Rima Kumari et al.· Discover Plants· 0 citations
The application of genome editing, CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized plant breeding by enabling precise, efficient, and targeted modification of native genes, significantly accelerating the development of improved agronomic traits of crops. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas9 technology currently the most extensively used genome editing technique worldwide because of its simple design, cost-effectiveness, high efficiency, good reproducibility, high engineering feasibility, ability to create gene knockout, RNA editing, and quick cycle. It is used to knock in or knock out genes of interest and for generating models for genetic studies. The main components of the CRISPR/Cas9 system are an RNA-guided Cas9 endonuclease and a single-guide RNA (sgRNA). The workflow of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing comprises selecting target sites, designing and synthesizing sgRNA, introducing transformation constructs or ribonucleoprotein (RNP) in plant cells, followed by transformation and identification of edited lines. This approach bypasses the formal regulations on GMOs, thus encouraging the widespread adoption RNA-guided gene editing in agricultural sciences and biotechnology. The system is now being utilized in the biofortification of cereal crops such as rice, wheat, barley, and maize, including vegetable crops such as potato and tomato. The world's first genome-edited rice varieties are DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1 developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India in 2025 with the objective of bringing about revolutionary changes in terms of higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation. The CRISPR/Cas9-based crop genome editing has been utilized in imparting/producing qualitative enhancement in aroma, shelf life, sweetness, and quantitative improvement in starch, protein, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), oleic acid, anthocyanin, phytic acid, gluten, and steroidal glycoalkaloid contents. Some varieties have even been modified to become disease and stress-resistant. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas9 is aiding in developing climate-ready crops and improving crop quality parameters such as appearance, palatability, nutritional components, and other preferred traits. Gene editing tools are used to generate changes to the native genetic material. Unlike GMOs, which introduce novel configurations of genetic materials typically derived from other organisms, gene editing methods modify existing genetic material in ways that can yield beneficial outcomes.
Ravindra B. Malabadi, Raju K. Chalannavar· World Journal of Advanced Re...· 0 citations