Medicinal plant stem cells are emerging as a transformative resource in various industries, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to cosmetics, according to a recent article published in Engineering. These undifferentiated cells, found in meristematic tissues of plants, possess the remarkable ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types. This makes them crucial for plant growth, development, and regeneration. The article, titled “Medicinal Plant Stem Cells: Unlocking Potential in the Genomics Era,” highlights the significant applications of these cells across multiple sectors.

In agriculture and plant breeding, medicinal plant stem cells enhance plant regeneration, propagation, and stress tolerance against adverse environmental conditions such as drought, disease, and extreme temperatures. In the cosmetics and skincare industries, plant stem cells, particularly those derived from apples (Malus domestica), grapes (Vitis vinifera), and edelweisses (Leontopodium alpinum), are valued for their high antioxidant content and regenerative properties. These properties make them popular ingredients in anti-aging and skin repair formulations. In medicine and biotechnology, plant stem cells have the potential to produce plant-derived pharmaceuticals and bioengineered compounds, supporting sustainable drug synthesis without relying on large-scale farming.

The article emphasizes that medicinal plant stem cells offer immense potential in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and skincare. These cells can regenerate, proliferate, and differentiate into various specialized cells while retaining high concentrations of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Unlike traditional plant extraction methods, stem cell technology enables sustainable and controlled production of valuable medicinal compounds without harming the plant population. This makes it an eco-friendly alternative to wild harvesting.

One notable example is the use of stem cells from Tripterygium wilfordii, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. Another example is Catharanthus roseus, valued for its anticancer properties. In the cosmetic and skincare industries, medicinal plant stem cells contribute to anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, and repair formulations because of their ability to stimulate collagen synthesis, protect against oxidative stress, and promote cell regeneration.

The article also discusses the challenges and future perspectives in plant stem cell research. One of the key challenges is the incomplete understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, difficulties in isolating and culturing these cells, and challenges in directing their differentiation. Efficient large-scale production remains hindered by genetic instability, scalability issues, and high costs associated with bioreactor systems. Regulatory and ethical concerns, particularly for genetically modified applications, also impact commercialization.

Despite these challenges, advancements in genomics, spatial omics, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, and synthetic biology hold promise for overcoming these limitations and expanding the potential applications of plant stem cells in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. For example, the development of single-cell isolation technology using specific molecular probes or CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene markers could improve the efficiency and purity of plant stem cell isolation.

The article points out that by highlighting the importance of understanding gene regulation in plant stem cells. This involves interconnected transcriptional networks, transcription factors, signal transduction pathways, and kinase-mediated modifications that ensure stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and adaptation to environmental conditions. By leveraging advanced sequencing technologies, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics, researchers can elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms governing stem cell function, differentiation, and regeneration. This knowledge can lead to precise manipulation of plant growth, development, and stress responses, ultimately revolutionizing the development of plant-derived medicines and cosmeceuticals.

The paper “Medicinal Plant Stem Cells: Unlocking Potential in the Genomics Era,” is authored by Ranran Gao, Yuhua Shi, Yuanzhu Liu, Ling Yuan, Li Xiang. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.05.009. For more information about Engineering, visit the website at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering.