Author: scizentox

Prof. Bhuwal Ram: Professor and Former Head at Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences,Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

1. Article Details

The review article titled “Assessing impact of climate change on medicinal plants through yield decline, metabolite variability and range shifts” was published by Ekperna Dubey, Bhuwal Ram and Rajeev Bhatla in Discover Plants on 5 October 2026. It is an open-access review article in Volume 3, Article 437. The study focuses on how climate change affects medicinal plants through changes in growth, productivity, secondary metabolites and geographical distribution. Literature was collected from Scopus and Google Scholar using structured Boolean searches. The review brings together evidence concerning climate variability, plant productivity, phytochemical changes, habitat shifts, conservation and therapeutic reliability.

2. Novelty

The major novelty of this article is its integrated assessment of climate-change impacts on medicinal plants. Instead of considering plant survival or productivity alone, the review connects three important dimensions: yield decline, variation in secondary metabolites and geographical range shifts. It further connects these changes with the potential therapeutic reliability of medicinal plants. This integrated perspective provides a broader understanding of how climate change may affect not only the availability of medicinal plants but also their chemical quality and medicinal usefulness.

3. Impact

The article has significant scientific, ecological, pharmaceutical and healthcare relevance. Climate change may reduce the productivity of medicinal plants, alter their bioactive compounds and change their natural distribution. Such changes could affect the availability and consistency of medicinal raw materials. The review can therefore contribute to future research on herbal medicines, pharmacognosy, conservation biology and climate adaptation. It also highlights the possibility that climate-induced phytochemical variation could create challenges for the standardisation and quality control of plant-derived medicinal products.

4. Originality

The originality of the review lies mainly in its conceptual integration of plant growth, phytochemical composition and geographical distribution. The article moves beyond the conventional view that climate change threatens medicinal plants simply through population decline. It emphasises that even when a medicinal species survives, climate-related changes in its secondary metabolites could influence the quality and therapeutic reliability of the resulting medicinal material. The proposed vulnerability-based perspective also provides a useful basis for identifying medicinal plants that require greater conservation attention.

5. Experimental Rigor

As this is a review article rather than a primary experimental study, its scientific rigor depends mainly on the quality and organisation of the literature-selection and synthesis process. The authors used Scopus and Google Scholar and applied Boolean search strategies to retrieve relevant research. The multidisciplinary nature of the evidence strengthens the review because climate impacts on medicinal plants involve ecology, physiology, phytochemistry and geographical distribution. However, the study does not itself provide new laboratory experiments, field trials or original metabolomic data. More quantitative meta-analysis, formal risk-of-bias assessment and detailed reporting of study-selection procedures could further strengthen the evidence base.

6. Sustainability Impact

The article has strong sustainability implications because medicinal plants are important biological resources and healthcare materials. Climate change combined with unsustainable harvesting could accelerate the decline of vulnerable species. The review supports the need for climate-resilient cultivation, habitat conservation, sustainable harvesting, genetic-resource preservation and systematic monitoring of medicinal plants. Maintaining both plant populations and their medicinally important chemical characteristics is essential for long-term sustainability.

7. Applicability

The findings are applicable to medicinal-plant cultivation, herbal medicine production, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical research and biodiversity conservation. Cultivators can use climate-risk information to develop adaptation strategies, while the herbal and pharmaceutical industries can consider environmental variation when assessing raw-material quality. Conservation programmes can use climate vulnerability to prioritise threatened medicinal species. The framework may also help researchers design experiments investigating how temperature, precipitation, drought and other environmental factors influence bioactive compounds.

Research Portfolio

Prof. (Dr.) B. Ram, MD (Ay.), PhD, FNESA, is a Professor in the Department of Dravyaguna, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, and served as Head of the Department from 2021 to 2024. With extensive experience in Ayurveda education, research, academic administration, and professional service, he has contributed significantly to Dravyaguna, medicinal plants, pharmacognosy, phytochemical research, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and evidence-oriented Ayurvedic medicine. He has supervised PhD and MD (Ay.) scholars, served on numerous academic and examination committees, participated in national and international conferences, delivered invited lectures, and received several academic and professional honors.

Online Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Prof. (Dr.) B. Ram is associated with the Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, where he serves as Professor in the Department of Dravyaguna. His academic profile encompasses teaching, postgraduate and doctoral research supervision, publication, conference participation, academic leadership, examination responsibilities, curriculum and admission activities, and professional advisory roles. He has also served as an expert/adviser for bodies including the Union Public Service Commission and various Public Service Commissions and has represented Ayurveda and Dravyaguna in national and international academic forums.

Education

Prof. B. Ram completed his B.Sc. in 1993 from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur; BAMS in 2000 from S.S. University, Varanasi; M.D. (Ay.) in 2005 from C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur; and PhD in 2014 from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He has also completed a Diploma in Computer Applications (DCA) and attended UGC-sponsored Orientation and Refresher Courses, including an interdisciplinary Refresher Course in Ayurveda.

Research Focus

His major research interests include Dravyaguna Vigyan, medicinal plants, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, standardization and quality control of Ayurvedic drugs, ethnomedicine, herbal medicines, and experimental and clinical evaluation of Ayurvedic formulations. A substantial part of his research and supervision has focused on Madhumeha (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus), obesity and lifestyle disorders, metabolic disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, wound management, dermatological conditions, medicinal plant conservation, and traditional and tribal healthcare practices. His work also includes pharmacological investigations, phytochemical screening, phyto-fingerprinting, in-silico studies, and translational approaches to Ayurvedic medicine.

Experience

Prof. B. Ram has more than two decades of experience in Ayurveda education and academic administration, progressing from House Officer and Senior Resident to Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. He has served as Professor in the Department of Dravyaguna at BHU since 2018 and previously served as Head of the Department from June 2021 to May 2024. His administrative responsibilities have included Departmental Chairpersonships, Board of Examiners, Research and Staff Councils, Purchase and Anti-Plagiarism Committees, student advising, hostel administration, admissions, examinations, recruitment, pharmacovigilance, NSS, and numerous university and faculty committees.

Research Timeline & Activities

His research career spans work beginning with medicinal plant and Ayurvedic drug research in the late 2000s, followed by publications and presentations on Arjuna, Daruharidra, Punarnava, Haritaki, Shankhapushpi, medicinal plant standardization, ethnomedicine, and Ayurvedic pharmacology. From the mid-2010s onward, his research supervision expanded substantially into experimental and clinical studies on diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, medicinal plants, and Ayurvedic formulations, including Vidangadi Kwatha, Katankateryadi Kwatha, Triphaladi Kwatha, Sariva, Haritaki, Karveeradi Lepa, and other interventions. He has supervised/co-supervised multiple PhD and MD (Ay.) scholars, contributed to research projects, authored book chapters, participated in national and international conferences, presented research in Dubai and Bhutan in 2025, and continued academic research, examination, and scholarly activities through 2026.

Awards & Honors

Prof. B. Ram has received numerous academic, research, professional, and service honors, including the Best Program Officer Award (2014), New Ritambhara Award (2015), Bhim Ratna Award (2018), Mahima Ayurveda Excellence Scientist Award (2019), Academic Excellence Award (2020), Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award (2021), Asia’s Top-50 Academician Award (2021), Indian Achiever’s Award (2021–22), Academician of the Year Award (2022), Incredible Academician of India Award (2022), Young Academician Award (2022), NESA Distinguished Award (2023), Ayurved Bhushan Award (2023), NESA Fellowship of the Year (2023), Ayurved Shiksha Seva Samman (2023), International Excellent Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), Distinguished Researcher in Dravyaguna Award (2024), and Acharya Priyavrat Samman (2024). He also received appreciation for social and academic service, including recognition associated with blood donation activities and an international Best Academician Award in Bhutan in 2025.

Strengths for the Best Innovator Award

1. Innovative Integration of Ayurveda and Modern Scientific Research

Prof. (Dr.) B. Ram demonstrates a strong ability to integrate classical Ayurvedic knowledge with contemporary approaches such as pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, standardization, pharmacological evaluation, and evidence-based research. His work promotes scientific validation and modernization of traditional medicinal knowledge.

2. Innovation in Medicinal-Plant Research and Climate Resilience

His research increasingly addresses emerging challenges affecting medicinal plants, including climate change, phytochemical variability, productivity decline, conservation, and geographical range shifts. His integrated approach connects plant availability with the quality and therapeutic reliability of medicinal resources.

3. Development of Evidence-Based Approaches to Ayurvedic Medicine

His research on Madhumeha (diabetes), obesity, metabolic and lifestyle disorders, and Ayurvedic formulations reflects an innovative translational approach. By combining traditional formulations with experimental, clinical, phytochemical, phyto-fingerprinting and in-silico approaches, he contributes to evidence-oriented Ayurveda.

4. Innovation in Standardization and Quality Assurance of Herbal Medicines

His focus on medicinal-plant identification, pharmacognosy, phytochemical screening, standardization and quality control addresses a critical challenge in herbal medicine. These approaches can improve reproducibility, safety, consistency and scientific acceptability of Ayurvedic drugs and plant-derived medicinal products.

5. Innovation through Research Leadership, Mentorship and Knowledge Translation

As a senior academician, researcher and former Head of the Department of Dravyaguna at BHU, Prof. B. Ram has contributed to innovation not only through his own research but also by supervising postgraduate and doctoral scholars, fostering multidisciplinary research and translating Ayurvedic knowledge into contemporary scientific frameworks. His academic leadership and professional engagement strengthen the broader innovation ecosystem in Ayurveda.

Dr. Mohammad Faheem Khan: Associate Professor at Era University Lucknow-226003, India

Article Details

The article titled “Simultaneous Quantitation of Bioactive Compounds in Different Varieties of Arachis hypogaea L. Using Liquid Chromatography/ESI Mass Spectrometry: A Chemometric Approach” was published in Chromatographia, Volume 87, pages 773–784, on 30 September 2024. The study was conducted by Shiv Nandan, Mohd Amish Khan, Mohsin Ali Khan, Vijaya Shukla, Madhumita Srivastava, and Mohammad Faheem Khan. The research investigated bioactive compounds in the seed coat, seed skin, and seed pulp of four peanut varieties collected from different geographical locations in India. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was employed for simultaneous quantification, followed by chemometric analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The analytical method was validated according to ICH guidelines and showed excellent linearity, with a concentration range of 0.019–20.0 ng/mL and R² = 0.999. The reported LOD, LOQ, and precision values demonstrated good sensitivity and reproducibility. PCA showed that luteolin and rutin contributed strongly to differentiation among the peanut varieties.

Novelty

The novelty of this research lies in the combination of targeted UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis with chemometric evaluation for the differentiation of peanut varieties. Instead of studying only the edible seed pulp, the researchers examined three different seed components, allowing comparison of bioactive compounds across the seed coat, seed skin, and seed pulp. The simultaneous quantification of multiple bioactive compounds provides a comprehensive chemical profile of the varieties. The incorporation of PCA further increases the value of the study because it identifies compounds that contribute to differences among varieties. The identification of luteolin and rutin as important variables provides a potential chemical basis for distinguishing peanut varieties.

Impact

The research has significance for food chemistry, agricultural research, analytical chemistry, nutraceutical development, and peanut quality assessment. The validated analytical method can contribute to the accurate measurement of bioactive compounds in peanut materials. The results may support the identification of peanut varieties with desirable phytochemical characteristics and could assist future research on functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients. The study also draws attention to the chemical value of seed coat and seed skin, which are often less utilized than the edible portion. The chemometric approach provides an additional tool for characterizing peanut varieties based on their chemical composition.

Originality

The originality of the work is primarily associated with the integrated use of quantitative LC-MS/MS and chemometric analysis for peanut-variety characterization. Although LC-MS/MS and PCA are established analytical approaches, their application together to compare bioactive-compound profiles in different tissues of Indian peanut varieties provides a useful research framework. The study goes beyond simple measurement of individual metabolites by examining the overall chemical pattern and determining which compounds contribute to varietal differentiation. The simultaneous consideration of seed coat, seed skin, and seed pulp further adds originality to the experimental design.

Experimental Rigor

The study demonstrates good analytical rigor through systematic method validation according to ICH guidelines. The calibration range of 0.019–20.0 ng/mL and R² value of 0.999 indicate strong linear detector response. The reported LOD of 0.075–0.426 ng/mL and LOQ of 0.227–1.292 ng/mL demonstrate good sensitivity for the targeted compounds. Intra-day and inter-day precision values below 2% RSD indicate good repeatability and reproducibility. The use of UPLC-ESI-MS/MS provides high analytical sensitivity and selectivity, while PCA provides a multivariate assessment of the chemical data. Together, these features strengthen the reliability of the reported analytical results.

Sustainability Impact

The sustainability relevance of the research is mainly associated with the potential utilization of peanut seed coat and seed skin. These fractions may contain valuable bioactive compounds and could potentially be developed into sources of functional ingredients rather than being treated only as processing residues. Such utilization could contribute to a circular bioeconomy by increasing the value obtained from agricultural materials. The simultaneous analytical method may also make chemical characterization more efficient by allowing several compounds to be evaluated within a single analytical workflow. However, the article does not directly establish reductions in energy use, waste generation, carbon emissions, or other environmental impacts, so these sustainability benefits should be considered potential rather than experimentally demonstrated.

Applicability

The analytical approach has potential applications in peanut quality assessment, variety characterization, food authentication, nutraceutical research, and phytochemical screening. It could be applied to compare larger collections of peanut germplasm and identify varieties with desirable concentrations of particular bioactive compounds. The approach may also be useful for studying differences caused by geographical location, cultivation conditions, processing, or storage. Analysis of seed coat and seed skin could support future efforts to recover valuable phytochemicals from peanut-processing materials. The methodology could therefore serve as a foundation for subsequent research in food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and functional-food applications.

Research Portfolio

Dr. Mohd Faheem Khan is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Biotechnology at Era University, Lucknow, with extensive academic, research, and teaching experience in natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry. He earned his PhD from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, and has pursued postdoctoral and research assignments at Lucknow University and HNB Garhwal University. His research career spans more than 15 years and includes scientific research, postgraduate and doctoral supervision, sophisticated analytical instrumentation, academic administration, and scientific publication.

Online Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Dr. Mohd Faheem Khan, PhD, JRF, DS Kothari Fellow, is an Associate Professor in the Chemistry Division, Department of Biotechnology, Era University, Lucknow. His research interests include natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry. He has published 107 scholarly works, including 82 research/review articles and 25 books/book chapters, with 1,959 total citations, an h-index of 25, and an i10-index of 61. Since 2021, his work has received 1,536 citations, with an h-index of 22 and an i10-index of 53. He is also associated with several professional scientific societies and serves in editorial and academic advisory roles.

Education

Dr. Khan completed his PhD through research at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, with the degree awarded in 2013 by Dr. RML Avadh University, Faizabad, India. His academic and research training also includes the Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship at Lucknow University from 2014 to 2017 and a Research Associate position at HNB Garhwal University during 2013–2014. Earlier in his professional career, he worked as a Trainee Research Associate at Jubilant Chemsys Pvt. Ltd., Noida, from June to November 2007.

Research Focus

Dr. Khan’s principal research interests encompass natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry, with his broader research experience involving chemical and pharmaceutical research. His work is supported by expertise in sophisticated analytical instrumentation and research facilities, including ICP-MS, LC-MS/MS, and UHPLC, along with experience in spray drying and lyophilization for bulk-level production. His research activities also extend to interdisciplinary areas connecting chemistry, biotechnology, pharmacological research, bioinformatics, and drug discovery.

Experience

Dr. Khan has served as Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Biotechnology at Era University since 2017, where he has been involved in teaching, research, student supervision, academic administration, and laboratory management. From 2014 to 2017, he worked in the Department of Chemistry at Lucknow University as a Dr. D.S. Kothari Fellow, while during 2013–2014 he served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at HNB Garhwal University. His earlier research experience includes PhD research at CDRI from 2008 to 2013 and industrial research training at Jubilant Chemsys Pvt. Ltd., Noida.

Research Timeline & Activities

Dr. Khan’s research timeline began with industrial research training in 2007, followed by doctoral research at CDRI from 2008–2013, postdoctoral research at HNB Garhwal University during 2013–2014, and the Dr. D.S. Kothari Fellowship at Lucknow University from 2014–2017. Since 2017, he has continued his research at Era University, where he has supervised two awarded PhD scholars, six ongoing PhD students, six completed postgraduate dissertations, and 15 undergraduate trainees. He has participated in conferences through oral and poster presentations, delivered invited lectures, chaired sessions, organized academic events, and contributed to extramural and intramural research projects. Since 2019, he has also served as Faculty-In-charge of the Central Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility, while undertaking additional responsibilities related to spray drying, lyophilization, academic committees, and facility management.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Khan has received several academic and professional recognitions, including the Indian Men Icon Award 2026 for contributions to education and research, recognition among the world’s top 5% scientists in the 2026 profile information provided, the Global Scientist Award 2021 at the 3rd International Conference GIAFAS-2021, the Best Oral Presentation Award at the National Conference on Recent Approaches and Innovations in Chemical Sciences in 2018, and the Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by UGC in 2014. He has also served in several professional and editorial capacities, including scientific advisor, editorial board member, review editor, and Bentham Ambassador.

Strengths for the Best Innovator Award

1. Innovative Research

Dr. Mohd Faheem Khan has demonstrated innovation through the integration of natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry, computational chemistry, and biotechnology. His research on peanut varieties combined UPLC-ESI-MS/MS with chemometric analysis to identify and quantify bioactive compounds. The identification of luteolin and rutin as important compounds for differentiating peanut varieties highlights the innovative application of analytical chemistry and chemometrics (Nandan et al., 2024).

2. Advanced Analytical Expertise

Dr. Khan has strong expertise in LC-MS/MS, UHPLC, ICP-MS, and other sophisticated analytical techniques. His Chromatographia study reported excellent analytical performance, including a linearity of R² = 0.999, low LOD and LOQ values, and precision below 2% RSD. These results demonstrate his ability to develop sensitive, accurate, and reproducible analytical methods for complex biological samples (Nandan et al., 2024).

3. Practical and Translational Impact

His research has potential applications in food science, nutraceuticals, agriculture, natural-product research, and pharmaceutical development. The investigation of peanut seed coat, seed skin, and seed pulp provides opportunities for the future utilization of bioactive compounds from agricultural materials. His research therefore connects fundamental scientific investigation with potential real-world applications (Nandan et al., 2024).

4. Interdisciplinary Research and Mentorship

Dr. Khan’s research combines chemistry, biotechnology, analytical science, pharmacological research, bioinformatics, and drug discovery. In addition to research, he contributes to doctoral and postgraduate supervision, sophisticated instrumentation facilities, academic activities, and research training. His role in developing young researchers strengthens institutional research capacity and supports continued innovation (Era University Faculty Profile).

5. Sustained Research Excellence

Dr. Khan has developed a sustained research career through experience at CDRI, HNB Garhwal University, Lucknow University, and Era University. His research publications, citations, fellowships, awards, student supervision, scientific presentations, and professional responsibilities demonstrate continued scientific contribution. His combination of research expertise, advanced instrumentation, interdisciplinary work, and knowledge transfer provides strong evidence of sustained innovation (Era University Faculty Profile; UGC D.S. Kothari Fellowship).

Total Citations

Total citations: 1,959
h-index: 25
i10-index: 61
Citations since 2021: 1,536
h-index since 2021: 22
i10-index since 2021: 53