Research progress in biosynthesis and synthetic biology of active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi based on multi-omics approach

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a common kind of traditional Chinese medicine; it promotes heat-clearing and detoxification and has been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019. Scutellaria baicalensis contains a unique group of flavonoids that are largely distributed within the Scutellaria species. As such, there is significant interest in research focused on the metabolic pathways that promote endogenous flavonoid production and methods that might be used for their in vitro biosynthesis. However, as is the case with various Chinese medicinal herbs, there are still many challenges to overcome including shortage of wild resources, degradation associated with the cultivated germplasm, and instability leading to uneven product quality. The use of a multiomics approach will provide genetic information as well as insights into the endogenous mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis and their regulation, thus promoting frontier research and practical application of traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we presented a systematic review of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics associated with S. baicalensis ; our current understanding of the functional genes that promote biosynthesis in vivo as well as the methods that facilitate the in vitro biosynthesis of active compounds are summarized. We also discussed the critical factors associated with further development of S. baicalensis including the cultivation of enriched varieties through genome-assisted breeding, regulatory mechanisms associated with plant growth and development, and optimization of conditions that promote biosynthesis of active compounds both in vivo and in vitro . This review provides a foundation for determining effective solutions for issues associated with the cultivation of S. baicalensis and for the production of high quality products.