Environmental factors on secondary metabolism in medicinal plants: exploring accelerating factors

Medicinal plants are vital in synthesizing crucial substrates, fortifying stress resilience, and serving clinical and industrial domains. The optimization of pharmacological potential necessitates a nuanced understanding of the factors governing the synthesis of secondary metabolites sourced from plants. Cultivation success hinges upon many factors dictating the production of these vital compounds. Biotic factors, encompassing pathogens and herbivores, alongside abiotic factors such as light exposure, altitude, temperature variations, irrigation patterns, soil fertility, drought susceptibility, and salinity levels, collectively orchestrate medicinal plants' growth, development, and metabolic pathways. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay of factors influencing the formation of secondary metabolites, exploring the roles of endophytes, pathogens, light availability, temperature fluctuations, drought stress, pollution impacts, and plant growth regulators. Grasping the dynamics of these factors is imperative for devising strategic interventions to enhance secondary metabolite production, thereby ensuring the sustainable and efficient cultivation of medicinal plants.