Review

Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy

Volume: 11 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy

Abstract

Secondary metabolites are key biochemical compounds regulating plant defense mechanisms, ecological interactions, and environmental adaptation processes. Terpenoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and polyketides play roles in plant–microbe and plant–herbivore interactions while serving as sources of pharmacologically important compounds. Climate change, including increased temperature, altered precipitation, elevated CO₂, and UV-B radiation, affects plant metabolite biosynthesis. This review aims to examine the effects of climate change on secondary metabolism. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Results show that elevated CO₂ increases phenolics and flavonoids, while heat and drought stress enhance terpenoid and alkaloid biosynthesis via ROS-mediated signaling and transcription factors including MYB, bHLH, WRKY, and NAC families. UV-B radiation also increases flavonoid accumulation. In conclusion, climate change significantly affects plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis.

Keywords

References

  1. A, H. W.-F. A. & C. P., & 2011, undefined. (2011). Plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids: toxicity and problems. Taylor & FrancisH WiedenfeldFood Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2011•Taylor & Francis, 28(3), 282–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2010.541288
  2. Agati, G., & Tattini, M. (2010). Multiple functional roles of flavonoids in photoprotection. JSTORG Agati, M TattiniThe New Phytologist, 2010•JSTOR, 186(4), 786–793. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03269.x
  3. Anas, M., Basri, S., Chaurasiya, N., & Ali, M. (2026). Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Omics Techniques in Plant Defense: Recent Advancements and Future Prospects. 143–170. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800628649.0007
  4. Artemisinin production in Artemisia annua: studies in planta and results of a novel delivery method for treating malaria and other neglected diseases. (n.d.). SpringerPJ Weathers, PR Arsenault, PS Covello, A McMickle, KH Teoh, DW ReedPhytochemistry Reviews, 2011•Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10529-011-0517-0
  5. Assunção, M., Tedesco, S., & Fevereiro, P. (2021). Molecular aspects of grafting in woody plants. Wiley Online LibraryM Assunção, S Tedesco, P FevereiroAnnual Plant Reviews Online, 2018•Wiley Online Library, 4(1), 87–126. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119312994.apr0751
  6. Athanasiadou, C., & Theriou, G. (2021). Telework: systematic literature review and future research agenda. Cell.ComC Athanasiadou, G TheriouHeliyon, 2021•cell.Com, 7(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08165
  7. biotechnology, D. F.-A. microbiology and, & 2007, undefined. (n.d.). Taxanes: perspectives for biotechnological production. SpringerD FrenseApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2007•Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00253-006-0711-3
  8. Bistgani, Z. E., Hashemi, M., DaCosta, M., Craker, L., Maggi, F., & Morshedloo, M. R. (2019). Effect of salinity stress on the physiological characteristics, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus daenensis Celak. Industrial Crops and Products, 135, 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.04.055

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Analytical Biochemistry, Evolutionary Biology (Other), Basic Pharmacology, Medicinal Plants

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1

APA
Kuşkun, U. (2026). Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy. Health Academy Kastamonu, 11(1), 50-61. https://doi.org/10.25279/sak.1895917
AMA
1.Kuşkun U. Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy. HAK. 2026;11(1):50-61. doi:10.25279/sak.1895917
Chicago
Kuşkun, Ufuk. 2026. “Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy”. Health Academy Kastamonu 11 (1): 50-61. https://doi.org/10.25279/sak.1895917.
EndNote
Kuşkun U (April 1, 2026) Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy. Health Academy Kastamonu 11 1 50–61.
IEEE
[1]U. Kuşkun, “Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy”, HAK, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 50–61, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.25279/sak.1895917.
ISNAD
Kuşkun, Ufuk. “Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy”. Health Academy Kastamonu 11/1 (April 1, 2026): 50-61. https://doi.org/10.25279/sak.1895917.
JAMA
1.Kuşkun U. Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy. HAK. 2026;11:50–61.
MLA
Kuşkun, Ufuk. “Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy”. Health Academy Kastamonu, vol. 11, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 50-61, doi:10.25279/sak.1895917.
Vancouver
1.Ufuk Kuşkun. Climate-Driven Modulation of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Implications for Medicinal Quality, Standardization, and Therapeutic Efficacy. HAK. 2026 Apr. 1;11(1):50-61. doi:10.25279/sak.1895917

Health Academy Kastamonu is included in the class of 1-b journals (journals scanned in international indexes other than SCI, SSCI, SCI-expanded, ESCI) according to UAK associate professorship criteria. HEALTH ACADEMY KASTAMONU Journal cover is registered by the Turkish Patent Institute.