Advances in molecular breeding of medicinal plants

Abstract Medicinal plants are rich in bioactive constituents and are extensively utilized in the healthcare sector, holding significant value for both industrial and daily applications. In the context of economic development and escalating environmental challenges, there is an increasing societal demand for medicinal plants with superior quality and enhanced environmental adaptability. Molecular breeding is emerging as a pivotal strategy for the genetic improvement of medicinal plants. Given that traditional breeding methods are often constrained by low efficiency and lengthy developmental cycles, the necessity for innovative approaches is underscored. Advancements in modern molecular breeding technologies, such as marker-assisted breeding, genetic engineering, and molecular design breeding, have revolutionized the paradigm of medicinal plant breeding. This article reviews the research progress in molecular breeding of medicinal plants, encompassing its characteristics, advantages, technical classifications and applications. Based on these advancements, we discuss the major challenges and future prospects in this field. It is evident that the rapid evolution of molecular breeding holds substantial potential for facilitating plant genetic improvement and effectively addressing the growing societal demands for high-quality medicinal plants.