Interplay of ethylene and polyamines in plant growth, development and stress responses

• Ocimum sanctum is a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse pharmacological properties. • Key metabolites such as rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, luteolin, ursolic acid, and limonene contribute to its therapeutic potential against multiple disorders. • High demand and low natural production of secondary metabolites highlight the need for modern biotechnological interventions to enhance yield. • Docking and in silico studies provide new insights into drug discovery from O. sanctum , identifying potential leads for safer and more effective therapeutics. The complex transition from juvenile stage to maturity in plant’s life cycle consists of development, reproduction, and senescence of its primary organs and involves various molecular processes. Ethylene and polyamines (PAs) along with other plant hormones play a crucial role in promoting various signals and enabling the emergence of conditions that are conducive to stage development, and successful reproduction. Additionally, during their entire lifespan, plants encounter several environmental challenges and to counteract such adverse conditions, they develop defense strategies that are regulated by phytohormones. The longevity of plants is either directly or indirectly regulated by shifts in the levels of ethylene and PAs, their perception, and crosstalk. As PAs deficiency or overabundance might be harmful to cell survival, thus PAs homeostasis must be strictly regulated. Plants regulate PAs biosynthesis, catabolism and its transport to maintain homeostasis. Present study focused on biosynthesis and signaling of ethylene and PAs, and their role in plant growth at different developmental stages. An attempt is made to fill in the knowledge gaps and offer a critical evaluation of current research on function of ethylene and PAs in plant development and stress responses. Knowing how ethylene and PAs regulate the growth of plants have important implications for agriculture and sustainable growth.