Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Biomater Adv. 2024 Oct 25;167:214087. doi: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.214087.
Online  ahead of print.

Electricallymodified bacterial cellulose tailored with plant based green 
materials for infected wound healing applications.

Adhikari M(1), Bakadia BM(2), Wang L(3), Li Y(2), Shi Z(4), Yang G(5).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
(2)Innovation Research Center for AIE Pharmaceutical Biology, Guangzhou 
Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and 
Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease 
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Guangzhou 
Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China.
(3)Wuhan Branch of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 
Wuhan 430071, China.
(4)Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic 
address: shizhijun@hust.edu.cn.
(5)Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic 
address: gyang-hust@hust.edu.cn.

Effective treatment of infected wounds remains a challenge due to the rise of 
antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The development of advanced materials with 
strong antimicrobial properties is necessary to address this issue. In this 
study, a unique composite of electrically modified bacterial cellulose (EBC) 
with allantoin (ABC) and zein was developed by dipping diffusion method. 
Morphological structural analysis revealed a uniform distribution of zein and 
aligned fibers, confirming the synthesis of the ABC-Zein composite. The 
formation of ABC-Zein was further confirmed by attenuated total 
reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), which displayed additional 
peaks corresponding to EBC, indicating the incorporation of zein into ABC. X-ray 
diffraction (XRD) analysis of ABC-Zein demonstrated a similar crystalline 
structure with EBC. The ABC-Zein showed mechanical integrity (tensile strength: 
1.15 ± 0.21 MPa), thermal stability (degradation temperature: 290 °C), porous 
structure (porosity: 40.23 ± 0.21 %), and hydrophilic (water contact angle: 
53.3 ± 5.3°) properties. Furthermore, the antimicrobial agent terpinen-4-ol 
(T4O), derived from tea tree oil, was incorporated into the ABC-Zein composite. 
Biological studies confirmed the antimicrobial efficacy (Staphylococcus aureus 
inhibition: 88.5 ± 7.19 %) and biocompatible (cell viability: 84.95 ± 5.6 %, 
hemolysis: 4.479 ± 0.39 %) nature of the T4O-ABC-Zein composite. The combined 
effects of the aligned fiber structure, zein protein, and antimicrobial T4O 
significantly enhanced infected wound healing by day 7, promoting inflammatory 
response, granular tissue formation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. By 
day 14, T4O-ABC-Zein facilitated complete wound healing, with reepithelization, 
collagen I deposition, and downregulation of CD 31, Ki67, and α-SMA. Overall, 
the innovative T4O-ABC-Zein composite, with an aligned fiber structure, improved 
biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties, holds significant potential for 
the treatment of infected wounds.

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.214087
PMID: 39481142

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors 
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal 
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this 
paper.


2. EFSA J. 2024 Oct 28;22(10):e9026. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9026. eCollection 
2024 Oct.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived 
from leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) 
Cheel (tea tree oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP); 
Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, 
Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, 
Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bastos ML, Brantom P, Chesson A, 
Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P.

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a 
scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of tea tree oil obtained from 
leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel 
when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on 
Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that 
tea tree oil was very unlikely to be of safety concern for long-living and 
reproductive animals and is of no concern for target species for fattening at 
the following concentrations in complete feed: 1.1 mg/kg for chickens for 
fattening, 1.5 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 1.7 mg/kg for laying hens, 2.0 
mg/kg for piglets, 2.4 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 3.1 mg/kg for sows, 5.0 
mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer) and salmonids, 4.4 mg/kg for cattle for 
fattening, sheep/goats and horses, 2.9 mg/kg for dairy cows, 1.8 mg/kg for 
rabbits, 0.9 mg/kg for cats, 5.3 mg/kg for dogs, 6.6 for crustaceans and 15 
mg/kg for ornamental fish. These conclusions were extrapolated to other 
physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is very 
unlikely to be of safety concern at 1.1 mg/kg complete feed. No concerns for 
consumers and the environment were identified following the use of the additive 
up to the highest safe use level in feed. Regarding user safety, tea tree oil 
should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes and as a dermal and 
respiratory sensitiser. It is classified as a reprotoxic substance (category 1B) 
following CLP criteria and should be handled accordingly. Since M. alternifolia 
and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed 
would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of 
efficacy was considered necessary.

© 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH 
on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.

DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9026
PMCID: PMC11513608
PMID: 39469429

Conflict of interest statement: If you wish to access the declaration of 
interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please 
contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu.


3. Food Chem. 2024 Oct 16;464(Pt 2):141660. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141660. 
Online ahead of print.

Tea tree essential oil and its impact on blue mold, volatile compounds, and 
postharvest quality of 'Fuji' apples: A study of laboratory-extracted and 
commercial essential oils.

da Silva JC(1), Steffens CA(2), Alves JAV(2), Moreira MA(2), do Amarante CVT(2), 
Casa RT(3), Espíndola BP(4), Bortoluzzi AL(4).

Author information:
(1)Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), College of Agricultural and 
Veterinary Sciences (CAV), Department of Agronomy, Postharvest Physiology and 
Technology Laboratory, Lages, (SC), Brazil. Electronic address: 
janaiana2@hotmail.com.
(2)Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), College of Agricultural and 
Veterinary Sciences (CAV), Department of Agronomy, Postharvest Physiology and 
Technology Laboratory, Lages, (SC), Brazil.
(3)Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), College of Agricultural and 
Veterinary Sciences (CAV), Department of Agronomy, Phytopathology Laboratory, 
Lages, (SC), Brazil.
(4)Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (IFC), Department of Agronomy, Santa Rosa 
do Sul, (SC), Brazil.

This study evaluated the effects of tea tree essential oil (TTO) on blue mold 
severity, volatile compound profiles, and postharvest quality of 'Fuji' apples 
during cold storage. Two experiments were conducted using laboratory-extracted 
TTO from Brazil and commercial TTO from Australia, applied by vaporization at 
various concentrations. Both types of TTO affected major volatile compounds, 
including terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, and α-terpinene. The laboratory-extracted 
TTO had higher of 1,8-cineole, while commercial TTO had more p-cymene. TTO 
reduced blue mold severity up to 115 μL L-1 (laboratory) and 99 μL L-1 
(commercial). Ethylene production decreased with laboratory-extracted TTO up to 
64 μL L-1, while commercial TTO decreased ethylene production. Laboratory TTO 
increased the respiratory up to 41 μL L-1 before declining, whereas commercial 
TTO continuously decreased the respiratory. Higher concentrations of laboratory 
TTO decreased flesh firmness and lightness.TTO types altered the apples' 
volatile profiles, reducing 'Fuji' apple aromas.

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141660
PMID: 39461311

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors 
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal 
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this 
paper.


4. Plants (Basel). 2024 Oct 10;13(20):2834. doi: 10.3390/plants13202834.

Chemical Composition, Enantiomeric Distribution, and Physical Properties of the 
Fruit Essential Oil from Zanthoxylum lepidopteriphilum (Reynel) Rutaceae from 
Ecuador.

Morocho V(1), Aguilar Y(1), Cruz C(1), Cumbicus N(2), Andrade JM(1)(3), 
Montalvan M(1).

Author information:
(1)Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110150, 
Ecuador.
(2)Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica 
Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador.
(3)Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), 
Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, 
Tenerife, Spain.

The essential oil was obtained by steam distillation, using a Clevenger 
apparatus, from the pericarp of the fruit of Zanthoxylum lepidopteriphilum from 
Ecuador. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by gas 
chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization 
detection (GC-FID) on two capillary columns with non-polar DB-5ms and a polar 
HP-INNOWax stationary phase. Thirty-three components were identified, accounting 
for 99.62% and 99.30% total essential oil. The essential oil was dominated by 
oxygenated monoterpenes (90.21-89.21%), respectively. The main constituents of 
the essential oil were α-thujone (70.26-70.38%), β-thujone (10.78-10.90%), 
terpinen-4-ol (4.15-4.06%), and sabinene (3.60-4.02%). Enantioselective analysis 
by GC was realized on a β-cyclodextrin-based chiral column 
(2,3-diethyl-6-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-cyclodextrin) in this analysis, 
determining three couples of enantiomers, which exhibited the compound 
(1R,4S,5S)-(+)-α-thujone with an enantiomeric excess of 84.40%.

DOI: 10.3390/plants13202834
PMCID: PMC11510802
PMID: 39458781

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.


5. J Fungi (Basel). 2024 Sep 27;10(10):675. doi: 10.3390/jof10100675.

Antifungal Activity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) Essential Oils 
against the Main Onychomycosis-Causing Dermatophytes.

Mingorance Álvarez E(1), Villar Rodríguez J(2), López Ripado O(3), Mayordomo 
R(3).

Author information:
(1)Department of Physiology, University Centre of Mérida, University of 
Extremadura, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz, Spain.
(2)Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of 
Health Sciences, University of Castilla la Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, 
Toledo, Spain.
(3)Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University Centre of 
Plasencia, University of Extremadura, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain.

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects the nails and accounts 
for approximately 50% of all nail diseases. The main pathogens involved include 
dermatophytes, such as Trichophyton rubrum, members of the T. mentagrophytes 
complex, and emerging pathogens in this infection, T. schoenleinii and T. 
tonsurans. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) essential oil (EO) has been 
proposed as a promising natural alternative to traditional treatments due to its 
antimicrobial properties. Among its more than 100 compounds, terpinen-4-ol is 
one of the main contributors to the antifungal action of this EO. To determine 
the antifungal activity of tea tree EO against dermatophytes, we designed an in 
vitro study using EUCAST-AFST protocols to obtain the values of MIC (minimum 
inhibitory concentration) and MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration) of several 
commercial M. alternifolia Cheel EOs against three species of dermatophytes 
isolated from clinical samples with suspected toenail onychomycosis. The results 
showed that the microorganism most sensitive to the action of the EO was T. 
rubrum, which had an MIC value more than 13 times lower than the value obtained 
for T. schoenleinii (0.4% v/v), the most resistant isolate. No differences in 
antifungal activity were observed by the analysed EOs or between the MIC and MFC 
values. These in vitro results suggest that tea tree EO is a viable option for 
the alternative treatment of onychomycosis, although clinical studies are needed 
to confirm the long-term antifungal activity, safety and efficacy of the oils 
studied in a clinical context.

DOI: 10.3390/jof10100675
PMCID: PMC11508421
PMID: 39452627

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.