Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. BMC Immunol. 2024 Oct 17;25(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s12865-024-00655-7.

High glucose condition aggravates inflammatory response induced by Porphyromonas 
gingivalis in THP-1 macrophages via autophagy inhibition.

Song Y(#)(1)(2), Kwon JJ(#)(3), Na HS(1)(2), Kim SY(1)(2), Shin SH(#)(4)(5), 
Chung J(#)(6)(7).

Author information:
(1)Oral Genomics Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic 
of Korea.
(2)Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National 
University, Yangsan, 50162, Republic of Korea.
(3)Department of Dentistry, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, 
Republic of Korea.
(4)Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Institute, 
Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, 50162, Republic of Korea. 
ssh8080@pusan.ac.kr.
(5)Dental and Life Science Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic 
of Korea. ssh8080@pusan.ac.kr.
(6)Oral Genomics Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic 
of Korea. jchung@pusan.ac.kr.
(7)Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National 
University, Yangsan, 50162, Republic of Korea. jchung@pusan.ac.kr.
(#)Contributed equally

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonase gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a type of bacteria that 
causes periodontitis, which is strongly correlated with systemic diseases such 
as diabetes. However, the effect of hyperglycemia on periodontitis are unclear. 
The present study examined the effects of high glucose levels on the response to 
P. gingivalis infection.
RESULTS: The expression of P. gingivalis-induced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and 
inflammasomes increased as the glucose concentration increased. High glucose 
conditions suppressed P. gingivalis-induced autophagy in human acute monocytic 
leukemia cell line (THP-1) macrophages. Zingerone increased autophagy and 
alleviated P. gingivalis-induced inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophages 
under high glucose conditions. In addition, P. gingivalis- induced inflammation 
in bone marrow-derived macrophages of diabetic mice was higher than in wild-type 
mice, but a zingerone treatment decreased the levels. Alveolar bone loss due to 
a P. gingivalis infection was significantly higher in diabetic mice than in 
wild-type mice.
CONCLUSIONS: High-glucose conditions aggravated the inflammatory response to P. 
gingivalis infection by suppressing of autophagy, suggesting that autophagy 
induction could potentially to treat periodontitis in diabetes. Zingerone has 
potential use as a treatment for periodontal inflammation induced by P. 
gingivalis in diabetes patients.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1186/s12865-024-00655-7
PMCID: PMC11484236
PMID: 39415131 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.


2. Heliyon. 2024 Sep 7;10(18):e37493. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37493. 
eCollection 2024 Sep 30.

Optimization, molecular dynamics and quantum parameters simulations of Zingiber 
officinale rhizome as a green corrosion inhibitor.

Samson Olanrele O(1), Femi-Dagunro J(1), Andrew Ofudje E(1), Algarni M(2), 
Al-Ghamdi AA(3), Aldahiri RH(3), Alrahili MR(4), Alsaiari AA(5).

Author information:
(1)Department of Chemical Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ogun State, 
Nigeria.
(2)Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Baha University, Alaqiq, 
65779-7738, Saudi Arabia.
(3)Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 
21959, Saudi Arabia.
(4)Physics Department, School of Science, Taibah University, Medina, 42353, 
Saudi Arabia.
(5)Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical 
Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

This study combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate 
ginger root extract (GRE) as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel 
in acidic environments at temperatures ranging from 303 to 333 K. Experimental 
techniques, including weight loss measurements, were used to assess the 
inhibiting performance and adsorption behavior of GRE, while GC-MS, FT-IR, and 
UV-visible spectrophotometric methods provided further characterization. Results 
indicated that the inhibition efficiency of GRE increased with higher 
concentrations and decreased with temperature, highlighting its potential to 
effectively prevent corrosion in H2SO4 medium. GC-MS analysis identified four 
major phenolic compounds-6-gingerol, 6-isoshogaol, zingerone, and vanillyl 
glycol-and two secondary metabolites, α-Farnesene and β-Bisabolene. Among these, 
6-gingerol, the most active and abundant constituent, was selected for 
computational studies. Optimal corrosion inhibition of 81.3 % was achieved at 
303 K with a GRE concentration of 10 g/L for 1 h. Thermodynamic activation 
parameters suggested a temperature-dependent process, and alignment with the 
Langmuir isotherm indicated a physical adsorption mechanism. Quantum chemical 
calculations for 6-gingerol revealed highest occupied molecular orbital energy 
(EHOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO) values of 
-6.286 eV and -0.366 eV, respectively, in its protonated state, and -8.338 eV 
and -0.247 eV, respectively, in its neutral state. Molecular simulations showed 
a binding affinity of -4.736 kJ/mol between 6-gingerol and the steel surface, 
supporting the experimental findings and underscoring the potential of GRE as an 
effective corrosion inhibitor.

© 2024 The Authors.

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37493
PMCID: PMC11425100
PMID: 39328510

Conflict of interest statement: 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.


3. Int Immunopharmacol. 2024 Dec 5;142(Pt B):113198. doi: 
10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113198. Epub 2024 Sep 20.

Zingerone attenuates concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury by restricting 
inflammatory responses.

Liu Z(1), Yan F(2), Zhang H(2), Wang L(3), Zhao Y(2), Zhao H(2), Li C(2), Dai 
J(2), Yu B(4), Xiong H(5), Zhang J(6).

Author information:
(1)School of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 271016, 
China; Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical 
University, Jining 272067, China.
(2)Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, 
Jining 272067, China; Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical 
University, Jining 272067, China.
(3)Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, Shandong, 
China.
(4)College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Jining Medical 
University, Jining 272067, China.
(5)Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, 
Jining 272067, China. Electronic address: xionghbl@163.com.
(6)Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, 
Jining 272067, China. Electronic address: zjfart001@163.com.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), an immune-mediated liver injury, plays an important 
role in the development and pathogenesis of several liver diseases. However, 
therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of AIH remain limited. Zingerone 
(ZIN) is a natural non-toxic phenolic compound extracted from ginger that 
possesses various pharmacological activities. Thus, this study aimed to 
investigate the effect of ZIN on AIH using a mouse model of acute liver injury 
induced by concanavalin A (Con A). To establish liver injury, C57BL/6J mice were 
intraperitoneally administered ZIN, followed by 20 mg/kg Con A after 3 h. 
Thereafter, the liver and serum were collected for analysis. The results 
revealed that ZIN pretreatment significantly suppressed the elevation of liver 
injury markers induced by Con A exposure and improved the survival of mice. 
Additionally, ZIN significantly ameliorated liver histopathological injury, 
hepatocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Notably, ZIN inhibited hepatic M1 
macrophage polarization and decreased the expression of M1 macrophage-associated 
pro-inflammatory genes and cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-12, 
IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blotting analysis indicated 
that ZIN inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular receptor kin, c-Jun 
N-terminal kinase, and p65 in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that 
ZIN exerts a protective effect in the Con A-induced acute liver injury model by 
inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and suppressing NF-κB, mitogen-activated 
protein kinase, and interferon regulatory factor signaling pathways. This 
highlights the possibility of using ZIN as a safe drug for the treatment of 
liver injury and provides a novel therapeutic direction for clinical studies on 
liver diseases.

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113198
PMID: 39305891 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2024 Aug 12. doi: 10.1111/ics.13000. Online ahead of print.

Acetyl zingerone methyl ether protects hair against oxidative damage incurred 
during and after treatment with permanent dyes and helps extend longevity of 
newly developed hair colour.

Chaudhuri RK(1), Meyer TA(2), Blinder R(1), Vethamuthu M(1), George V(3), 
Adeniyi AA(4)(5), Manhas N(5), Singh P(5).

Author information:
(1)Sytheon, Parsippany, New Jersey, USA.
(2)Meyer Sun & Skin Care Consulting, LLC, Germantown, Tennessee, USA.
(3)Simply Formulas, Rockwall, Texas, USA.
(4)Department of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria.
(5)School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South 
Africa.

BACKGROUND: Use of permanent hair dyes causes unintended oxidative damage during 
the short time frame of the dyeing process that leads to perceivable changes in 
the feel, manageability and appearance of hair. Moreover, after hair has been 
dyed, regular exposure to the sun as a key environmental stressor continues to 
stimulate additional oxidative damage and to induce newly developed hair colours 
to fade prematurely or undergo changes in colour quality.
OBJECTIVE: To document the utility of acetyl zingerone methyl ether (MAZ) as a 
newly designed haircare ingredient to afford extra protection against oxidative 
damage and safeguard the integrity of hair colour.
RESULTS: We demonstrate that MAZ is compatible chemically with the high alkaline 
conditions required for the colouring process and from theoretical calculations 
preferentially binds Fe and Cu ions relative to Ca or Zn ions. In model Fenton 
reactions MAZ effectively chelated active redox metals (Fe and Cu ions) in the 
presence of excess Ca+2 ions to inhibit the production of hydroxyl radicals, and 
in separate studies, MAZ neutralized singlet oxygen with greater efficiency than 
α-tocopherol by a factor of 2.5. When mixed into permanent dyes prior to hair 
tress application, MAZ significantly reduced combing forces, and SEM images led 
to substantial reductions in visual signs of surface damage. In a 28-day 
clinical study, relative to controls, mixing MAZ into hair dyes prior to 
application interfered neither with colour development nor with ability to cover 
grey hair and led to significant improvements in perceived attributes associated 
with hair's condition immediately following the dyeing process. Over a 28-day 
maintenance phase, especially between Day 14 and Day 28, continued use of 
shampoo and conditioner containing MAZ significantly preserved gloss 
measurements and hair colour in terms of longevity and colour quality as 
remaining desired and fresh compared to use of control shampoo and conditioner.
CONCLUSION: This work establishes MAZ as a next-generation hair care ingredient 
for use in permanent dyes to attenuate oxidative damage and in shampoos and 
conditioners to promote longevity of hair colour and to maintain overall health 
and appearance of hair on a daily basis.

Publisher: CONTEXTE: L'utilisation de colorants capillaires permanents provoque 
des dommages oxydatifs involontaires pendant la courte période du processus de 
teinture, ce qui entraîne des changements perceptibles dans la texture, la 
maniabilité et l'aspect des cheveux. De plus, après la teinture des cheveux, une 
exposition régulière au soleil comme facteur de stress environnemental clé 
continue de stimuler des dommages oxydatifs supplémentaires et d'induire une 
décoloration prématurée des nouvelles couleurs de cheveux ou des changements 
dans la qualité de la couleur.
OBJECTIF: Documenter l'utilité de l'éther méthylique d'acétyl zingérone (MAZ) en 
tant qu'ingrédient de soin capillaire nouvellement conçu pour offrir une 
protection supplémentaire contre les dommages oxydatifs et sauvegarder 
l'intégrité de la couleur des cheveux. RÉSULTATS: Nous démontrons que le MAZ est 
chimiquement compatible avec les conditions alcalines élevées requises pour le 
processus de coloration et, d'après les calculs théoriques, lie de préférence 
les ions Fe et Cu aux ions Ca ou Zn. Dans les réactions de Fenton, le MAZ 
chélate efficacement les métaux redox actifs (atomes de Fe et de Cu) en présence 
d'un excès d'ions Ca+2 pour inhiber la production de radicaux hydroxyles et, 
dans des études séparées, le MAZ neutralise l'oxygène seul avec une efficacité 
supérieure à celle de l'α‐tocophérol, d'un facteur de 2.5. Lorsqu'il est mélangé 
à des teintures permanentes avant l'application de la coiffure, le MAZ réduit de 
manière significative les forces de peignage et, d'après les images SEM, conduit 
à des réductions substantielles des signes visuels de dommages à la surface. 
Dans une étude clinique de 28 jours, le mélange de MAZ dans les teintures 
capillaires avant l'application n'interfère pas avec le développement de la 
couleur ni avec la capacité à couvrir les cheveux gris et conduit à des 
améliorations significatives des attributs perçus associés à l'état des cheveux 
immédiatement après le processus de teinture. Au cours d'une phase d'entretien 
de 28 jours, en particulier entre le 14ème et le 28ème jour, l'utilisation 
continue du shampooing et de l'après‐shampooing contenant du MAZ a permis de 
préserver de manière significative les mesures de brillance et la couleur des 
cheveux en termes de longévité et de qualité de la couleur, qui reste telle que 
désirée et nette, par rapport à l'utilisation du shampooing et de 
l'après‐shampooing de contrôle.
CONCLUSION: Ces travaux font du MAZ un ingrédient de nouvelle génération pour 
les soins capillaires, à utiliser dans les teintures permanentes pour atténuer 
les dommages oxydatifs et dans les shampooings, et après‐shampooings pour 
promouvoir la longévité de la couleur des cheveux et maintenir la santé et 
l'apparence générales des cheveux au quotidien.

© 2024 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and Societe Francaise de Cosmetologie.

DOI: 10.1111/ics.13000
PMID: 39134925


5. Rep Biochem Mol Biol. 2024 Jan;12(4):575-585. doi: 10.61186/rbmb.12.4.575.

Protective Effects of Zingerone on Oxidative Stress in Doxorubicin-Induced Rat 
Hepatotoxicity.

Motamedi R(1), Aminzadeh S(1)(2), Khodayar MJ(1)(2), Khorsandi L(3), Salehcheh 
M(1)(2).

Author information:
(1)Toxicol Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz 
Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
(2)Department of Toxicol, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of 
Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
(3)Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of 
Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin, a commonly utilized anthracycline antibiotic and 
chemotherapeutic agent, has been associated with hepatotoxicity as an adverse 
effect. This study aimed to evaluate protective effects of zingerone, a 
bioactive compound derived from ginger renowned for its antioxidative 
attributes, on oxidative stress in doxorubicin-induced rat hepatotoxicity.
METHODS: In this experimental study, a total of 48 male Wistar rats were 
allocated into six distinct groups. The first group received a control treatment 
of normal saline. The second group was administered an intraperitoneal dose of 
20 mg/kg of doxorubicin on day 5. The third group received an oral dose of 40 
mg/kg of zingerone for 8 days. The fourth, fifth, and sixth groups were 
administered zingerone at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively, for the 
same 8-day period. On day 5, all groups, except the control group, received an 
intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. Following a 72-hour interval, the 
animals were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected to assess serum 
factors. Moreover, portions of the liver tissue were subjected to 
histopathological analysis and assessment of oxidative stress parameters.
RESULTS: The activity levels of serum enzymes, including aspartate transaminase 
(AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), increased in 
the doxorubicin group. Conversely, the levels of other parameters such as 
glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) 
decreased. However, the co-administration of zingerone effectively reversed 
these levels, restoring them back to normal.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that zingerone, particularly at a high dose, 
exhibit a hepatoprotective effect in the doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity 
model.

DOI: 10.61186/rbmb.12.4.575
PMCID: PMC11288236
PMID: 39086586

Conflict of interest statement: 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.