Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Mol Biotechnol. 2024 Sep 12. doi: 10.1007/s12033-024-01282-8. Online ahead of 
print.

Phytochemicals of Different Medicinal Herbs as Potential Inhibitors Against 
Dengue Serotype 2 Virus: A Computational Approach.

Roy D(#)(1), Manumol M(#)(1), Alagarasu K(2), Parashar D(2), Cherian S(3).

Author information:
(1)Bioinformatics Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar 
Road, Pune, Maharashtra, 411001, India.
(2)Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. 
Ambedkar Road, Pune, Maharashtra, 411001, India.
(3)Bioinformatics Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar 
Road, Pune, Maharashtra, 411001, India. sarahcherian100@gmail.com.
(#)Contributed equally

Dengue is one of the major mosquito-borne infectious diseases of the present 
century, reported to affect about 100-400 million people globally. The lack of 
effective therapeutic options has inspired several in vitro and in silico 
studies for the search of antivirals. Our previous study revealed the 
anti-dengue activity of different plant extracts from Plumeria alba, Bacopa 
monnieri, Vitex negundo, and Ancistrocladus heyneanus. Therefore, the current in 
silico study was designed to identify the phytochemicals present in the 
aforementioned plants, which are possibly responsible for the anti-dengue 
activity. Different plant databases as well as relevant literature were explored 
to find out the major compounds present in the above-stated plants followed by 
screening of the retrieved phytochemicals for the assessment of their binding 
affinity against different dengue viral proteins via molecular docking. The best 
poses of protein-ligand complexes obtained after molecular docking were selected 
for the calculation of binding free energy via MM-GBSA method. Based on the 
highest docking score and binding energy, six complexes were considered for 
further analysis. To analyze the stability of the complex, 100 ns molecular 
dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out using Desmond module in the 
Schrodinger suite. The MD simulation analysis showed that four compounds viz. 
liriodendrin, bacopaside VII, isoorientin, and cynaroside exhibited stability 
with viral targets including the RdRp, NS3 helicase, and E protein indicating 
their potential as novel anti-dengue antivirals.

© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business 
Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01282-8
PMID: 39264526


2. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2024 Sep;60(8):949-958. doi: 
10.1007/s11626-024-00897-0. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Liriodendrin stimulates proliferation and milk protein synthesis of mammary 
epithelial cells via the PI3K-DDX18 signaling.

Qiu Y(1), Fu M(2), Zhang M(1), Qu B(1), Zhen Z(3).

Author information:
(1)College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, 
Heilongjiang, China.
(2)Heilongjiang Teacher Development College, Harbin, 150080, Heilongjiang, 
China.
(3)College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, 
Heilongjiang, China. nneehhzz@126.com.

Liriodendrin is a lignan compound that is involved in a wide variety of 
physiological functions, however it is unknown whether liriodendrin plays an 
important role in milk production in the mammary glands. In this study, we 
explored the role and molecular mechanism of Liriodendrin in milk synthesis of 
mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Bovine MECs were treated with liriodendrin (0, 
0.45, 0.9, 1.35, 1.8, and 2.25 mM) for 24 h. Liriodendrin dose-dependently 
increased cell number, cell cycle transition, and milk protein synthesis, as 
well as Cyclin D1 and mTOR phosphorylation, with the maximal effects observed at 
a dose of 1.35 mM. Liriodendrin increased the expression of DDX18, which 
mediated liriodendrin stimulation of Cyclin D1 and mTOR mRNA expression. PI3K 
inhibition and DDX18 knockdown experiments further confirmed that liriodendrin 
regulates the mRNA expression of Cyclin D1 and mTOR via the PI3K-DDX18 
signaling. Mouse feeding experiment showed that liriodendrin dose-dependently 
promotes β-casein and DDX18 expression in mouse mammary gland. In this study, 
DDX18 was found to be a novel positive regulator that plays a role in cell 
proliferation and synthesis of milk protein. These findings reveal that 
liriodendrin stimulates proliferation and milk protein synthesis of MECs via the 
PI3K-DDX18 signaling.

© 2024. The Society for In Vitro Biology.

DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00897-0
PMID: 39134870 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


3. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2024 Jan;49(1):141-150. doi: 
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20230919.201.

[Quality evaluation of salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex based on HPLC fingerprint, 
multi-component content determination, and chemometrics].

[Article in Chinese]

Wang TG(1), Luo LY(2), Xue R(3), Li JC(3), Li S(3), Zhang Y(3), Zhang YZ(1).

Author information:
(1)Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023, China State Key 
Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology 
and Toxicology,Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military 
Sciences Beijing 100850, China.
(2)State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of 
Pharmacology and Toxicology,Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of 
Military Sciences Beijing 100850, China School of Pharmacy, North China 
University of Science and Technology Tangshan 063210, China.
(3)State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of 
Pharmacology and Toxicology,Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of 
Military Sciences Beijing 100850, China.

This study established an HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content 
determination method for salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex, and evaluated the quality 
of salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex from different sources using fingerprint 
similarity evaluation, cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), 
and orthogonal partial least square discriminate analysis(OPLS-DA). HPLC was 
launched on a Cosmosil 5C_(18)-MS-Ⅱ column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) by gradient 
elution with a mobile phase of methanol-0.2% phosphoric acid aqueous solution at 
a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min~(-1), detection wavelength of 238 nm, column 
temperature of 30 ℃, and an injection volume of 10 μL. The results of 
fingerprint similarity evaluation for 20 batches of salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex 
indicated that, except for batch S3 with a similarity of 0.893, the similarity 
of the other 19 batches was of ≥ 0.919, suggesting good similarity. Fourteen 
common peaks were calibrated and seven common peaks were identified including 
geniposidic acid. The mass fractions of geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, 
geniposide, genipin, pinoresinol diglucoside, liriodendrin, and 
pinoresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were 0.062 0%-0.426 9%, 0.024 9%-0.116 5%, 
0.009 5%-0.052 9%, 0.005 5%-0.034 8%, 0.115 9%-0.317 8%, 0.016 4%-0.108 8%, and 
0.026 4%-0.039 8%, respectively. Using CA, PCA, and OPLS-DA, the 20 batches of 
salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex were classified into three categories. Additionally, 
through the analysis of variable importance in projection(VIP) under OPLS-DA, 
two differential quality markers, geniposidic acid and chlorogenic acid, were 
identified. The established HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content 
determination method is stable and reliable, providing a reference for quality 
control of salt-fired Eucommiae Cortex.

DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20230919.201
PMID: 38403347 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


4. Med Chem. 2024;20(5):467-486. doi: 10.2174/0115734064255060231116192839.

A Review of Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants as a Novel Source of Phosphodiesterase 
Inhibitors: Future Perspective of New Challenges Against Diabetes Mellitus.

Ouassou H(1)(2), Elhouda Daoudi N(2), Bouknana S(3), Abdnim R(2), Bnouham M(2).

Author information:
(1)Higher Institute of Nurses Professions and Health Techniques, Oujda 60000, 
Morocco.
(2)Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, 
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, BP. 717, 
Oujda 60040, Morocco.
(3)Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed First, 
Boulevard Mohamed VI BP 717, Oujda 60040, Morocco.

Intracellular glucose concentration plays a crucial role in initiating the 
molecular secretory process of pancreatic β-cells through multiple messengers 
and signaling pathways. Cyclic nucleotides are key physiological regulators that 
modulate pathway interactions in β -cells. An increase of cyclic nucleotides is 
controled by hydrolysed phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which degrades cyclic 
nucleotides into inactive metabolites. Despite the undeniable therapeutic 
potential of PDE inhibitors, they are associated with several side effects. The 
treatment strategy for diabetes based on PDE inhibitors has been proposed for a 
long time. Hence, the world of natural antidiabetic medicinal plants represents 
an ideal source of phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a new strategy for developing 
novel agents to treat diabetes mellitus. This review highlights medicinal plants 
traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus that have been proven 
to have inhibitory effects on PDE activity. The contents of this review were 
sourced from electronic databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Springer 
Link, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley Online, Scifinder and Google Scholar. These 
databases were consulted to collect information without any limitation date. 
After comprehensive literature screening, this paper identified 27 medicinal 
plants that have been reported to exhibit anti-phosphodiesterase activities. The 
selection of these plants was based on their traditional uses in the treatment 
of diabetes mellitus. The review emphasizes the antiphosphodiesterase properties 
of 31 bioactive components derived from these plant extracts. Many phenolic 
compounds have been identified as PDE inhibitors: Brazilin, mesozygin, artonin 
I, chalcomaracin, norartocarpetin, moracin L, moracin M, moracin C, curcumin, 
gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, catechin, kaempferol, 
chlorogenic acid, and ellagic acid. Moreover, smome lignans have reported as PDE 
inhibitors: (+)-Medioresinol di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (+)- Pinoresinol 
di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (+)-Pinoresinol-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl 
(1→6)-β-dglucopyranoside, Liriodendrin, (+)-Pinoresinol 
4'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and forsythin. This review provides a promising 
starting point of medicinal plants, which could be further studied for the 
development of natural phosphodiesterase inhibitors to treat diabetes mellitus. 
Therefore, it is important to consider clinical studies for the identification 
of new targets for the treatment of diabetes.

Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at 
epub@benthamscience.net.

DOI: 10.2174/0115734064255060231116192839
PMID: 38265379 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


5. Pharm Biol. 2024 Dec;62(1):62-104. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2292261. Epub
2023  Dec 22.

Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of plants used to treat musculoskeletal disorders 
among Skaw Karen, Thailand.

Kantasrila R(1)(2), Pandith H(1), Balslev H(3), Wangpakapattanawong P(1), 
Panyadee P(2), Inta A(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
(2)The Botanical Garden Organization, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai, 
Thailand.
(3)Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.

CONTEXT: Musculoskeletal system disorders (MSD) are prevalent around the world 
affecting the health of people, especially farmers who work hard in the field. 
Karen farmers use many medicinal plants to treat MSD.
OBJECTIVE: This study collects traditional plant-based remedies used by the Skaw 
Karen to treat MSD and evaluates their active phytochemical compounds.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethnobotanical study was conducted in six Karen 
villages in Chiang Mai province using semi-structured interviews were of 120 
informants. The data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices including use 
values (UV), choice value (CV), and informant consensus factor (ICF). 
Consequently, the 20 most important species, according to the indices, were 
selected for phytochemical analysis using LC-MS/MS.
RESULTS: A total of 3731 use reports were obtained for 139 species used in MSD 
treatment. The most common ailments treated with those plants were muscular 
pain. A total of 172 high-potential active compounds for MSD treatment were 
identified. Most of them were flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and steroids. 
The prevalent phytochemical compounds related to treat MSD were 
9-hydroxycalabaxanthone, dihydrovaltrate, morroniside, isoacteoside, lithocholic 
acid, pomiferin, cucurbitacin E, leonuriside A, liriodendrin, and physalin E. 
Sambucus javanica Reinw. ex Blume (Adoxaceae), Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex 
D.Don (Betulaceae), Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), Plantago major L. 
(Plantaginaceae) and Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch. (Salicaceae) all had 
high ethnobotanical index values and many active compounds.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information, 
demonstrating low-cost medicine plants that are locally available. It is a 
choice of treatment for people living in remote areas.

DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2292261
PMCID: PMC10763916
PMID: 38131672 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported 
by the author(s).