Worldwide, there are plants known as psychoactive plants that naturally contain psychedelic active components. They have a high concentration of neuroprotective substances that can interact with the nervous system to produce psychedelic effects. Despite these plants' hazardous potential, recreational use of them is on the rise because of their psychoactive properties. Early neuroscience studies relied heavily on psychoactive plants and plant natural products (NPs), and both recreational and hazardous NPs have contributed significantly to the understanding of almost all neurotransmitter systems. Worldwide, there are many plants that contain psychoactive properties, and people have been using them for ages. Psychoactive plant compounds may significantly alter how people perceive the world.
1. Food Technol Biotechnol. 2024 Sep;62(3):292-301. doi: 10.17113/ftb.62.03.24.8257. Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Medicinal Fungus Antrodia cinnamomea Cultivated on Pinus morrisonicola Hayata. Hou CW(1), Zhao BY(1), Liu SL(2)(3)(4)(5), Chen YS(2). Author information: (1)Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, N0. 306, Yuanpei Street, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. (2)Department of Food Science and Technology, Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Section 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung City, Taiwan. (3)Department of Nutrition, China Medical University, No. 100, Section 1, Jingmao Road, Beitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan. (4)Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Road, South District, Taichung City, Taiwan. (5)Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, 500 Lioufeng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, Taiwan. RESEARCH BACKGROUND: The fungus Antrodia cinnamomea, which grows on Cinnamomum kanehirae tree, has many medicinal uses. However, its cultivation using the traditional method of growing on the C. kanehirae tree is costly and time-consuming. A possible alternative method of cultivating A. cinnamomea is to use Pinus morrisonicola Hayata tree, as it contains α-terpineol, which stimulates the synthesis of triterpenoids. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: To compare the cultivation of A. cinnamomea on P. morrisonicola and C. kanehirae, the contents of triterpenoids and antcin were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts of each product were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Their mechanisms on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways (p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) were determined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the cultivation times of A. cinnamomea on P. morrisonicola and traditional C. kanehirae discs were drastically different, lasting 6 and 18 months, respectively. The concentration of triterpenoids in the corresponding fruiting bodies was (70.0±3.0) and (20.0±4.0) mg/mL, respectively. More antcins were produced in the P. morrisonicola culture. Similar anti-inflammatory effect was obtained by both cultures, which is confirmed by the reduced production of IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and nitrogen monoxide. Their mechanisms were confirmed by the suppression of MAPK signalling pathways. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: Cultivation on P. morrisonicola is an innovative and more cost-effective method for growing A. cinnamomea. The same anti-inflammatory effect is achieved in a shorter production time. Authors. DOI: 10.17113/ftb.62.03.24.8257 PMCID: PMC11531683 PMID: 39497698 Conflict of interest statement: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no competing financial interest. 2. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2024 Sep;37(5):1163-1168. Barks and leaves of Lauraceae plants as anti-acne. Adliani N(1), Rizaldy D(2), Singgih Wibowo M(2), Mauludin R(2), Sukrasno -(2). Author information: (1)School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung, Indonesia/Study Programme of Pharmacy, Department of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Indonesia. (2)School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung, Indonesia. Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease caused by several factors, including an imbalance of microorganisms compared to the normal microbial distribution in healthy tissue. The Lauraceae family which have been reported from antiseptic. This research was conducted to assayed the compounds, the biological activity of the Lauraceae plant essential oil (EO) could against microbes. EO Were isolated by steam water distillation and had antibacterial effects were analyzed by microdilution in broth medium and EO compounds were analyzed by GC-MS. The most abundant components present in N. cassia leaves cinnamyl acetate, N. cassia bark beta-citronellol, linalool, e-citral and geraniol, C. verum bark eugenol, C. burmanni leaves linalool, alpha-terpineol, eucalyptol, cinnamaldehyde, caryophyllene, cinnamyl, leaves of Cinnamomum camphora contains camphor. The highest antimicrobial activity against C. acnes was given by oil from the leaves and bark of Neolitsea cassia, against S. aureus and by oil from the bark of C. verum and N. cassia and C. burmannii leaves. The oil of C. champora leaves gave better activity than the barks against these microbes. It was found that the leaves of C. champora had the highest yield of oil compared to the other part of Lauraceae plants tested and it has a strong antibacterial activity toward microbes commonly present in acne vulgaris. PMID: 39495857 [Indexed for MEDLINE] 3. Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Jul 11;12(10):7166-7176. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4327. eCollection 2024 Oct. Prediction of storage years of Wuyi rock tea Shuixian by metabolites analysis. Song X(1)(2), Wu Z(1)(2), Liang Q(2), Ma C(2), Cai P(2). Author information: (1)College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou Fujian China. (2)College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University Wuyishan China. Wuyi rock teas of different storage duration have different flavor, bioactivity, and market value, Shuixian is a main variety of Wuyi rock tea. In this study, metabolites composition of Shuixian with different storage years were analyzed using Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 1201 compounds were identified, and 104 differential compounds (VIP > 1.5) were determined. Furthermore, the results showed that five compounds exhibited a positive correlation with storage time, such as alpha-terpineol formate, carnosol, 2-phenethyl-D-glucopyranoside, Ellagic acid, and D-ribosyl nicotinic acid, while 24 compounds showed a negative correlation, such as Ethyl linoleate, leucocyanidin, cis-3-hexenyl acetate. In total, 29 signature compounds significantly correlated with storage time. These findings shed light on the patterns and mechanisms of changes in the composition of Wuyi rock tea during storage and provide a theoretical foundation for distinguishing the storage years. © 2024 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4327 PMCID: PMC11521635 PMID: 39479628 Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest. 4. Plants (Basel). 2024 Oct 21;13(20):2946. doi: 10.3390/plants13202946. The Mitigating Effects of Perilla Leaf Essential Oil on the Phytotoxicity of Fenoxaprop-P-Ethyl in Rice Seedlings. Li J(1)(2), Zhu Y(1), Sun L(1), Xu H(1), Su W(1), Xue F(1), Lu C(1), Tang W(2), Wu R(1). Author information: (1)Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control, Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China. (2)National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (FE) can effectively control weeds in rice fields, but it has been found to cause phytotoxicity in rice. In this study, the phytotoxicity of FE was mitigated by perilla leaf essential oil (PEO) in rice seedlings. The injury recovery rates (IRRs) for shoot length and fresh weight treated with 800 mg/L of PEO were 101.51% and 99.05%, respectively. Moreover, the damage of s-metolachlor and pretilachlor was also alleviated when co-applied with 800 mg/L PEO; the IRR of s-metolachlor phytotoxicity was 26.07% and 27.34%, respectively, and the IRR of pretilachlor phytotoxicity was 127.27% and 124.39%, respectively. However, PEO had no significant effect on the phytotoxicity of pinoxaden, mesotrione, penoxsulam, mesosulfuron-methyl, and nicosulfuron. The results of GC-MS analysis showed that a total of 23 components were detected in PEO, among which linalool (36.49%), linalyl formate (26.96%), α-terpineol (10.63%), 2-hexanoylfuran (5.81%), geranyl acetate (4.13%), and neryl acetate (2.30%) were the primary components. Among them, 2-hexanoylfuran was the most effective component to alleviate FE damage, for which the IRR of shoot length and fresh weight was 73.17% and 73.02%, respectively, followed by the geranyl acetate, for which the IRR was 72.32% and 60.56%, respectively, and neryl acetate, for which the IRR was 65.28% and 58.11%, respectively. Furthermore, the application of 50 mg/L of 2-hexanofuran significantly improved the tolerance of shoot length and fresh weight to FE stress by factors of 5.32 and 5.35, respectively. This research demonstrates that PEO and 2-hexanoylfuran have the potential to serve as natural safeners to reduce phytotoxicity. DOI: 10.3390/plants13202946 PMCID: PMC11510985 PMID: 39458893 Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 5. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 Oct 17;13(10):1258. doi: 10.3390/antiox13101258. α-Terpineol Induces Shelterin Components TRF1 and TRF2 to Mitigate Senescence and Telomere Integrity Loss via A Telomerase-Independent Pathway. Kapetanou M(1)(2), Athanasopoulou S(1)(3), Goutas A(3), Makatsori D(2), Trachana V(3), Gonos E(1)(2). Author information: (1)Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece. (2)Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece. (3)Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larisa, Greece. Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging characterized by irreversible growth arrest and functional decline. Progressive telomeric DNA shortening in dividing somatic cells, programmed during development, leads to critically short telomeres that trigger replicative senescence and thereby contribute to aging. Therefore, protecting telomeres from DNA damage is essential in order to avoid entry into senescence and organismal aging. In several organisms, including mammals, telomeres are protected by a protein complex named shelterin that prevents DNA damage at the chromosome ends through the specific function of its subunits. Here, we reveal that the nuclear protein levels of shelterin components TRF1 and TRF2 decline in fibroblasts reaching senescence. Notably, we identify α-terpineol as an activator that effectively enhances TRF1 and TRF2 levels in a telomerase-independent manner, counteracting the senescence-associated decline in these crucial proteins. Moreover, α-terpineol ameliorates the cells' response to oxidative DNA damage, particularly at the telomeric regions, thus preserving telomere length and delaying senescence. More importantly, our findings reveal the significance of the PI3K/AKT pathway in the regulation of shelterin components responsible for preserving telomere integrity. In conclusion, this study deepens our understanding of the molecular pathways involved in senescence-associated telomere dysfunction and highlights the potential of shelterin components to serve as targets of therapeutic interventions, aimed at promoting healthy aging and combating age-related diseases. DOI: 10.3390/antiox13101258 PMCID: PMC11504354 PMID: 39456511 Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.