Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Food Chem. 2024 Oct 18;464(Pt 2):141683. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141683. 
Online ahead of print.

Geographic origin characterization of Brazilian green coffee beans via 
untargeted metabolomics.

Pimenta JVC(1), Dos Santos LB(1), Almeida MR(1), Augusti R(1), de Macedo AN(2).

Author information:
(1)Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio 
Carlos, 6627 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
(2)Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio 
Carlos, 6627 Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Electronic address: 
adrianamacedo@qui.ufmg.br.

Coffee is a widely popular beverage worldwide, known for its distinct sensory 
properties which are greatly affected by geographical origin. Herein, we 
performed an untargeted metabolomic evaluation of green coffee beans (n = 40) 
from four different regions in Brazil: Cerrado Mineiro, Sul de Minas, Caparaó, 
and Mogiana Paulista; by using UHPLC-HRMS (ultra-high performance liquid 
chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry). The most 
significant metabolites responsible for coffee characterization were 
theobromine, zeatin, phenylacetaldehyde, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, chlorogenic 
acids, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid. Our 
findings demonstrate that the green coffee cultivated in Cerrado Mineiro, the 
most valuable among the four samples evaluated, exhibits a unique and typical 
metabolite profile, setting it apart from the coffee beans grown in other 
regions. Finally, the findings reported may be relevant for coffee producers in 
the Cerrado Mineiro area, as they contribute to establishing a certificate of 
origin for their high-quality product.

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141683
PMID: 39503088

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. Cells. 2024 Oct 16;13(20):1710. doi: 10.3390/cells13201710.

Cryoprotective Potential of Theobromine in the Improvement of the Post-Thaw 
Quality of Bovine Spermatozoa.

Benko F(1), Baňas Š(1), Ďuračka M(2), Kačániová M(3)(4), Tvrdá E(1).

Author information:
(1)Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, 
Slovakia.
(2)AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. 
A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
(3)Institute of Horticulture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, 
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, 
Slovakia.
(4)School of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Economics and Human 
Sciences in Warsaw, Okopowa 59, 010 43 Warsaw, Poland.

Theobromine (TBR) is a methylxanthine known for its bronchodilatory and 
stimulatory effects. This research evaluated the vitality, capacitation 
patterns, oxidative characteristics, microbial profile and expression of 
capacitation-associated proteins (CatSper1/2, sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 
[NBC], protein kinases A [PKA] and C [PKC] and adenylate cyclase 10 [ADCY10]) in 
cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa (n = 30) in the absence (cryopreserved control 
[CtrlC]) or presence of different TBR concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 µM) in 
egg yolk extender. Fresh ejaculate served as a negative control (CtrlN). 
Significant post-thaw maintenance of the sperm motility, membrane and DNA 
integrity and mitochondrial activity (p < 0.001) were recorded following the 
administration of 25 μM and 50 μM TBR, then compared to CtrlC. All groups 
supplemented with TBR exhibited a significantly lower percentage of prematurely 
capacitated spermatozoa (p < 0.001) than CtrlC. Significantly decreased levels 
of global reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals 
were observed in the presence of 25 μM and 50 μM TBR (p < 0.01). Western blot 
analysis revealed that supplementation with 50 μM TBR significantly prevented 
the loss of NBC and ADCY10 (p < 0.01), while all TBR doses stabilized the levels 
of PKC (p < 0.05 at 50 μM TBR; p < 0.001 at 12.5 μM and 25 μM TBR). In summary, 
we suggest that TBR is effective in protecting the spermatozoa during the 
cryopreservation process through its potential to stimulate energy synthesis 
while preventing ROS overproduction and the loss of proteins involved in the 
sperm activation process.

DOI: 10.3390/cells13201710
PMCID: PMC11505711
PMID: 39451229 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 
The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, 
or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision 
to publish the results.


3. Metabolomics. 2024 Oct 21;20(6):118. doi: 10.1007/s11306-024-02184-1.

Serum metabolite signature of the modified Mediterranean-DASH intervention for 
neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet.

Yang J(1)(2), Bernard L(2)(3), Wong KE(4), Yu B(5), Steffen LM(6), Sullivan 
VK(1)(2), Rebholz CM(7)(8).

Author information:
(1)Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 
Baltimore, MD, USA.
(2)Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Johns 
Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
(3)School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
(4)Metabolon, Research Triangle Park, Morrisville, NC, USA.
(5)Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at 
Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA.
(6)Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School 
of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
(7)Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 
Baltimore, MD, USA. crebhol1@jhu.edu.
(8)Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Johns 
Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. crebhol1@jhu.edu.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of biomarkers of clinically important diets, such 
as the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet.
OBJECTIVES: Our study explored serum metabolites associated with adherence to 
the MIND diet.
METHODS: In 3,908 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study participants, 
we calculated a modified MIND diet score based on a 66-item self-reported food 
frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The modified score did not include berries and 
olive oil, as these items were not assessed in the FFQ. We used multivariable 
linear regression models in 2 subgroups of ARIC study participants and 
meta-analyzed results using fixed effects regression to identify significant 
metabolites after Bonferroni correction. We also examined associations between 
these metabolites and food components of the modified MIND diet. C-statistics 
evaluated the prediction of high modified MIND diet adherence using significant 
metabolites beyond participant characteristics.
RESULTS: Of 360 metabolites analyzed, 27 metabolites (15 positive, 12 negative) 
were significantly associated with the modified MIND diet score (lipids, n = 13; 
amino acids, n = 5; xenobiotics, n = 3; cofactors and vitamins, n = 3; 
carbohydrates n = 2; nucleotide n = 1). The top 4 metabolites that improved the 
prediction of high dietary adherence to the modified MIND diet were 
7-methylxanthine, theobromine, docosahexaenoate (DHA), and 
3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate (CMPF).
CONCLUSION: Twenty-seven metabolomic markers were correlated with the modified 
MIND diet. The biomarkers, if further validated, could be useful to objectively 
assess adherence to the MIND diet.

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

DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02184-1
PMID: 39432124 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


4. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Oct 15:2024.10.13.618054. doi: 
10.1101/2024.10.13.618054.

Potent Anti-Influenza Synergistic Activity of Theobromine and Arainosine.

Lahiri H, Israeli E, Krugliak M, Basu K, Britan-Rosich Y, Yaish TR, Arkin IT.

Influenza represents one of the biggest health threats facing humanity. Seasonal 
epidemics can transition to global pandemics, with cross-species infection 
presenting a continuous challenge. Although vaccines and several anti-viral 
options are available, constant genetic drifts and shifts vitiate any of the 
aforementioned prevention and treatment options. Therefore, we describe an 
approach targeted at the virus's channel to derive new anti-viral options. 
Specifically, Influenza A's M2 protein is a well-characterized channel targeted 
for a long time by aminoadamantane blockers. However, widespread mutations in 
the protein render the drugs ineffective. Consequently, we started by screening 
a repurposed drug library against aminoadamantane-sensitive and resistant M2 
channels using bacteria-based genetic assays. Subsequent in cellulo testing and 
structure-activity relationship studies yielded a combination of Theobromine and 
Arainosine, which exhibits stark anti-viral activity by inhibiting the virus's 
channel. The drug duo was potent against H1N1 pandemic swine flu, H5N1 pandemic 
avian flu, aminoadamantane-resistant and sensitive strains alike, exhibiting 
activity that surpassed Oseltamivir, the leading anti-flu drug on the market. 
When this drug duo was tested in an animal model, it once more outperformed 
Oseltamivir, considerably reducing disease symptoms and viral RNA progeny. In 
conclusion, the outcome of this study represents a new potential treatment 
option for influenza alongside an approach that is sufficiently general and 
readily applicable to other viral targets.

DOI: 10.1101/2024.10.13.618054
PMCID: PMC11482935
PMID: 39416015


5. J Nutr. 2024 Sep 25:S0022-3166(24)01043-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.09.026. 
Online ahead of print.

Identification and Replication of Urine Metabolites Associated With Short-Term 
and Habitual Intake of Sweet and Fatty Snacks in European Children and 
Adolescents.

Goerdten J(1), Muli S(2), Rattner J(3), Merdas M(3), Achaintre D(3), Yuan L(4), 
De Henauw S(5), Foraita R(4), Hunsberger M(6), Huybrechts I(3), Lissner L(6), 
Molnár D(7), Moreno LA(8), Russo P(9), Veidebaum T(10), Aleksandrova K(11), 
Nöthlings U(2), Oluwagbemigun K(2), Keski-Rahkonen P(3), Floegel A(12).

Author information:
(1)Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS), Bremen, 
Germany. Electronic address: goerdten@leibniz-bips.de.
(2)Unit of Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 
University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
(3)International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France.
(4)Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS), Bremen, 
Germany.
(5)Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, 
Belgium.
(6)School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, 
Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
(7)Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
(8)GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Faculty 
of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón 
(IA2) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, 
Spain; Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición 
(CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
(9)Institute of Food Sciences, CNR, Avellino, Italy.
(10)National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia.
(11)Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS), Bremen, 
Germany; Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, 
Germany.
(12)Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS), Bremen, 
Germany; Section of Dietetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 
Hochschule Neubrandenburg-University of Applied Sciences, Neubrandenburg, 
Germany.

BACKGROUND: Intake of sweet and fatty snacks may partly contribute to the 
occurrence of obesity and other health conditions in childhood. Traditional 
dietary assessment methods may be limited in accurately assessing the intake of 
sweet and fatty snacks in children. Metabolite biomarkers may aid the objective 
assessment of children's food intake and support establishing diet-disease 
relationships.
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify biomarkers of sweet and fatty 
snack intake in 2 independent cohorts of European children.
METHODS: We used data from the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort from baseline (2007/2008) 
and 2 follow-up examination waves (2009/2010 and 2013/2014). In total, 1788 
urine samples from 599 children were analyzed for untargeted metabolomics using 
high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Short-term dietary 
intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recalls, and habitual dietary intake was 
calculated with the National Cancer Institute method. Data from the Dortmund 
Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinal Designed (DONALD) cohort of 24-h 
urine samples (n = 567) and 3-d weighted dietary records were used for external 
replication of results. Multivariate modeling with unbiased variable selection 
in R algorithms and linear mixed models were used to identify novel biomarkers. 
Metabolite features significantly associated with dietary intake were then 
annotated.
RESULTS: In total, 66 metabolites were discovered and found to be statistically 
significant for chocolate candy; cakes, puddings, and cookies; candy and sweets; 
ice cream; and crisps. Most of the features (n = 62) could not be annotated. 
Short-term and habitual chocolate intake were positively associated with 
theobromine, xanthosine, and cyclo(L-prolyl-L-valyl). These results were 
replicated in the DONALD cohort. Short-term candy and sweet intake was 
negatively associated with octenoylcarnitine.
CONCLUSIONS: Of the potential metabolite biomarkers of sweet and fatty snacks in 
children, 3 biomarkers of chocolate intake, namely theobromine, xanthosine, and 
cyclo(L-prolyl-L-valyl), are externally replicated. However, these potential 
biomarkers require further validation in children.

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.09.026
PMID: 39332769

Conflict of interest statement: Conflict of interest AF reports financial 
support was provided by German Research Foundation. PK-R reports financial 
support was provided by French National Research Agency. All other authors 
report no conflicts of interest.