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. Chem Biol Interact. 2024 Nov 3:111305. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111305. Online ahead of print. Exploring the mechanism of ursolic acid in preventing liver fibrosis and improving intestinal microbiota based on NOX2/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Liu Q(1), Liu LX(2), Li BM(2), Zhang W(2), Zhang Y(2), Chen P(2), Huang CK(2), Nie Y(3), Zhu X(4). Author information: (1)Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Ji'an Central People's Hospital, Ji'an, Jiangxi, China. (2)Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. (3)Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Electronic address: niyujxfc123@163.com. (4)Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Electronic address: ndyfy00326@ncu.edu.cn. Early-stage liver fibrosis can be reversed; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The intestinal tract hosts a substantial and diverse microbiota involved in various physiological activities and is closely linked to chronic liver disease. Previous studies have indicated that ursolic acid (UA), derived from herbal plants, possesses anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties; however, its precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. Consequently, liver fibrosis models were constructed utilizing both the methionine/choline deficieny (MCD) diet and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intraperitoneal injections. 16S rRNA was conducted to analyze the intestinal microbiota. Results indicated that UA attenuated liver injury and fibrosis, reduced indices related to liver fibrosis, and decreased the expression levels of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOD like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). Hepatic fibrosis was alleviated in post-model NOX2 and NLRP3 gene knockout (NOX2-/- and NLRP3-/-) mice in comparison to post-model wild-type (WT) mice. Nonetheless, neither UA treatment nor control treatment significantly improved liver fibrosis in comparison to post-model knockout mice. Furthermore, the liver of NOX2-/- mice exhibited lower levels of NLRP3 expression. Importantly, knockout mice displayed a higher diversity of intestinal microbiota, characterized by an increased presence of beneficial bacteria and a reduced presence of harmful bacteria compared to WT mice. In conclusion, UA exerts antifibrotic effects through the inhibition of the NOX2/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. UA has the potential to reverse liver fibrosis by modulating this signaling pathway, thereby enhancing the gut microbiota. Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V. DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111305 PMID: 39500482 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. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 1;103(44):e40044. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040044. Development and validation of a nomogram diagnostic model for coronary slow flow patients: A cross-sectional study. Tu G(1), Zhao C(1), Cai ZL(1), Huang XM(2), Tong SY(2), Wang N(2), Qian J(2). Author information: (1)Second Department of Interior, Lichuan County People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Fuzhou, China. (2)Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Suizhou Hospital, Hubei Medicine University, Suizhou, China. In this study, risk factors for coronary slow flow (CSF) patients were examined, and a clinical prediction model was created. This study involved 573 patients who underwent coronary angiography at our hospital because of chest pain from January 2020 to April 2022. They were divided into CSF group (249 cases) and noncoronary slow flow (NCF) group (324 cases) according to the coronary blood flow results. According to a 7:3 ratio, the patients were categorized into a training group consisting of 402 cases and a validation group consisting of 171 cases. The outcome was assessed by employing multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the factors that influenced it. The model's recognizability was assessed by calculating the consistency index and plotting the receiver operating characteristic curve. Its consistency was assessed by calibration curve, decision curve, and Hosmer-Lemeshow testing goodness-of-fit. The multivariate model included factors such as male, BMI, smoking, diabetes, ursolic acid, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The model validation showed that the consistency index was 0.714, and the external validation set had a consistency index of 0.741. The areas under the curve for the training and external validation sets were respectively 0.730 (95% CI: 0.681-0.779) and 0.770 (95%CI: 0.699-0.841). Nomogram calibration curves indicated intense calibration, and the results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated that χ² = 1.118, P = .572. The nomogram combining various risk factors can be used for individualized predictions of CSF patients and then facilitate prompt and specific treatment. Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040044 PMCID: PMC11537578 PMID: 39496058 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. 3. Ultrason Sonochem. 2024 Oct 30;111:107136. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107136. Online ahead of print. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of triterpenoids from Chaenomeles speciosa leaves: Process optimization, adsorptive enrichment, chemical profiling, and protection against ulcerative colitis. Hou M(1), Shi J(1), Lin C(1), Zhu L(2), Bian Z(3). Author information: (1)Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, PR China. (2)Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, PR China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, PR China. Electronic address: zhulin@hkbu.edu.hk. (3)Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, PR China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, PR China. Electronic address: bzxiang@hkbu.edu.hk. For the valorization of Chaenomeles speciosa leaves, this study focused on extraction, enrichment, chemical profiling, and investigation of the biological activity of its abundant triterpenoid components. Initially, the total triterpenoids in C. speciosa leaves were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) method, with the extraction process optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimal conditions of extraction solvent 93 % EtOH, ultrasound power 390 W, extraction time 30 min, extraction temperature 70 °C, liquid-to-solid ratio 25 mL/g, and 2 extraction cycles, the maximum total triterpenoids yield (TTY) reached 36.77 ± 0.40 mg/g. The total triterpenoids in the crude extract were subsequently enriched by X-5 resin column chromatography, resulting in a fourfold increase in purity, reaching 73.27 ± 0.84 %. Thirteen compounds in the triterpenoid-rich fraction (TRF) were identified through UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, and five major triterpenoids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, maslinic acid, and pomolic acid) were simultaneously quantified by HPLC-QQQ-MS. Furthermore, TRF demonstrated a notable amelioration against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice, indicating its promise as a potent intervention for this condition. In summary, this study will contribute to enhancing the utilization efficiency of Chaenomeles speciosa leaves. Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107136 PMID: 39492129 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. J Dent. 2024 Nov 1:105447. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105447. Online ahead of print. Anti-cariogenic effect of experimental resin cement containing ursolic acid using dental microcosm biofilm. Jo J(1), Jeon MJ(1), Park SK(1), Shin SJ(1), Kim BI(2), Park JW(3). Author information: (1)Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. (2)Department of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 PLUS project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea. (3)Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: pjw@yuhs.ac. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the anticariogenic effects of resin cement containing varying ursolic acid (UA) concentrations and to determine the optimal UA concentrations in the microcosm biofilm model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental resin cements with UA concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% were prepared. Class I cavities were prepared on 50 extracted human molars and restored with composite inlays and experimental resin cements. Tooth samples were subjected to artificial caries induction for 10 days in a microcosm biofilm model using human saliva as an inoculum, and then mineral changes were evaluated using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (ΔF and ΔQ) and micro-computed tomography (CT). The bacterial composition of the human saliva was analyzed by 16s RNA microbiome profiling. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey and Duncan post-hoc tests was employed for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: As the UA concentration increased, resin cement decreased ΔF and ΔQ before and after caries induction but showed a significant difference only in ΔQ at UA concentration ≥ 1.0% (p < 0.05). The gray value analysis result of micro CT also showed a significant difference at UA concentration ≥ 1.0% (p < 0.05). In the human saliva analysis, bacterial composition remained within normal oral microbiota ranges. CONCLUSION: Resin cements containing at least 1.0% of UA exhibited an anticariogenic effect on dental microcosm biofilms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To reduce the failure of restorations, it is essential to prevent the occurrence of secondary caries. The application of UA in resin cement can be utilized to prevent the formation of secondary caries due to the anticariogenic effect of UA. Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105447 PMID: 39489326 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. 5. ScientificWorldJournal. 2024 Oct 22;2024:8895039. doi: 10.1155/2024/8895039. eCollection 2024. A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Ocimum tenuiflorum. Bhattarai K(1)(2), Bhattarai R(1), Pandey RD(3), Paudel B(2), Bhattarai HD(4). Author information: (1)Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. (2)Natural Product Chemistry, Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal. (3)Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. (4)Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as Tulsi, is revered in Ayurveda for its extensive medicinal properties. However, there is a need to consolidate current knowledge on its phytochemical constituents and their pharmacological activities to identify potential areas for further research and drug development. This review aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the bioactive secondary metabolites found in O. tenuiflorum, such as rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, luteolin, ursolic acid, and limonene, and their associated therapeutic effects. The review will highlight the pharmacological importance of these metabolites, which exhibit antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, this study will explore the plant's wide range of beneficial qualities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticholinergic, pain-relieving, antimicrobial, stress-reducing, antidiabetic, anticancer, liver-protective, ulcer-inhibiting, antifungal, and wound-healing attributes. Furthermore, this review focuses on the plant's potential in treating conditions such as asthma, persistent fever, tuberculosis, malaria, skin discoloration, itching, digestive issues, hemorrhoids, bone fractures, gout, urinary tract infection, and diabetes. By reviewing the current literature, the aim is to identify the gaps in the existing research and propose directions for future studies. This comprehensive review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the development and investigation of novel drugs derived from O. tenuiflorum. Copyright © 2024 Keshab Bhattarai et al. DOI: 10.1155/2024/8895039 PMCID: PMC11521583 PMID: 39473808 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.