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 Biodivers. 2024 Sep 28:e202401865. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401865. Online ahead of print. Chemical Composition, Anti-microbial, and Cytotoxic activities of Essential Oils from Blumea densiflora var. hookeri (C.B. Clarke ex Hook.f.) C.C. Chang & Y.Q. Tseng Leaves from Vietnam. Nguyen NV(1), Hoang BT(2), Trinh DT(3). Author information: (1)Dalat University, Biology, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, 67000, Dalat, VIET NAM. (2)University of DaLat, Biology, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat, VIET NAM. (3)University of DaLat, Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat, VIET NAM. The essential oil from the leaves of Blumea densiflora var. hookeri was analyzed using GC-MS, and bioassays were performed. GC-MS identified thirty-four constituents, representing 98.7% of the oil composition. The major compounds identified in the oil were (E)-caryophyllene (15.3%), viridiflorol (5.5%), trans-dauca-4(11),7-diene (4.6%), spathulenol (4.4%), and isolongifolan-7-α-ol (4.3%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was assessed to determine its efficacy against six bacterial strains and one fungal strain using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The essential oil demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. A cytotoxicity assay was performed on KB and A549 cancer cell lines using the MTT method. The essential oil displayed strong cytotoxic effects on both cell lines, with IC50 values of 1.40 ± 0.05 μg/mL for KB and 1.72 ± 0.04 μg/mL for A549. © 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401865 PMID: 39340305 2. Biomolecules. 2024 Sep 7;14(9):1133. doi: 10.3390/biom14091133. The Recent Progress of Tricyclic Aromadendrene-Type Sesquiterpenoids: Biological Activities and Biosynthesis. Yan X(1)(2), Lin J(1)(2), Liu Z(1)(2), David SD(1)(2), Liang D(1)(2), Nie S(1)(2), Ge M(1)(2), Xue Z(1), Li W(1)(2), Qiao J(1)(2)(3). Author information: (1)School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. (2)Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing 312300, China. (3)Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. The tricyclic-aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes are widely distributed and exhibit a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal and cytotoxic properties. Several key sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) of this type have been identified, of which, viridiflorol synthase has been engineered for efficiently biosynthesizing viridiflorol in an Escherichia coli strain. This paper comprehensively summarizes the distribution and biological activity of aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes in plant essential oils and microorganisms. The progress in aromadendrene-type sesquiterpene biosynthesis research, including the modifications of key STSs and the optimization of synthetic pathways, is reviewed. Finally, the prospects and associated challenges for the application and biosynthesis of these natural products are also discussed. DOI: 10.3390/biom14091133 PMCID: PMC11430642 PMID: 39334899 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 3. Molecules. 2024 Jul 28;29(15):3552. doi: 10.3390/molecules29153552. Chemical Composition and Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of Essential Oils from Leaves and Stems of Aeschynomene indica L. Feng L(1), Xu F(1), Qiu S(1), Sun C(1), Lai P(1)(2). Author information: (1)Sdu-Anu Joint Science College, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China. (2)Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China. The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and evaluate the biological capabilities of the essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and stems of wild Aeschynomene indica L. plants by the hydrodistillation method. By using GC-FID/MS, fifty-six and fifty-five compounds, representing 95.1 and 97.6% of the essential oils in the leaves and stems, respectively, were characterized. The predominant constituents of A. indica EOs were (E)-caryophyllene, linalool, viridiflorol, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, trans-verbenol, and α-guaiene. The antibacterial and synergistic activities of the EOs were assessed by microdilution and checkerboard assays. The results revealed a potent inhibition and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MICs of 0.312-0.625 mg/mL. When combined with traditional antibiotics, the essential oils of A. indica possessed excellent synergistic effects against all tested bacteria. Additionally, the EOs of A. indica leaves showed higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.11 ± 0.01 µg/mL) compared to the stem oil (IC50 = 0.19 ± 0.01 µg/mL) using the ABTS radical scavenging assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity of EOs against human cancer cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, A-549, and HCT-116 was examined, and MTT assays showed that the EOs possessed a significant cytotoxic potential against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 10.04 ± 1.82 and 15.89 ± 1.66 μg/mL, and a moderate cytotoxic activity against other tested cells. In conclusion, the A. indica EOs could be considered a potential source of pharmacologically active compounds. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29153552 PMCID: PMC11313771 PMID: 39124959 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 4. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Oct;277(Pt 2):134214. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134214. Epub 2024 Jul 26. Characterization of a novel cytosolic sesquiterpene synthase MpTPS4 from Mentha ×piperita as a bioresource for the enrichment of invaluable viridiflorol in mentha essential oil. Yadav P(1), Mohapatra S(2), Jaiswal PO(1), Dokka N(3), Tyagi S(3), Sreevathsa R(4), Shasany AK(5). Author information: (1)Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, UP, India. (2)Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India. (3)ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India. (4)ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India. Electronic address: Rohini.Sreevathsa@icar.gov.in. (5)Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, UP, India; CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, UP, India. Electronic address: director@nbri.res.in. Our research addresses the challenge of low concentrations of viridiflorol, a unique and highly valuable sesquiterpene found in various Mentha species. We employed biotechnological strategies to enhance viridiflorol production, which could significantly boost export revenue. Mentha piperita L. sesquiterpene synthase (MpTPS4) was the focus of our study because it is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of viridiflorol. Through biochemical characterization, we confirmed that MpTPS4 exclusively synthesizes viridiflorol. By overexpressing MpTPS4 in M. ×piperita L. using a glandular trichome-specific promoter, we achieved a notable increase (9-25 %) in viridiflorol content. Additionally, we explored the practical application of viridiflorol as a deterrent against the herbivore Helicoverpa armigera. The RNAi-mediated knockdown of MpTPS4 resulted in a significant reduction in viridiflorol levels in the essential oil. More importantly, these results show how relevant MpTPS4 is for making viridiflorol and how biotechnology could be used to increase biosynthesis. Our research provides valuable insights into enhancing the production of this commercially important sesquiterpene, offering promising opportunities for the mentha industry. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134214 PMID: 39069055 [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. 5. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Nov 15;334:118542. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118542. Epub 2024 Jul 9. Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and quality control of Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim: A critical review. Tao Y(1), Pu J(2), Wang P(3). Author information: (1)College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China. Electronic address: taoyi1985@zjut.edu.cn. (2)College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China. Electronic address: 211122070095@zjut.edu.cn. (3)College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China. Electronic address: wangping45@zjut.edu.cn. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dried roots of Peucedanum decursivum, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has historically respiratory diseases such as cough, thick phlegm, headache, fever, and gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. AIM OF THE STUDY: Made an endeavor to evaluate the research trajectory of P. decursivum, comprehensively discern its developmental status, and offer a guideline for future investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A meticulous search of literatures and books from 1955 to 2024 via databases like PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI was conducted, including topics and keywords of " P. decursivum" "Angelica decursivum" and "Zihua Qianhu". RESULTS: P. decursivum and its prescriptions have traditionally been used for treating phlegm-heat cough, wind-heat cough, gastrointestinal diseases, pain relief and so on. It contains 234 identified compounds, encompassing coumarins, terpenes, volatile oils, phenolic acids, fatty acids and derivatives. It exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-cancer properties, primarily attributed to coumarins. Microscopic identification, HPLC fingerprinting, and bioinformatics identification are the primary methods currently used for the quality control. CONCLUSION: P. decursivum demonstrates anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, aligning with its traditional use. However, experimental validation of its efficacy against phlegm and viruses is needed. Additionally, analgesic effects mentioned in historical texts lack modern pharmacological studies. Numerous isolated compounds exhibit highly valuable medicinal properties. Future research can delve into exploring these substances further. Rigorous of heavy metal contamination, particularly Cd and Pb, is necessary. Simultaneously, investigating its pharmacokinetics and toxicity in humans is crucial for the safety. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118542 PMID: 38992404 [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.