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. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024 Nov 4. doi: 10.1007/s00210-024-03561-2. Online ahead of print. Enhancing orofacial pain relief: α-phellandrene complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin mitigates orofacial nociception in rodents. Machado BG(1), Passos FRS(1), Antoniolli ÂR(1), Menezes Pereira EW(1), Santos TKB(1), Monteiro BS(1), de Souza Siqueira Lima P(2), Matos SS(3), Duarte MC(3), de Souza Araújo AA(3), da Silva Almeida JRG(4), Oliveira Júnior RG(5), Coutinho HDM(6), Quintans-Júnior LJ(1), de Souza Siqueira Quintans J(7). Author information: (1)Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil. (2)Department of Odontology, Centro Universitário de Excelência (Unex), Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil. (3)Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil. (4)Núcleo de Estudos E Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (Neplame), Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. (5)Faculty of Pharmacy, University Paris Cité (UPCité), Paris, France. (6)Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato, CE, Brazil. hdmcoutinho@gmail.com. (7)Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil. jullyanaquintans@gmail.com. Orofacial pain affects 10-15% of adults and can severely impact quality of life. Despite ongoing treatment challenges, monoterpene alpha-phellandrene (PHE) shows potential therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an inclusion complex of PHE with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (PHE-HPβCD) for treating orofacial pain. The PHE-HPβCD complex was created using physical mixing and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine encapsulation efficiency. The complex exhibited a 70.45% encapsulation efficiency. Male Swiss mice were used in models of orofacial pain induced by formalin, cinnamaldehyde, glutamate, and corneal nociception by hypertonic saline. Additionally, cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1β) were measured in the upper lip tissue of mice subjected to the formalin model. Both PHE and PHE-HPβCD showed significant antinociceptive effects at a 50 mg/kg dose during formalin-induced pain, reducing both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of pain. PHE-HPβCD also reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels. For cinnamaldehyde and glutamate-induced nociception, both treatments reduced pain behavior, but only PHE-HPβCD decreased eye wipes in corneal nociception. These results suggest that PHE, especially in complexed form, alleviates orofacial pain by potentially modulating pain-related receptors (TRPA1 and TRPV1), mediators, like glutamate, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further research is needed to explore the precise mechanisms of PHE in chronic orofacial pain models, but the study indicates promising avenues for new pain treatments. © 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03561-2 PMID: 39495266 2. Microorganisms. 2024 Oct 3;12(10):2007. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12102007. Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by Trichoderma asperellum with Antifungal Properties against Colletotrichum acutatum. Chávez-Avilés MN(1), García-Álvarez M(1), Ávila-Oviedo JL(1), Hernández-Hernández I(1), Bautista-Ortega PI(1), Macías-Rodríguez LI(2). Author information: (1)Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, División de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Ciudad Hidalgo, Hidalgo 61100, Mexico. (2)Laboratorio de Bioquímica Ecológica, Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Morelia 58030, Mexico. Managing plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, such as anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species, is challenging. Different methods have been used to identify compounds with antibiotic properties. Trichoderma strains are a source of novel molecules with antifungal properties, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), whose production is influenced by the nutrient content of the medium. In this study, we assessed the VOCs produced in dual confrontation systems performed in two culture media by Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride IMI206040, T. asperellum T1 and T3, and Trichoderma sp. T2) on Colletotrichum acutatum. We analysed the VOC profiles using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The Luria Bertani (LB) medium stimulated the production of VOCs with antifungal properties in most systems. We identified 2-pentyl furan, dimethyl disulfide, and α-phellandrene and determined their antifungal activity in vitro. The equimolar mixture of those VOCs (250 µM ea.) resulted in 14% C. acutatum diametral growth inhibition. The infective ability and disease severity caused by the mycelia exposed to the VOCs mixture were notably diminished in strawberry leaves. Application of these VOCs as biofumigants may contribute to the management of anthracnose. LB represents a feasible strategy for identifying novel VOCs produced by Trichoderma strains with antifungal properties. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12102007 PMCID: PMC11509848 PMID: 39458316 Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 3. Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 16;955:176964. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176964. Online ahead of print. Natural volatile organic compounds (NVOCs) and airborne microorganisms in different stands of urban forests. Wan X(1), Yang C(2), Qiu S(2), Xu W(2), Lian J(1), Zhang J(1), Xing W(3), Yuan Y(4). Author information: (1)Jiangsu Academy of Forestry, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Yangzhou Urban Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Yangzhou, China. (2)College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. (3)Jiangsu Academy of Forestry, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Yangzhou Urban Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Yangzhou, China. Electronic address: lkyxingwei@163.com. (4)College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. Electronic address: yyd@yzu.edu.cn. Natural volatile organic compounds (NVOCs) and airborne microorganisms are important elements in urban forest air that affect air quality and human health. In this study, the Zhuyu Bay urban forest in Yangzhou was selected as the research object, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect the composition of NVOCs in different forest stands. Terpenes, heterocyclic compounds, and esters accounted for the highest proportions. We then explored the effects of NVOCs on the physiological health of each forest stand and used Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome enrichment analysis to identify beneficial secondary metabolites. Among the identified compounds, alpha-phellandrene 1, azulene, and other terpenoids were found to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Heterocyclic compounds, such as 4-Pyridinecarboxylic acid and visnagin, showed significant effects in the treatment of diseases. In addition, we collected and analyzed culturable airborne microorganisms in different forest stands and found that the bamboo forest had the lowest number of culturable airborne microorganisms. To further explore the influence of urban microclimates on air microorganisms and NVOCs, a partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) analysis was conducted. Air negative oxygen ion is an important factor affecting NVOCs, and Air moisture has a significant positive effect on bacteria proportion. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176964 PMID: 39423900 Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. 4. Molecules. 2024 Sep 28;29(19):4614. doi: 10.3390/molecules29194614. Biological Potential and Essential Oil Profile of Two Wild Apiaceae Species from Algeria (Daucus carota L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.): Larvicidal and Antibacterial Effects. Khemili A(1)(2), Bensizerara D(2)(3), Chenchouni H(4)(5), Chaibi R(6), Aissani N(1)(2), Tegegne DT(7)(8), El-Sayed ER(9)(10), Szumny A(9). Author information: (1)Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Abbes Laghrour, Khenchela 40000, Algeria. (2)Laboratory of Biotechnology, Water, Environment and Health (LBWEH), University of Abbes Laghrour, Khenchela 40000, Algeria. (3)Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Abbes Laghrour, Khenchela 40000, Algeria. (4)Laboratory of Algerian Forests and Climate Change (LAFCC), Higher National School of Forests, Khenchela 40000, Algeria. (5)Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments (RNAMS), University of Oum-El-Bouaghi, Oum-El-Bouaghi 04000, Algeria. (6)Laboratory of Biological and Agricultural Sciences (LBAS), University of Amar Telidji, Laghouat 03000, Algeria. (7)Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 31, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland. (8)Animal Biotechnology Research Program, National Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holeta P.O. Box 249, Ethiopia. (9)Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland. (10)Plant Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt. Infectious diseases, including vector-borne and antibiotic-resistant infections, present significant global health challenges, necessitating the exploration of natural alternatives for disease control. In this study, we investigated the essential oil (EO) profile as well as larvicidal and antibacterial properties of two wild Apiaceae species used in Algeria: Daucus carota L. (DCEO) and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (FVEO). EO was extracted from the aerial parts by steam distillation and analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Major constituents identified in DCEO were geranyl acetate (50.07%) and elemicin (10.77%), while FVEO contained estragole (24.93%), fenchone (20.20%), and α-phellandrene (17.96%). Both EOs were highly effective towards Culex pipiens larvae, with low LC50 values of 30.6 ± 1.06 ppm for DCEO and 34.7 ± 1.06 ppm for FVEO, indicating their potential as bioinsecticides due to their bioactivity and bioavailability. Additionally, the two Eos demonstrated moderate antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, respectively, with DCEO showing MIC values of 10 and 20 mg/mL, respectively, and FVEO exhibiting MIC values > 20 mg/mL. However, both EOs showed limited effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 700603. These results highlight the potential applications of DCEO and FVEO as natural bioinsecticides and antibacterial agents, offering promising avenues for further research and development in pest control and food preservation. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29194614 PMCID: PMC11478312 PMID: 39407544 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. 5. BMC Plant Biol. 2024 Oct 1;24(1):915. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05594-4. Widely targeted volatilomics and transcriptome analyses reveal the differences in volatile organic components in differently shaped Amomum tsao-ko fruits. Ma M(1), Fu H(1), Wang T(1), Xiong L(1), Feng P(2), Lu B(3). Author information: (1)Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Characteristic Biological Resources in Southern Yunnan, College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Honghe University, Mengzi, Yunnan, 661199, China. (2)Jinping Shili Medicinal Materials Development Co., Ltd, Jinping, Yunnan, 661500, China. (3)Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Characteristic Biological Resources in Southern Yunnan, College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Honghe University, Mengzi, Yunnan, 661199, China. lby202@126.com. BACKGROUND: Amomum tsao-ko is an important aromatic crop used in medicines and food. It can be categorized into three main types based on the fruit shape: long (L), oval (O), and round (R). However, limited information is available on the volatile substances present in differently shaped A. tsao-ko fruits. This study investigated the characteristics and biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh and dried A. tsao-ko fruits of different shapes using widely targeted volatilomics and transcriptome analyses. RESULTS: In total, 978 VOCs, primarily terpenoids, esters, and heterocyclic compounds, were detected. The number of differentially accumulated volatile organic compounds (DAVOCs) in dried fruits of various shapes was significantly higher than that in fresh fruits, with terpenoids, esters, and heterocyclic compounds accounting for approximately 50% of the total DAVOCs. Notably, α-phellandrene, identified as a shared differential accumulated terpenoid across various fruit shapes, was detected in both fresh and dried fruits. Through transcriptome analysis, 40 candidate genes implicated in the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway were screened. An integrated analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome revealed that the structural genes HMGR-2, TPS7, TPS5-10, TPS21-3, TPS21-5, TPS21-6, TPS21-7, and TPS21-9, along with 81 transcription factors (including 17 NACs, 16 MYBs, 16 AP2/ERFs, 13 WRKYs, 13 bHLHs, and 6 bZIPs), co-regulate the biosynthesis of volatile terpenoids. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands our understanding of the volatile metabolism profile of A. tsao-ko and provides a solid foundation for future investigations of the mechanisms governing fruit quality. © 2024. The Author(s). DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05594-4 PMCID: PMC11443856 PMID: 39350013 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.