Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Heliyon. 2024 Oct 21;10(20):e39641. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39641. 
eCollection 2024 Oct 30.

Ethanolic extract of Parkia speciosa pods exhibits antioxidant and 
anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-induced murine macrophages by 
inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway.

Samrit T(1), Changklungmao N(1), Sangpairoj K(2)(3), Buddawong A(4), Kueakhai 
P(1), Chuanboon K(5), Sobhon P(6), Pranweerapaiboon K(4).

Author information:
(1)Food Bioactive Compounds Research Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, 
Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand.
(2)Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, 
Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
(3)Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, 
Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
(4)Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, 
Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
(5)Mahidol University-Frontier Research Facility, Research Management and 
Development Division, Office of the President, Mahidol University, Nakhon 
Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
(6)Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 
10400, Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Parkia speciosa (PS) is commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine and 
traditional medicine to treat diabetes, hypertension, dermatitis, and kidney 
diseases. PS has emerged as a subject of interest because of its potential 
antioxidation and anti-inflammatory properties. However, despite its 
historically long and wide usage, a comprehensive investigation of these 
properties in PS pods (PSp) have not been conducted.
AIMS OF THIS STUDY: This study aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds in 
the ethanolic extract of PSp collected from Southern Thailand and assess whether 
PSp exhibit antioxidant properties and mitigate inflammation in a 
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethanolic extract of PSp was comprehensively analyzed 
using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas 
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify its phytochemical 
constituents. To assess the antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl 
(DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) assays 
were performed, and cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. The effect 
of PSp on reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS) was determined 
using a nitric oxide (NO) assay, and its effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines 
was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time 
quatitvative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Morphological changes following 
treatment were observed using a microscope. Western blot analysis was performed 
to quantify MAPK pathway expression.
RESULTS: PSp contain polyphenols, phytosterols, triterpenes, oxaloacetic acid, 
and unsaturated fatty acids. PSp demonstrated high antioxidant potential in 
scavenging free radicals and exhibited no cytotoxic effects on macrophages. 
Moreover, PSp effectively reduced NO release and inhibited pro-inflammatory 
cytokines such as IL1-β, TNF-α, and IL-6. PSp treatment induced notable 
morphological changes in macrophages, characterized by an increase in cell size 
and the presence of intracellular vacuoles. In addition, Western blot analysis 
showed the selective suppressive effect of PSp on the p38-MAPK pathway.
CONCLUSION: PSp possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, 
making it a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory 
disorders.

© 2024 The Authors.

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39641
PMCID: PMC11538774
PMID: 39506962

Conflict of interest statement: 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. J Sci Food Agric. 2024 Nov 5. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.13999. Online ahead of print.

Valorization of soybean by-products for sustainable waste processing with health 
benefits.

Usman M(1), Li Q(1), Luo D(1), Xing Y(1), Dong D(1).

Author information:
(1)Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College 
of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.

Soybean is a rapidly growing agricultural crop, fueled by the rising global 
demand for animal feed, plant-based proteins and essential nutrients for human 
consumption. Soybeans contain a wide range of essential nutrients that are vital 
for health and may play a significant role in disease prevention. Their 
nutritious composition has led to a diverse range of soy-based foods and 
derivatives available on the market. A substantial amount of soybeans is 
allocated to the animal feed sector, human consumption, nutraceuticals and other 
industrial applications. Soybean has superior protein quality and digestibility 
compared to other legumes. It also contains abundant amounts of isoflavones, 
phytosterols and minerals that augment its nutritional value as a constituent of 
the human diet. Many different by-products are produced during the processing of 
soy. Due to a lack of sustainable food manufacturing practices, a sustainable 
amount of these by-products is discarded as waste, posing environmental 
challenges. Developing an effective waste management system for soybean 
by-products can help address public health concerns and provide a cost-efficient 
way to repurpose valuable components of soy, such as soy meal, okara and soy 
whey. Such valorization can mitigate the environmental impact of waste and 
contribute to malnutrition. This study aims to evaluate the sustainable use of 
soy by-products to help preserve biodiversity and reduce food insecurity. This 
article thoroughly examines the fundamental components of soybean use in the 
fields of health and soybean by-product processing. It provides a summary of 
cost-efficient, feasible and ideal processing technologies. © 2024 Society of 
Chemical Industry.

© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13999
PMID: 39498528


3. J Food Sci. 2024 Nov 4. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.17487. Online ahead of print.

Green technologies for extracting plant waste functional ingredients and new 
food formulation: A review.

Basile G(1), De Luca L(1), Sorrentino G(1), Calabrese M(1), Esposito M(1), 
Pizzolongo F(1), Romano R(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Piazza 
Carlo di Borbone I, Portici (NA), Italy.

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in food waste recovery by both consumers 
and companies. Food waste of plant origin is a source of bioactive compounds, 
such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phytosterols, carotenoids, and 
tocopherols, with well-known antioxidant, anti-glycemic, and antimicrobial 
properties. The use of green and sustainable technologies to recover bioactive 
compounds from food waste is a possible solution to valorize waste following the 
principles of green chemistry. Furthermore, today's consumers are more 
attracted, informed, and aware of the benefits associated with the consumption 
of functional foods, and with this in mind, the use of extracts rich in 
beneficial compounds obtained by green technologies from food waste can be a 
valid alternative to prepare functional foods. In this review, the recovery of 
polyphenols and fibers with green technologies from food waste for the 
formulation of functional foods was presented.

© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Food Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC 
on behalf of Institute of Food Technologists.

DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17487
PMID: 39495566


4. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2024 Oct 30. doi:
10.1007/s40292-024-00686-6.  Online ahead of print.

Effect of Phytosterols on Serum Levels of C-Reactive Protein: A Time- and 
Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aslani S(1)(2), Eslami MM(3), Fakourizad G(4), Faiz AF(5), Mohammadi K(6)(7), 
Dehghan O(8), Imani D(9), Abbaspour A(10), Jamialahmadi T(11)(12), Razi B(13), 
Sahebkar A(14)(15)(16).

Author information:
(1)Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of 
Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
(2)Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, 
Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
(3)Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 
Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
(4)Department of Hematology and Transfusion Science, School of Allied medical 
Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
(5)Department of Para Clinic, School of Medicine, Herat University, Herat, 
Afghanistan.
(6)Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of 
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
(7)Research Center for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imam 
Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
(8)Tropical and Communicable Diseases Research Centre, Iranshahr University of 
Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran.
(9)Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of 
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
(10)Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, 
North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
(11)Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad 
University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
(12)Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 
Mashhad, Iran.
(13)Department of Laboratory Sciences and Hematology, North Khorasan University 
of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran. razi_bahman@yahoo.com.
(14)Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and 
Technical Sciences, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, 
Chennai, India. amir_saheb2000@yahoo.com.
(15)Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad 
University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. amir_saheb2000@yahoo.com.
(16)Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 
Mashhad, Iran. amir_saheb2000@yahoo.com.

INTRODUCTION: Phytosterols are recognized for their cholesterol-reducing effects 
and are commonly used as dietary supplements or added to foods due to their 
potential cardiovascular benefits. However, evidence regarding the impact of 
phytosterol supplementation on inflammatory markers remains inconclusive.
AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effect of 
phytosterols in reducing levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity 
CRP (hs-CRP).
METHODS: A systematic literature search of the primary databases was conducted 
up to May 2024 to identify eligible studies. The measurement of effect sizes was 
determined using WMD (weighted mean difference) and 95% CI.
RESULTS: For the meta-analysis, 14 publications (19 study arms) for hs-CRP and 
10 publications (16 study arms) for CRP were included. The pooled analysis 
showed that the administration of phytosterol did not significantly reduce CRP 
compared to control with WMD= -0.04 mg/l (95% CI: -0.28 to 0.20, P = 0.74). 
However, phytosterol supplementation significantly decreased the hs-CRP level 
compared to the control group with WMD of -0.25 mg/l (95% CI: -0.42 to -0.07, 
P = 0.006). The WMD for hs-CRP reduction was - 0.36 mg/l (95% CI: -0.53 to 
-0.18, P < 0.001) for supplementation with a phytosterol dose ≥ 2000 mg/day 
compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Phytosterol supplementation may be effective in reducing hs-CRP 
levels.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1007/s40292-024-00686-6
PMID: 39476284


5. Front Microbiol. 2024 Oct 11;15:1433175. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1433175. 
eCollection 2024.

Dysbiosis index and fecal concentrations of sterols, long-chain fatty acids and 
unconjugated bile acids in dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy.

Cagnasso F(1), Suchodolski JS(2), Borrelli A(1), Borella F(1), Bottero E(3), 
Benvenuti E(3), Ferriani R(3), Tolbert MK(2), Chen CC(2), Giaretta PR(2), 
Gianella P(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.
(2)Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, 
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.
(3)Associazione Professionale Endovet, Rome, Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Canine protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome 
characterized by gastrointestinal loss of proteins. While fecal microbiome and 
metabolome perturbations have been reported in dogs with chronic enteropathy, 
they have not been widely studied in dogs with PLE. Therefore, the study aims 
were to investigate gut microbiome and targeted fecal metabolites in dogs with 
inflammatory PLE (iPLE) and evaluate whether treatment affects these changes at 
short-term follow-up.
METHODS: Thirty-eight dogs with PLE and histopathological evidence of 
gastrointestinal inflammation and 47 healthy dogs were enrolled. Fecal samples 
were collected before endoscopy (T0) and after one month of therapy (T1). 
Microbiome and metabolome alterations were investigated using qPCR assays 
(dysbiosis index, DI) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (long-chain fatty 
acids, sterols, unconjugated bile acids), respectively.
RESULTS: Median (min-max) DI of iPLE dogs was 0.4 (-5.9 to 7.7) and was 
significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than median DI in healthy dogs [-2.0 (-6.0 to 
5.3)]. No significant associations were found between DI and selected 
clinicopathological variables. DI did not significantly differ between T0 and 
T1. In iPLE dogs, at T0, myristic, palmitic, linoleic, oleic, cis-vaccenic, 
stearic, arachidonic, gondoic, docosanoic, erucic, and nervonic acids were 
significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than healthy dogs. In iPLE dogs, oleic acid (p 
= 0.044), stearic acid (p = 0.013), erucic acid (p = 0.018) and nervonic acid (p 
= 0.002) were significantly decreased at T1. At T0, cholesterol and lathosterol 
(p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in iPLE dogs compared to healthy dogs, 
while total measured phytosterols were significantly lower (p = 0.001). No 
significant differences in total sterols, total phytosterols and total 
zoosterols content were found at T1, compared to T0. At T0, total primary bile 
acids and total secondary bile acids did not significantly differ between 
healthy control dogs and iPLE dogs. No significant differences in fecal bile 
acid content were found at T1.
DISCUSSION: Dysbiosis and lipid metabolism perturbations were observed in dogs 
with iPLE. Different therapeutic protocols lead to an improvement of some but 
not all metabolome perturbations at short-term follow-up.

Copyright © 2024 Cagnasso, Suchodolski, Borrelli, Borella, Bottero, Benvenuti, 
Ferriani, Tolbert, Chen, Giaretta and Gianella.

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1433175
PMCID: PMC11505111
PMID: 39464397

Conflict of interest statement: JS, MT, C-CC, and PRG are employed by the 
Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University, which provides assays for 
intestinal function and microbiota analysis on a fee-for-service basis. The 
remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any 
commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential 
conflict of interest.