Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Front Plant Sci. 2024 Oct 21;15:1475574. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1475574. 
eCollection 2024.

Osmolytes and CsAQP expression jointly influence water physiology in the peel 
and pulp of orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) fruit during postharvest water 
loss.

Lin X(1)(2), Wei Q(1)(2), Zeng L(1)(2), Zhan M(1), Li F(1)(2), Chen J(1), Ma 
Q(1)(2).

Author information:
(1)Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing 
of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key 
Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural 
University, Nanchang, China.
(2)Citrus Science and Technology Backyard of Jinxian Country, Jiangxi Lufeng 
Ecological Agriculture Development Co., LTD, Nanchang, China.

Water loss is a serious issue affecting the quality of postharvest horticultural 
products. Aquaporins (AQPs) regulate the transport of water across biological 
membranes, along the gradient of water potential, and may play a role in water 
loss. In this study, matured orange fruits (Citrus sinensis) stored at ambinent 
temperature (RH 85-95%) for 105 d showed that the weight loss persistently 
increased, and its rate peaked at 45-60 d and 90-105 d. Both water content and 
potential were higher in the pulp than in the peel. Water content rose before 60 
d, and peel water potential fell with an increased gradient after 60 d. 
Comparing with peel, osmolytes such as soluble sugar, sucrose, glucose, 
fructose, and organic acids showed higher accumulation, and their levels were 
the lowest around 60 d. In contrast, soluble protein and inorganic minerals 
showed low levels of accumulation in the pulp. In total, 31 CsAQP genes were 
expressed in the fruit, and most of them were down-regulated in the peel but 
up-regulated in the pulp during storage. These genes were subsequently 
classified into four clusters based on their expression patterns. Genes in 
Cluster I - including CsNIP1;1/2;1/2;2/2;3/3;1/4;1/6;1, 
CsTIP1;3/2;2/2;3/5;1/6;1, CsXIP1;1/1;2, CsSIP1;2, and CsPIP1;2 - were 
persistently up-regulated in the pulp for the 105 d of storage, especially at 
day 60, when some genes showed 103-fold higher expression. Pearson's correlation 
and principal component analysis further revealed a significant positive 
correlation among weight loss rate, water content, and water potential gradient 
(R2 = 0.85). Indexes positively correlated with osmolyte content and Cluster I 
gene expression in pulp samples suggest that increased CsAQP gene expression in 
pulp is linked to faster water loss in oranges, particularly at 60 days 
postharvest.

Copyright © 2024 Lin, Wei, Zeng, Zhan, Li, Chen and Ma.

DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1475574
PMCID: PMC11539049
PMID: 39507356

Conflict of interest statement: Authors XL, QW, LZ, FL, and QM were employed by 
company Jiangxi Lufeng ecological agriculture development Co., LTD. 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.


2. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2024 Oct 31;13(10):2660-2672. doi:
10.21037/tlcr-24-339.  Epub 2024 Oct 28.

SWItch/Sucrose Nonfermentable complex-deficient pulmonary neoplasms: 
clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes to radiotherapy and 
immunotherapy.

Gu Y(#)(1)(2)(3)(4), Lai S(#)(1)(2)(3)(4), Yang J(#)(5), Zhang J(1)(2)(3)(4), 
Fan X(1)(2)(3)(4), Zheng Q(6).

Author information:
(1)Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 
Shanghai, China.
(2)Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 
China.
(3)Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Shanghai, China.
(4)Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai, China.
(5)Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 
Xiaogan, China.
(6)Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 
China.
(#)Contributed equally

BACKGROUND: The SWItch/Sucrose Nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, a multi-subunit 
chromatin remodeler, is linked to aggressive tumors when deficient. Accurate 
identification of SWI/SNF expression status is crucial for tailoring targeted 
therapies. Previous studies on the efficacy of immunotherapy for 
SWI/SNF-deficient (SWI/SNF-d) pulmonary tumors primarily focus on non-small cell 
lung cancer (NSCLC), with limited data on other modalities like radiotherapy. 
This study aims to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and 
prognostic factors of SWI/SNF-d pulmonary neoplasms, including NSCLC and 
undifferentiated tumors, and to evaluate the effectiveness of radiotherapy and 
immunotherapy, providing a foundation for improved treatment strategies and 
prognostic assessments.
METHODS: Patient data on SWI/SNF-d pulmonary neoplasms were collected from Fudan 
University Shanghai Cancer Center, assessing ARID1A, SMARCA2, SMARCA4, and 
SMARCB1 subunit expression via immunohistochemistry, with retrospective analysis 
of survival and treatment results.
RESULTS: The study analyzed 101 SWI/SNF-d pulmonary neoplasms from 675 SWI/SNF-d 
cancer patients (January 2017 to August 2023), mostly male smokers, showing high 
malignancy. Clinicopathologic features were consistent across patients with 
various SWI/SNF subunit deficiencies. TP53 was the most common co-mutated gene 
(71%), followed by STK11, CDKN2A, KRAS, APC, and EGFR. Key prognostic factors 
for overall survival (OS) were distant metastasis, radiotherapy, and 
immunotherapy. Immunotherapy improved 3-year OS rates from 20.8% to 68.4% 
(P<0.001). KRAS-mutated patients on immunotherapy showed a lower 1-year survival 
rate (60.0% vs. 83.1%, P=0.08). Radiotherapy increased 3-year OS rates to 61.7% 
from 30.7% (P=0.012). Of 38 patients treated with immunotherapy, 16 benefited 
from radiotherapy [median OS: 31.4 months vs. not estimable (NE), P=0.045], with 
an average 17.2 days between radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: SWI/SNF-d pulmonary neoplasms, whether with multiple or single 
subunit losses, exhibit similar clinicopathological characteristics. 
Radiotherapy and immunotherapy are effective treatments for these patients, and 
the combination of radiotherapy with immunotherapy may offer synergistic 
effects.

2024 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-24-339
PMCID: PMC11535837
PMID: 39507018

Conflict of interest statement: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have 
completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at 
https://tlcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tlcr-24-339/coif). The authors 
have no conflicts of interest to declare.


3. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2024 Nov 7;22:567-572. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b5816545.

Effects of a Mouthrinse Containing Silver Nanoparticles on Polymicrobial Oral 
Biofilms.

Tomiyama K, Watanabe K, Iizuka J, Hamada N, Mukai Y.

PURPOSE: To investigate the antimicrobial effects of a mouthrinse containing 
silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on polymicrobial biofilms in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polymicrobial biofilms were grown on glass cover slips 
following the method of Exterkate. Saliva collected from a healthy human was 
added to McBain medium (including 0.2% sucrose) to achieve a 50-fold dilution. 
Glass coverslips were attached to the lid of a 24-well culture plate and 
suspended in the medium of each well. After 24 h of cultivating, coverslips with 
biofilms were immersed in each of four treatment solutions or sterile deionized 
water for 5 min. The control and four treatment groups were as follows: 1) 
control: sterile deionized water; 2) nanosilver (NS): mouthrinse containing 
AgNP; 3) 0.05C: 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate; 4) 0.2C: 0.2% chlorhexidine 
gluconate; 5) Xyl: 25% xylitol. The biofilms were further regrown for 48 h. 
After removing the biofilms ultrasonically, they were cultured on blood agar, 
viable cells were counted, and the amount of lactic acid in the biofilms was 
analysed using a colorimetric assay.
RESULTS: Mouthrinse containing AgNP suppressed viable cells in the biofilm to 
the same degree or more than with chlorhexidine gluconate. Amounts of lactic 
acid after 72 h cultivation of biofilms treated with 0.2C and NS showed 
consistently low values.
CONCLUSION: The mouthrinse containing AgNP suppressed viable cells in 
polymicrobial biofilms to the same level as 0.2% chlorhexidine or higher.

DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b5816545
PMID: 39506924 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


4. BMC Neurosci. 2024 Nov 6;25(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s12868-024-00901-z.

APOE4 rat model of Alzheimer's disease: sex differences, genetic risk and diet.

Colarusso B(#)(1), Ortiz R(#)(2), Yeboah J(1), Chang A(1), Gupta M(1), Kulkarni 
P(1), Ferris CF(3)(4).

Author information:
(1)Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 
USA.
(2)Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, 
USA.
(3)Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 
USA. c.ferris@northeastern.edu.
(4)Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern 
University, 125 NI Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115-5000, USA. 
c.ferris@northeastern.edu.
(#)Contributed equally

The strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the ε4 allele 
of apolipoprotein E (ApoE ε4). A high fat diet also adds to the risk of dementia 
and AD. In addition, there are sex differences as women carriers have a higher 
risk of an earlier onset and rapid decline in memory than men. The present study 
looked at the effect of the genetic risk of ApoE ε4 together with a high 
fat/high sucrose diet (HFD/HSD) on brain function in male and female rats using 
magnetic resonance imaging. We hypothesized female carriers would present with 
deficits in cognitive behavior together with changes in functional connectivity 
as compared to male carriers. Four-month-old wildtype and human ApoE ε4 knock-in 
(TGRA8960), male and female Sprague Dawley rats were put on a HFD/HSD for four 
months. Afterwards they were imaged for changes in function using resting state 
BOLD functional connectivity. Images were registered to, and analyzed, using a 
3D MRI rat atlas providing site-specific data on 173 different brain areas. 
Resting state functional connectivity showed male wildtype had greater 
connectivity between areas involved in feeding and metabolism while there were 
no differences between female and male carriers and wildtype females. The data 
were unexpected. The genetic risk was overshadowed by the diet. Male wildtype 
rats were most sensitive to the HFD/HSD presenting with a deficit in cognitive 
performance with enhanced functional connectivity in neural circuitry associated 
with food consumption and metabolism.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00901-z
PMID: 39506641 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


5. Toxicology. 2024 Nov 4:153986. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153986. Online ahead of
 print.

Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Augments Nerve Growth Factor 
Action on PCtrk Cells.

Mutoh T(1), Niimi Y(2), Ueda A(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Fujita Health University Hospital, 
Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
(2)Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Fujita Health University Hospital, 
Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan. Electronic address: tmutoh@fujita-hu.ac.jp.

Although cigarette smoking is known to be a critical risk factor for various 
organ systems and cancers, accumulating evidence indicates that nicotine - a 
main constituent of cigarette smoking - can exert neuroprotective effects on 
neuronal cells through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, the 
precise molecular mechanisms for nicotinic neuroprotective actions remain to be 
fully elucidated. In this study, we examine the effects of agonists, such as 
nicotine and PNU282987, on tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk)-dependent 
neuroprotective pathways in PC12 cells overexpressing a Trk neurotrophin 
receptor (PCtrk cells). We found that even considerably higher concentrations 
(mM range for nicotine and µM range for PN282987) of nAChR agonists exert 
favorable effects, such as the augmentation of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced 
Trk neurotrophin receptor autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues and 
NGF-induced neurite extension. Moreover, nicotine upregulated reactive oxygen 
species (ROS) levels in the cells. ROS production was completely cancelled by 
pretreatment with Mito-Tempo, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, indicating 
that the main source of ROS production by nicotine was mitochondria. 
Furthermore, treatment with nAChR agonists appeared to induce autophagic flux, 
as evidenced by the upregulation of LC3-II expression in cells. Furthermore, 
sucrose density ultracentrifugation of nicotine-treated cells clearly disclosed 
the augmented recruitment of α7nAChR protein into the lipid rafts fraction of 
the membrane. Intriguingly, a pull-down assay of anti-Trk antibody 
immunoprecipitates clearly included α7nAChR protein, indicating that Trk and 
α7nAChR proteins form a complex. These results reveal a new molecular 
interaction between activated α7nAChR and Trk protein that may serve as a new 
molecular basis of nicotine-induced neuroprotective action.

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153986
PMID: 39505136

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors 
declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be 
considered as potential competing interests: Tatsuro Mutoh reports financial 
support was provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and 
Technology (MEXT) of Japan. Tatsuro Mutoh reports a relationship with the 
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan 
that includes: funding grants. If there are other authors, they declare that 
they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that 
could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Conflict of 
interest All authors declare COI regarding the present study.