Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. In Vivo. 2024 Nov-Dec;38(6):2629-2638. doi: 10.21873/invivo.13739.

Potential Medicinal Efficacy of Alkaline Extract of Pine Seed Shell: Anti-UVC 
Activity and Macrophage Activation.

Acra AM(#)(1)(2), Uota S(#)(1)(3), Yoshihara M(3), Murakami Y(4), Sakagami H(5).

Author information:
(1)Meikai University Research Institute of Odontology (M-RIO), Saitama, Japan.
(2)Faculty of Dentistry, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMex), 
Toluca, Mexico.
(3)Nippon Sunshow Medicine Manufacture Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan.
(4)Division of Oral Diagnosis and General Dentistry, Meikai University School of 
Dentistry, Sakado, Japan.
(5)Meikai University Research Institute of Odontology (M-RIO), Saitama, Japan; 
sakagami@dent.meikai.ac.jp.
(#)Contributed equally

BACKGROUND/AIM: Alkaline extracts of several plants which contain lignin 
degradation products have several unique biological activities. In order to 
search for new biological activities of alkaline extracts of pine seed shell 
(APs), their anti-ultraviolet C (UVC) and macrophage stimulation activity were 
investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-UVC activity was determined by the ratio of the 50% 
cytotoxic concentration against human melanoma cell line COLO679 to the 50% 
UVC-protective concentration. Extracellularly secreted nitrite (NO2 -) by 
unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage-like cells 
RAW264.7 was determined by Griess method.
RESULTS: APs showed significantly higher anti-UVC activity than previously 
reported hot-water extracts of medical herbs. Anti-UVC activity of AP and 
vanillic acid was maintained for much longer than that of sodium ascorbate and 
vanillin. APs enhanced the production of NO2 - to the level induced by LPS. 
Simultaneous addition of AP and LPS did not further increase NO2 - production, 
suggesting their mechanisms of action overlap.
CONCLUSION: The present study suggests the possible application of APs as UVC 
protectors and immunopotentiators via macrophage activation.

Copyright © 2024, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. 
Delinasios), All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13739
PMCID: PMC11535912
PMID: 39477410 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: MY is a representative director of Nippon 
Sunshow Medicine Manufacture Co. Ltd. and provided all pine seed shells used in 
this study. SU is a visiting researcher from Nippon Sunshow Medicine Manufacture 
Co. Ltd. AMA is a visiting researcher from the Autonomous University of the 
State of Mexico (UAEMex), Toluca, Mexico. However, it was confirmed that such 
support did not influence the outcome of the experimental study. The Authors 
wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with 
this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this 
work that could have influenced its outcome.


2. Biochem Res Int. 2024 Oct 18;2024:1904029. doi: 10.1155/2024/1904029. 
eCollection 2024.

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Characterization Among 
Different Parts of Catharanthus roseus: In Vitro and In Silico Investigation.

Hira FA(1), Islam A(1), Mitra K(2), Bithi UH(2), Ahmed KS(2), Islam S(1), 
Abdullah SM(1), Uddin MN(2).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science 
and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh.
(2)Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific 
and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmodi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh.

Background: The study investigates the antioxidant properties of Catharanthus 
roseus, focusing on identifying its antioxidant compounds and chemical 
constituents. We compare antioxidant activities across its root, stem, flower, 
and leaf and examine the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating 
enzymes by the plant's phytocompounds. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive 
analysis that included proximate analysis, mineral content assessment, and in 
vitro antioxidant characterization of various plant parts-root, stem, flower, 
and leaf. The levels of bioactive phytochemicals in both ethanol and 
mixed-solvent extracts of Catharanthus roseus were quantified using 
high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). 
Additionally, we performed molecular docking studies to explore the interactions 
of quantified phytocompounds. Results: HPLC-DAD analysis quantified catechin 
hydrate, catechol, (-) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, trans-cinnamic acid, 
quercetin, vanillic acid, kaempferol, and trans-ferulic acid in Catharanthus 
roseus. Despite the ethanol extract having higher total antioxidant properties 
and flavonoid content, the mixed-solvent extract exhibited higher EC50 for 
reducing power and lower IC50 for ABTS, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 
and metal chelating activities. Molecular docking studies indicated that 
compounds such as catechin, rutin, epicatechin, quercetin, and kaempferol 
significantly inhibit the ROS-generating enzyme microsomal prostaglandin E 
synthase 1 (mPGES-1). Conclusions: The mixed-solvent extract had higher levels 
of catechin hydrate, rutin hydrate, trans-ferulic acid, and vanillic acid, 
whereas the ethanol extract contained more (-) epicatechin, catechol, 
kaempferol, quercetin, and trans-cinnamic acid. While the extracts displayed 
antioxidant activity, the phytoconstituents also inhibited ROS-generating 
mPGES-1. These results identify key compounds with potential for developing new 
chemotherapeutic agents against ROS.

Copyright © 2024 Farjana Akter Hira et al.

DOI: 10.1155/2024/1904029
PMCID: PMC11519068
PMID: 39474335

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.


3. Plant Biotechnol (Tokyo). 2024 Mar 25;41(1):83-87. doi: 
10.5511/plantbiotechnology.23.1218a.

Identification of a di-glucose conjugate of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in bamboo 
cells expressing bacterial 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase.

Ube N(1), Kato Y(1), Nomura T(1).

Author information:
(1)Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama 
Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan.

Rational metabolic-flow switching is an effective strategy that we proposed for 
producing exogenous high-value natural products using transformed plant cells. 
In an earlier proof-of-concept study, we generated bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra; 
Pn) cells expressing the 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase gene of 
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (PpHCHL). The encoded enzyme catalyzes the formation 
of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillin from p-coumaroyl-CoA and feruloyl-CoA, 
respectively. The PpHCHL-transformed Pn cells accumulated mono-glucose 
conjugates (glucoside and glucose ester) of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic 
acid, indicating that the products (aldehydes) of the PpHCHL-catalyzed reaction 
were oxidized by endogenous enzyme(s) in Pn cells. In this study, we re-examined 
the extracts of PpHCHL-transformed Pn cells to screen for additional 
4-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives. An unidentified compound was detected 
exclusively in the PpHCHL-transformed Pn cells. This compound was purified via 
column chromatography and then identified as a di-glucose conjugate of 
4-hydroxybenzoic acid (i.e., β-D-glucopyranosyl 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate), 
implying that some of the mono-glucose conjugates of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were 
converted to the di-glucose conjugate by endogenous enzyme(s) in Pn cells. The 
maximum production titer of this di-glucose conjugate in the suspension-cultured 
cells was 0.38 g l-1, which was the second highest titer among the four glucose 
conjugates produced by the PpHCHL-transformed Pn cells. The study findings 
further support the utility of PpHCHL-transformed Pn cells for the bioproduction 
of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and its derivatives.

© 2024 Japanese Society for Plant Biotechnology.

DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.23.1218a
PMCID: PMC11500581
PMID: 39464863

Conflict of interest statement: Conflict of interestThe authors have no 
conflicts of interest to declare.


4. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 Oct 3;13(10):1200. doi: 10.3390/antiox13101200.

DNA-Protective, Antioxidant and Anti-Carcinogenic Potential of Meadowsweet 
(Filipendula ulmaria) Dry Tincture.

Andonova T(1), Muhovski Y(2), Apostolova E(3), Naimov S(3), Mladenova S(4), 
Slavov I(5), Dincheva I(6), Georgiev V(7), Pavlov A(7)(8), Dimitrova-Dyulgerova 
I(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Botany and Biological Education, Faculty of Biology, University 
of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
(2)Biological Engineering Unit; Life Sciences Department, Walloon Agricultural 
Research Centre, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
(3)Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv 
"Paisii Hilendarski", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
(4)Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of 
Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
(5)Department of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 
Varna, Bulgaria.
(6)Department of Agrobiotechnologies, AgroBioInstitute, Agricultural Academy, 
1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
(7)Laboratory of Cell Biosystems, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy 
of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
(8)Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Technological 
Faculty, University of Food Technologies, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Nowadays, interest in natural antioxidants (especially phenolics) for the 
prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases is increasing due to their fewer 
side effects and more potent activity than some of their synthetic analogues. 
New chemical and pharmacological studies of well-known herbal substances are 
among the current trends in medicinal plant research. Meadowsweet (Filipendula 
ulmaria) is a popular herb used in traditional medicine to treat various 
diseases (including rheumatic-, inflammatory- and tumor-related disease, etc.). 
The dry tincture of Filipendulae ulmariae herba, collected from the Bulgarian 
flora, was analyzed using the HPLC method and bioassayed for antioxidant, 
antiproliferative and DNA-protective activities against oxidative damage. The 
HPLC phenolic profile showed 12 phenolics, of which salicylic acid (18.84 mg/g 
dry extract), rutin (9.97 mg/g de), p-coumaric acid (6.80 mg/g de), quercetin 
(4.47 mg/g de), rosmarinic acid (4.01 mg/g de) and vanillic acid (3.82 mg/g de) 
were the major components. The high antioxidant potential of the species was 
confirmed by using four methods, best expressed by the results of the CUPRAC 
assay (10,605.91 μM TE/g de). The present study reports for the first time the 
highly protective activities of meadowsweet dry tincture against oxidative DNA 
damage and its antiproliferative effect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 
cell line). Meadowsweet dry tincture possesses great potential to prevent 
diseases caused by oxidative stress.

DOI: 10.3390/antiox13101200
PMCID: PMC11504252
PMID: 39456454

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.


5. Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 21;14(1):24785. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-58362-7.

Phytochemical characterization and biomedical potential of Iris kashmiriana 
flower extracts: a promising source of natural antioxidants and cytotoxic 
agents.

Chandni(1), Ahmad SS(1), Saloni A(1), Bhagat G(1), Ahmad S(1), Kaur S(2), Khan 
ZS(3)(4), Kaur G(5), Abdi G(6).

Author information:
(1)Department of Botanical and Environmental Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, 
Amritsar, India.
(2)Department of Botanical and Environmental Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, 
Amritsar, India. satwinderjeet.botenv@gndu.ac.in.
(3)Department of Food Science Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 
India.
(4)Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India.
(5)Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural 
University, Ludhiana, India.
(6)Department of Biotechnology, Persian Gulf Research Institute, Perian Gulf 
University, Bushehr, Iran.

Iris kashmiriana belongs to the family Iridaceae and is an important endemic 
medicinal plant of Kashmir. The current study was designed to determine the 
phytoconstituents, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potential of ethyl acetate 
(IRK-ETH) and methanol (IRK-MTH) extracts of Iris kashmiriana flowers. IRK-MTH 
extract demonstrated maximum radical scavenging activity in DPPH, ABTS, and 
Superoxide anion radical antioxidant assays with IC50 values of 73.15 μg/ml, 
79.05 μg/ml, and 86.52 μg/ml respectively. IRK-ETH and IRK-MTH extracts 
possessed phenolic (70.9 and 208.5 mgGAE/gdw) and flavonoid (487.7 and 
40.55 mgRE/gdw) contents respectively. In MTT assay IRK-ETH demonstrated the 
highest cytotoxicity towards the MCF-7 cell line with a GI50 value of 
49.13 μg/ml. Phase contrast and fluorescence microscopic studies in MCF-7 cells 
revealed that IRK-ETH extract caused condensation of chromatin, rounding of 
cells, and nuclear condensation in cells which shows the apoptotic potential of 
the extract. GCMS analysis for phytochemical characterization revealed the 
presence of 9 compounds in both extracts which have been reported to possess 
antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-oxidant activities. HPLC analysis confirmed 
the presence of different polyphenols in both extracts with IRK-MTH extract 
having maximum polyphenols like epicatechin, rutin, quercetin, vanillic acid, 
sinapic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid. These findings 
suggest that the flowers of Iris kashmiriana possess very good antioxidant and 
cytotoxic potential owing to its rich phytoconstituents.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58362-7
PMCID: PMC11494189
PMID: 39433747 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.