Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci. 2024 Oct 28;2024:9288481. doi: 10.1155/2024/9288481. 
eCollection 2024.

In Vitro Evaluation of Wound Healing, Stemness Potentiation, Antioxidant 
Activity, and Phytochemical Profile of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne Fruit Pulp 
Ethanolic Extract.

Phiboonchaiyanan PP(1), Harikarnpakdee S(2), Songsak T(3), Chowjarean V(4).

Author information:
(1)Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Pathum 
Thani 12000, Thailand.
(2)Department of Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, 
Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand.
(3)Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Pathum 
Thani 12000, Thailand.
(4)Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Rangsit 
University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand.

Wound healing comprises an intricate process to repair damaged tissue. Research 
on plant extracts with properties to expedite wound healing has been of 
interest, particularly their ability to enhance the stemness of keratinocyte 
stem cells. Hence, the present study aims to determine the wound healing and 
stemness potentiation properties of an ethanolic extract derived from Cucurbita 
moschata fruit pulp (PKE). Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and primary skin 
fibroblast cells were used in this study. The migration of the cells was 
examined by using a scratch wound healing assay, and spheroid behavior was 
determined by using a spheroid formation assay. The proteins related to 
migration and stemness were further measured by using Western blotting to 
explore the mechanism of action of PKE. The methods used to evaluate PKE's 
antioxidant properties were 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, 
ABTS radical scavenging activity, and superoxide anion radical scavenging (SOSA) 
assays. The phytochemistry of the PKE was investigated using phytochemical 
screening and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The 
results of this study indicate that nontoxic concentrations of PKE increase the 
rate of migration and spheroid formation. Mechanistically, PKE increased the 
expression of the migratory-related protein active FAK (phosphorylated FAK), and 
the subsequence increased the level of p-AKT. The expression of stem cell marker 
CD133, upstream protein signaling β-catenin, and self-renewal transcription 
factor Nanog was increased. The PKE also possessed scavenging properties against 
DPPH, ABTS, and SOSA. The phytochemistry analyses exhibited the presence of 
alkaloids, glycosides, xanthones, triterpenes, and steroids. Additionally, 
bioactive compounds such as ɑ-tocopherol, riboflavin, protocatechuic acid, 
β-carotene, and luteolin were detected. The presence of these chemicals in PKE 
may contribute to its antioxidant, stem cell potentiation, and wound-healing 
effects. The findings could be beneficial in the identification of valuable 
natural resources that possess the capacity to be used in the process of wound 
healing through the potentiation of stemness via a readily detectable molecular 
mechanism.

Copyright © 2024 Preeyaporn Plaimee Phiboonchaiyanan et al.

DOI: 10.1155/2024/9288481
PMCID: PMC11535185
PMID: 39502575

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


2. Microb Cell Fact. 2024 Nov 5;23(1):298. doi: 10.1186/s12934-024-02569-w.

Screening of novel β-carotene hydroxylases for the production of β-cryptoxanthin 
and zeaxanthin and the impact of enzyme localization and crowding on their 
production in Yarrowia lipolytica.

Soldat M(1)(2), Markuš T(3)(4), Magdevska V(4), Kavšček M(4), Kruis AJ(4), 
Horvat J(4), Kosec G(4), Fujs Š(4), Petrovič U(3)(5).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 
Ljubljana, Slovenia. mladen.soldat@aciesbio.com.
(2)Acies Bio d.o.o, Ljubljana, Slovenia. mladen.soldat@aciesbio.com.
(3)Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
(4)Acies Bio d.o.o, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
(5)Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 
Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Zeaxanthin, a vital dietary carotenoid, is naturally synthesized by plants, 
microalgae, and certain microorganisms. Large-scale zeaxanthin production can be 
achieved through plant extraction, chemical synthesis, or microbial 
fermentation. The environmental and health implications of the first two methods 
have made microbial fermentation an appealing alternative for natural zeaxanthin 
production despite the challenges in scaling up the bioprocess. An intermediate 
between β-carotene and zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, is found only in specific 
fruits and vegetables and has several important functions for human health. The 
low concentration of β-cryptoxanthin in these sources results in low extraction 
yields, making biotechnological production a promising alternative for achieving 
higher yields. Currently, there is no industrially relevant microbial 
fermentation process for β-cryptoxanthin production, primarily due to the lack 
of identified enzymes that specifically convert β-carotene to β-cryptoxanthin 
without further conversion to zeaxanthin. In this study, we used genetic 
engineering to leverage the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as a 
bio-factory for zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin production. We screened 22 
β-carotene hydroxylases and identified eight novel enzymes with β-carotene 
hydroxylating activity: six producing zeaxanthin and two producing only 
β-cryptoxanthin. By introducing the β-carotene hydroxylase from the bacterium 
Chondromyces crocatus (CcBCH), a β-cryptoxanthin titer of 24 ± 6 mg/L was 
achieved, representing the highest reported titer of sole β-cryptoxanthin in Y. 
lipolytica to date. By targeting zeaxanthin-producing β-carotene hydroxylase to 
the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, we increased the production of 
zeaxanthin by 54% and 66%, respectively, compared to untargeted enzyme. The 
highest zeaxanthin titer of 412 ± 34 mg/L was achieved by targeting β-carotene 
hydroxylases to peroxisomes. In addition, by constructing multienzyme 
scaffold-free complexes with short peptide tags RIDD and RIAD, we observed a 39% 
increase in the zeaxanthin titer and a 28% increase in the conversion rate 
compared to the strain expressing unmodified enzyme. The zeaxanthin titers 
obtained in this study are not the highest reported; however, our goal was to 
demonstrate that specific approaches can enhance both titer and conversion rate, 
rather than to achieve the maximum titer. These findings underscore the 
potential of Y. lipolytica as a promising platform for carotenoid production and 
provide a foundation for future research, where further optimization is required 
to maximize production.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02569-w
PMID: 39501284 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


3. Food Technol Biotechnol. 2024 Sep;62(3):373-383. doi: 
10.17113/ftb.62.03.24.8533.

Amino Acid Composition, Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Activity in Extracts 
from Mexican Añejo Cheese.

Torres-Salas V(1), Hernández-Rodríguez BE(2), Vioque-Peña J(3), Girón-Calle 
J(3), Alaiz M(3), Hernández-Montes A(1), Zuleta-Prada H(2).

Author information:
(1)Posgrado en Ciencia y Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Departamento de Ingeniería 
Agroindustrial, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Km. 38.5 Carretera 
México-Texcoco, 56230 Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico.
(2)Departamento de Preparatoria Agrícola, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Km. 
38.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico.
(3)Instituto de la Grasa (C.S.I.C.), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Cta de Utrera 
km. 1, 41089-Sevilla, Spain.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Authentic Mexican cheeses have potential health benefits, 
although there are few studies on their bioactive components. In this study, we 
analysed soluble extracts from añejo cheese from Zacazonapan (Mexico), obtained 
from two dairies (A and B) that used milk from cows of different breeds and 
differed in processing.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The soluble extracts of Zacazonapan añejo cheese during 
ripening (0, 30, 95 and 180 days) were used to determine proximate composition, 
amino acid composition, peptide profile, molecular mass profile, antioxidant and 
antihypertensive activities.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The molecular mass of the released protein fragments 
ranged from 0.10 to 22.43 kDa. During ripening, amino acids such as Pro, His, 
Tyr, Trp, Met, Cys, Ala, Gly, Leu and Val were present, which are associated 
with antioxidant activity. The inhibition of β-carotene bleaching was below 50 % 
at all ripening times. A significant difference between the cheese samples was 
observed only after 180 days. Amino acids associated with angiotensin-I 
converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibition were found in the extracts (Trp, Phe, Tyr, 
Pro, Lys and Arg). The highest activity was observed in cheese ripened for 180 
days (IC50 of cheese A and B was 0.38 and 0.42 mg/mL, respectively).
NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: These results suggest that Zacazonapan 
añejo cheese is a potential source of antioxidant and antihypertensive peptides, 
which are influenced by the dairy factor (milk source and production technique) 
and ripening time. This is relevant as there are no reports of these 
bioactivities in this type of cheese.

Authors.

DOI: 10.17113/ftb.62.03.24.8533
PMCID: PMC11531686
PMID: 39497695

Conflict of interest statement: CONFLICT OF INTEREST Authors declare no conflict 
of interest.


4. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2023 Oct 27:S2212-2672(23)01632-5. doi: 
10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.015. Online ahead of print.

Skin Carotenoids Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy Correlate with Dietary 
Carotenoid Intake in Racially and Ethnically Diverse US Toddlers from Houston, 
Texas.

Varghese V(1), Cepni AB(2), Chang J(3), Kim H(4), Moran NE(5), Ledoux TA(2).

Author information:
(1)School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
(2)Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston 
TX.
(3)USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, 
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
(4)Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
(5)USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, 
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX;. Electronic address: 
Nancy.Moran@bcm.edu.

BACKGROUND: Methods to objectively assess fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in 
young children are needed in order to support rigorous assessments of policies 
and interventions. Non-invasive skin carotenoid concentration measurements may 
provide a rapid assessment of toddler carotenoid and carotenoid-rich FV intake. 
background OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship 
between pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid 
scores (SCSs) with proxy-reported carotenoid and FV intake in racially and 
ethnically diverse, US toddlers.
DESIGN: This study was a secondary analysis of data obtained from a randomized, 
controlled 10-week study of the effect of an interactive healthy playgroup 
intervention versus classroom parent education on the diet and physical activity 
of toddlers. This study collected skin carotenoid and 1-week dietary intake 
using a 31-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire analyzed by 
Nutrient Data System for Research nutrient database. The current study 
determined dietary predictors of toddler SCSs.
PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants were racially and ethnically diverse toddlers 
(12-36 months) and adult guardian dyads (N=50) recruited from the community in 
Houston, TX from Fall 2018-Spring 2019.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At baseline and 10-12 weeks after baseline, SCSs were 
measured by pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter (TM)), 
guardians reported toddler diet using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and 
carotenoid intake was estimated from the FFQ responses using a nutrient 
database.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The relationship between toddler SCSs and intake of total 
and individual carotenoid species, and FV servings was tested using generalized 
linear mixed models, controlling for BMI-for-age percentiles, group assignment, 
and age.
RESULTS: SCSs were positively and significantly predicted by estimated intakes 
of total carotenoids (p=0.002), beta-carotene (p=<0.001), and lutein & 
zeaxanthin (p=0.003). Reported intakes of alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, 
and lycopene were not predictors of SCS. Skin carotenoid scores were predicted 
by estimated total FV intake (p=0.047) and vegetable intake (p=0.006), but not 
fruit intake (p=0.580). results CONCLUSION: These results showed that reported 
dietary carotenoid intake is a significant predictor of SCSs in an ethnically 
and racially diverse population of toddlers. Toddler skin carotenoid measurement 
holds promise as a rapid, objective, non-invasive biomarker of dietary 
carotenoid intake.

Copyright © 2023 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. 
All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.015
PMID: 39491166


5. Front Nutr. 2024 Oct 17;11:1476734. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1476734.
eCollection  2024.

The effect of sesamol on endogenous substances and oxidative stability of walnut 
oil.

Cheng Q(1), Bao Y(1), Lin Q(1), Qi T(1), Zhang X(2).

Author information:
(1)College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, 
Kunming, Yunnan, China.
(2)College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, 
Kunming, Yunnan, China.

This study explored the effect of sesamol on the stability of walnut oil based 
on the changes of endogenous characteristics in the oxidation process, which 
provided a theoretical reference for the application of natural antioxidants in 
walnut oil. A total of 300 mg/kg sesamol (SP), compound antioxidant AC (sesamol 
353.62 mg/kg, citric acid 149.60 mg/kg, and BHA 76.33 mg/kg) and 35% sesame oil 
(35%-SO) were added to walnut oil respectively; in addition, 
200 mg/kg t-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and citric 
acid were used as controls and blank walnut oil to study their effects on 
peroxide value, acid value, carbonyl compounds, conjugated olefins, phenols, 
flavonoids, sterols, vitamin E, β-carotene, and 51 fatty acids of walnut oil and 
their correlation between endogenous antioxidant components. The results showed 
that the addition of SP, 35%-SO, and AC could inhibit the increase of peroxide 
value, acid value, and carbonyl compounds in walnut oil, and could inhibit the 
decrease of β-carotene, total phenols, total sterols, and vitamin E. SP and 
35%-SO could inhibit the decrease of total flavonoids, and several antioxidants 
could inhibit the decrease of endogenous antioxidant components in walnut oil. 
At the same time, it can better inhibit the change of unsaturated fatty acids in 
walnut oil. By the end of oxidation, the unsaturated fatty acids of blank walnut 
oil decreased by 10.31%, but AC, SP, and 35%-SO treatment groups increased by 
10.90, 5.09 and 4.13%, respectively. Indicating that it had a certain protective 
effect on unsaturated fatty acids in walnut oil. There was a certain correlation 
between the endogenous substances of walnut oil. so the addition of several 
antioxidants can enhance the endogenous antioxidants of walnut oil, inhibit the 
oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, and inhibit the increase of carbonyl 
compounds, codienes, acid value, and peroxide value. SP and AC have better 
antioxidant effects on walnut oil and improve the stability of walnut oil.

Copyright © 2024 Cheng, Bao, Lin, Qi and Zhang.

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1476734
PMCID: PMC11525596
PMID: 39483783

Conflict of interest statement: The 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.