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. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Oct;13(10):32-37. Epub 2020 Oct 1. An Herbal Extract Combination (Biochanin A, Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, and Ginseng Extracts) versus 3% Minoxidil Solution for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-week, Prospective, Randomized, Triple-blind, Controlled Trial. Lueangarun S(1)(2), Panchaprateep R(1)(2). Author information: (1)Dr. Lueangarun is with the Division of Dermatology at Chulabhorn International College of Medicine at Thammasat University in Pathumthani, Thailand. (2)Dr. Panchaprateep is with the Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of an herbal extract combination comprising biochanin A, acetyl tetrapeptide-3, and ginseng extracts, and compare this to 3% minoxidil solution for the treatment of andogenetic alopecia (AGA). METHODS: A 24-week, triple-blinded, randomized controlled study was conducted in male and female subjects (N=32) with mild to moderate AGA. All were randomized to receive twice-daily, 1mL applications of the herbal extract combination or 3% minoxidil solution. Clinical efficacy from photographic assessment and adverse reactions were evaluated. RESULTS: There were thirty-two subjects (16 male, mean age 41.3±13.8 years), with AGA onset and duration of 35.5±13.6 and 6.5±5.1 years, respectively. The herbal extract combination demonstrated a comparable efficacy to 3% minoxidil solution. Expert panel photographic assessment observed a response to both treatments in most patients at 24 weeks, with no statistically significant difference in an increase of terminal hair counts (8.3% [P=0.009] and 8.7% [P=0.002] at 24 weeks in the herbal extract combinations and the 3% minoxidil solution groups, respectively). No local adverse reactions from the herbal extract combination were observed, but one subject developed scalp eczema after using the 3% minoxidil solution. CONCLUSION: The non-significant difference in clinical efficacy and safety to 3% minoxidil solution suggests that the herbal extract combination evaluated here could potentially be an alternative treatment with for AGA. Further studies with larger groups and longer follow-up periods are recommended to verify our results. Copyright © 2020. Matrix Medical Communications. All rights reserved. PMCID: PMC7840088 PMID: 33584955 Conflict of interest statement: FUNDING:No funding was provided for this study. DISCLOSURES:The authors have no conflicts of interest related to the content of this article. 2. Planta Med. 1996 Apr;62(2):115-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-957830. Growth of cultured human bronchiogenic epithelioid CCD-14 Br cells and dermal fibroblasts, NB1 RGB treated with ginseng tetrapeptide and its isomer. Yagi A(1), Ishizu T, Okamura N, Noguchi S, Itoh H. Author information: (1)Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University, Hiroshima, Japan. The configurations of the component amino acids in ginseng tetrapeptide 1 isolated from Panax ginseng were determined by HPLC with an optical resolution column and the structure of 1 was established to be H-L-Val-gamma-D-Glu-D-Arg- Gly-OH. Synthesis of the ginseng tetrapeptide, 1, and of the configuration and conjugation isomers, H-L-Val-gamma-L-Glu-L-Arg-Gly-OH (2), H-L-Val-D-Glu- D-Arg-Gly-OH (3), and H-L-Val-L-Glu-L-Arg-Gly-OH (4) was carried out by a solid-phase method using the Fmoc strategy. The effects of 1-4 on the proliferation of baby hamster kidney (BHK)-21 cells, normal female bronchiogenic epithelioid (CCD-14 Br) cells, and normal human epidermal fibroblast (NB1 RGB) were examined. Only 1 showed 32 and 23% enhancement of BHK-21 and human CCD-14 Br cells growth, respectively, at a concentration of 13.6 microM and 41% enhancement of NB1 RGB cells growth at a concentration of 32 microM under the conditions employed. It was shown that both the configuration of the component amino acids and the peptide conjugation at a gamma-position of D-Glu in 1 are important for proliferation of the cells. Compound 1 exerted a prominent effect on cell stimulation and growth rate without any morphological change and showed no cytotoxicity. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957830 PMID: 8657740 [Indexed for MEDLINE] 3. Planta Med. 1994 Apr;60(2):171-3. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-959444. Effect of a peptide from Panax ginseng on the proliferation of baby hamster kidney-21 cells. Yagi A(1), Akita K, Ueda T, Okamura N, Itoh H. Author information: (1)Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University, Hiroshima, Japan. An alkaline fraction separated by ion exchange chromatographies from the water extract of Panax ginseng root stimulated the proliferation of baby hamster kidney-21 cells. Separation of the alkaline fraction by MCI-gel CHP 20P column chromatography followed by dialysis provided an active material. By a reversed-phase HPLC the active material was separated into six fractions, and an active colorless compound 1 was obtained from fraction 2 in a pure state. Compound 1 was composed of the following amino acids; Gly, Arg, Glu, Val in a ratio of 1:1:1:1, and caused 20% enhancement of proliferation of BHK-21 cells at a concentration of 3.40 microM. On the basis of physical and spectral data the structure of compound 1 was established as a tetrapeptide, Gly-Arg-gamma-Glu-Val-NH2. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959444 PMID: 8202568 [Indexed for MEDLINE]