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. Chem Biodivers. 2023 Jan;20(1):e202200684. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202200684. Epub 2022 Dec 15. Potential Therapeutic Agents on Alzheimer's Disease through Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Plant-Based Compounds. Borah K(1), Bora K(1), Mallik S(2)(3), Zhao Z(2). Author information: (1)Cotton University, Computer Science and IT Department, Hem Baruah Rd, Pan Bazaar, Guwahati, Assam, 781001, India. (2)Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. (3)Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Globally Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly complex, heterogeneous, and multifactorial neurological disease. AD is categorized clinically through a steady loss in memory and progressive decline of cognitive function. So far, there is no effective cure is available for the treatment of AD. Here, we identified Plant-based compounds (PBCs) from seven therapeutic plants through pharmacophore and pharmacokinetics approaches. Subsequently, we retrieved 65 AD associated proteins by Text Mining approach .We observed the interactions between 39 PBCs with 65 AD-associated targets by using molecular docking. Further, we carried out Molecular dynamics simulation analysis to predict the steady binding of top drug-target complexes. The entire MD simulation results analysis was evidence that seven drug-target complexes consistently interacted during the in silico experiment. The top complexes were the target CHLE interacted with 2 PBCs (Pseudojujubogenin and Anahygrine), target VDAC1 interacted with Withanolide R, target THOP1 interacted with Withaolide R, target AOFB interacted with 2 PBCs (Nardostachysin and Viscosalactone B), and target ACHE interacted with the drug (12-Deoxywithastramonolide). These PBCs have stably and flexibly interacted at the protein's active site region. Our results suggest that these PBCs and targets are potential therapeutic candidates for molecular development in AD. © 2022 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200684 PMID: 36480442 [Indexed for MEDLINE] 2. Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2017;17(1):74-88. doi: 10.2174/1570163813666161019143740. Strong Anti-tumorous Potential of Nardostachys jatamansi Rhizome Extract on Glioblastoma and In Silico Analysis of its Molecular Drug Targets. Kapoor H, Yadav N, Chopra M, Mahapatra SC, Agrawal V(1). Author information: (1)Medicinal Plant Biotechnology and Applied Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma has been reckoned as the prime cause of death due to brain tumours, being the most invasive and lethal. Available treatment options, i.e. surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies are not effective in improving prognosis, so an alternate therapy is insistent. Plant based drugs are efficient due to their synergistic action, multi-targeted approach and least side effects. METHODS: The anti-tumorous potential of Nardostachys jatamansi rhizome extract (NJRE) on U87 MG cell line was evaluated through various in vitro and in silico bio-analytical tools. RESULTS: NJRE had a strong anti-proliferative effect on U87 MG cells, Its IC50 was 33.73±3.5, 30.59±3.4 and 28.39±2.9 μg/mL, respectively after 24, 48 and 72 h. NJRE at 30 μg/mL induced DNA fragmentation, indicating apoptosis, early apoptosis began in the cells at 20 μg/mL, whereas higher doses exhibited late apoptosis as revealed by dual fluorescence staining. NJRE at 60 and 80 μg /mL caused a G0/G1 arrest and at 20 and 40 μg/mL showed excessive nucleation and mitotic catastrophe in the cells. Immuno-blotting validated the apoptotic mode of cell death through intrinsic pathway. NJRE was harmless to normal cells. In silico docking of NJRE marker compounds: oroselol, jatamansinol, nardostachysin, jatamansinone and nardosinone have revealed their synergistic and multi-targeted interactions with Vestigial endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), Cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). CONCLUSION: A strong dose specific and time dependent anti-tumorous potential of NJRE on U87 MG cells was seen. The extract can be used for the development of safe and multi-targeted therapy to manage glioblastoma, which has not been reported earlier. DOI: 10.2174/1570163813666161019143740 PMID: 27774879 [Indexed for MEDLINE] 3. J Nat Prod. 2000 Nov;63(11):1531-3. doi: 10.1021/np990503m. Structure and stereochemistry of nardostachysin, a new terpenoid ester constituent of the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi. Chatterjee A(1), Basak B, Saha M, Dutta U, Mukhopadhyay C, Banerji J, Konda Y, Harigaya Y. Author information: (1)UGC Centre of Advanced Studies on Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Calcutta University, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Calcutta 700 009, India. The structure and stereochemistry of a new terpenoid ester, nardostachysin (1), isolated from the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi, were established as the 7',8'-dihydroxy-4'-methylene hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-1'-one-8'-methyl ester of 7, 9-guaiadien-14-oic acid, by spectral and chemical studies. DOI: 10.1021/np990503m PMID: 11087600 [Indexed for MEDLINE]