Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Oct 29;18:4825-4838. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S481769. 
eCollection 2024.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Alleviates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Protecting the 
Intestinal Barrier Through the Signal Network of VDR, PPARγ and NF-κB.

Zhou Y(1), Xiong X(1), Cheng Z(1), Chen Z(1), Wu S(2), Yu Y(3), Liu Y(4), Chen 
G(1), Li L(5).

Author information:
(1)Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji 
Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 
Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
(2)College of Acupuncture and Bone Injury, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 
Wuhan, 430061, People's Republic of China.
(3)Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic 
of China.
(4)Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union 
Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 
Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
(5)Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, 
430033, People's Republic of China.

PURPOSE: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is an herbal medicine used in traditional 
Chinese medicine (TCM), has the effects of treating colitis and other diseases. 
Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), a major component of ginseng, modulates autoimmunity and 
metabolism. However, the mechanism underlying GRb1 treatment of ulcerative 
colitis (UC) has not yet been elucidated. UC is a refractory inflammatory bowel 
disease (IBD) with a high recurrence rate, and researches on new drugs for UC 
have been in the spotlight for a long time.
METHODS: Mice with DSS-induced UC were treated with GRb1 or 0.9% saline for 10 
days. Colon tissue of UC mice was collected to detect the levels of intestinal 
inflammatory cytokines and integrity of the intestinal barrier. RNA-seq and 
network pharmacology were used to predict the therapeutic targets of GRb1 during 
UC treatment.
RESULTS: GRb1 treatment alleviated intestinal inflammation and improved 
intestinal barrier dysfunction in UC mice. Specifically, GRb1 downregulated the 
levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, while upregulating 
the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Additionally, GRb1 treatment 
increased the levels of tight junction proteins including ZO-1, Occludin, and 
E-cadherin, which are crucial for maintaining intestinal barrier integrity. 
Further analyses using RNA-seq and network pharmacology suggested that these 
effects might involve the regulation of GRb1 in the signal transduction network 
of VDR, PPARγ, and NF-κB.
CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that GRb1 effectively alleviated UC by 
modulating intestinal inflammation and protecting the integrity of the 
intestinal barrier through the signal transduction network of VDR, PPARγ, and 
NF-κB.

© 2024 Zhou et al.

DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S481769
PMCID: PMC11531243
PMID: 39494151 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests that 
could have influenced the work reported in this study.


2. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2024 Oct 28;327:125349. doi: 
10.1016/j.saa.2024.125349. Online ahead of print.

Exploring the potential of diosgenin as a promising antitumor agent through 
comprehensive spectroscopic characterization, solvent-solute interactions, 
topological properties, Hirshfeld surface, and molecular docking interactions 
with 2NZT and 2I1V proteins.

Ram Kumar A(1), Selvaraj S(2), Vickram AS(1), Sheeja Mol GP(3), Awasthi S(4), 
Thirunavukkarasu M(5), Selvaraj M(6), Basumatary S(7).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha 
Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, 
Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India.
(2)Department of Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of 
Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai 602105, 
Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: sselvaphy@gmail.com.
(3)P.G. Department of Physics, St. Joseph's College for Women, Alappuzha 688001, 
Kerala, India, Affiliated to University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695034, 
Kerala, India.
(4)Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Manipal University Jaipur, 
Jaipur 303007, Rajasthan, India.
(5)Department of Physics, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of 
Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai 600062, Tamil Nadu, India.
(6)Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 
61413, Saudi Arabia; Research Centre for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), 
King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.
(7)Department of Chemistry, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar 783370, Assam, India.

This study characterizes the steroidal saponin diosgenin by theoretical and 
experimental spectroscopic techniques. Theoretical simulations were performed 
using the DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set to simulate spectroscopic, 
structural and other properties. Optimized geometries from simulations and 
experiments showed strong agreement, with R2 value of 0.99846 for bond lengths 
and 0.88092 for bond angles. Vibrational spectra revealed distinctive peaks for 
the methyl, methylene, and methine groups in diosgenin. Solvent-solute 
interactions on the Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMO), Molecular Electrostatic 
Potential (MEP) surfaces, and electronic spectra were analyzed, revealing 
insights into diosgenin's behavior in different environments. The FMO energy gap 
shows that polar solvents like acetone, ethanol, and water have wider band gaps 
(6.22-6.23 eV) than non-polar solvents like benzene, chloroform, and toluene 
(6.17-6.20 eV), indicating stronger interactions with polar groups, enhanced 
stability, and reduced reactivity. NBO analysis shows substantial stabilization 
energy (14.71 kJ/mol) when electrons from oxygen's (O1) lone pair are donated to 
the anti-bonding orbital of O2C15 through the transition of LP (2) → σ*. The 
carbon (C15) situated between oxygen (O1) and (O2) exhibits increased 
electronegativity (-1.65605 e), confirming the electronegativity of the oxygen 
atoms. Hirshfeld surfaces shows that the crystal structure is mainly influenced 
by H…H (90.7 %) interaction. Topological analyses revealed molecular 
interactions and chemical bonding within diosgenin, highlighting its diverse 
chemical functionalities. Furthermore, molecular docking and ADME predictions 
underscores diosgenin's potential biological activity against human hexokinase 
(-8.09 kcal/mol) and phosphofructokinase (-8.35 kcal/mol), suggesting its 
efficacy as an antitumor drug.

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

DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.125349
PMID: 39488911

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors 
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal 
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this 
paper.


3. Molecules. 2024 Oct 20;29(20):4962. doi: 10.3390/molecules29204962.

A Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition and Skincare Activities of Red 
and Yellow Ginseng Berries.

Wang YD(1), Han LS(1), Li GY(1), Yang KL(1), Shen YL(2), Zhang H(3), Hou JF(4), 
Wang EP(1).

Author information:
(1)Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 
130117, China.
(2)College of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Changchun University of Chinese 
Medicine, Changchun 130117, China.
(3)Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences CAAS, Changchun 130112, China.
(4)Shiqi Biological R&D Centre (Suzhou Industrial Park) Co., Ltd., Suzhou 
215125, China.

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in chemical composition 
between red (RGBs) and yellow ginseng berries (YGBs) and their whitening and 
anti-aging skincare effects. The differences in the chemical composition between 
RGB and YGB were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem 
quadrupole electrostatic field orbit trap mass spectrometry 
(UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS) combined with multivariate statistics. An aging model 
was established using UVB radiation induction, and the whitening and anti-aging 
effects of the two ginseng berries were verified in vitro and in vivo using cell 
biology (HaCaT and B16-F10 cells) and zebrafish model organisms. A total of 31 
differential compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and 
other chemical constituents, were identified between the two groups. Superoxide 
dismutase (SOD) activity was more significantly increased (p < 0.05) and 
malondialdehyde (MDA) content was more significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in RGB 
more than YGB induced by UVB ultraviolet radiation. In terms of whitening 
effects, YGB was more effective in inhibiting the melanin content of B16-F10 
cells (p < 0.01). The results of zebrafish experiments were consistent with 
those of in vitro experiments and cell biology experiments. The DCFH 
fluorescence staining results revealed that both ginseng berries were able to 
significantly reduce the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in zebrafish (p 
< 0.01). Comparison of chemical composition and skin care activities based on 
RGB and YGB can provide a theoretical basis for the deep development and 
utilization of ginseng berry resources.

DOI: 10.3390/molecules29204962
PMCID: PMC11510097
PMID: 39459330 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: Author Jian-Feng Hou is employed by the company 
Shiqi Biological R&D Centre (Suzhou Industrial Park) 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.


4. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024 Oct 3;17(10):1321. doi: 10.3390/ph17101321.

Comprehensive Review of the Latest Investigations of the Health-Enhancing 
Effects of Selected Properties of Arthrospira and Spirulina Microalgae on Skin.

Chwil M(1), Mihelič R(2), Matraszek-Gawron R(1), Terlecka P(3), Skoczylas MM(4), 
Terlecki K(5).

Author information:
(1)Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in 
Lublin, Akademicka 15 Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
(2)Department of Agronomy, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101 Street, 
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
(3)Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical 
University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8 Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
(4)Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of 
Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H Street, 20-708 Lublin, Poland.
(5)Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, Medical University of Lublin, 
Solidarności 8 Street, 20-841 Lublin, Poland.

Arthospira platensis and Spirulina platensis microalgae are a rich source of 
pro-health metabolites (% d.m.): proteins (50.0-71.3/46.0-63.0), carbohydrates 
(16.0-20.0/12.0-17.0), fats (0.9-14.2/6.4-14.3), polyphenolic compounds and 
phenols (7.3-33.2/7.8-44.5 and 4.2/0.3 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (1.9/0.2 QUE/g) 
used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. This review summarises the 
research on the chemical profile, therapeutic effects in dermatological 
problems, application of Arthrospira and Spirulina microalgae, and 
contraindications to their use. The pro-health properties of these microalgae 
were analysed based on the relevant literature from 2019 to 2024. The antiviral 
mechanism of microalgal activity involves the inhibition of viral replication 
and enhancement of immunity. The anti-acne activity is attributed to alkaloids, 
alkanes, phenols, alkenes, phycocyanins, phthalates, tannins, carboxylic and 
phthalic acids, saponins, and steroids. The antibacterial activity generally 
depends on the components and structure of the bacterial cell wall. Their 
healing effect results from the inhibition of inflammatory and apoptotic 
processes, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulation of angiogenesis, 
and proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The photoprotective action 
is regulated by amino acids, phlorotannins, carotenoids, mycosporins, and 
polyphenols inhibiting the production of tyrosinase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, 
and free oxygen radicals in fibroblasts and the stimulation of collagen 
production. Microalgae are promising molecular ingredients in innovative 
formulations of parapharmaceuticals and cosmetics used in the prophylaxis and 
therapy of dermatological problems. This review shows the application of 
spirulina-based commercial skin-care products as well as the safety and 
contraindications of spirulina use. Furthermore, the main directions for future 
studies of the pro-health suitability of microalgae exerting multidirectional 
effects on human skin are presented.

DOI: 10.3390/ph17101321
PMCID: PMC11510008
PMID: 39458962

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


5. Foods. 2024 Oct 20;13(20):3332. doi: 10.3390/foods13203332.

Optimization of the Homogenization Process of Ginseng Superfine Powder to 
Improve Its Powder Characteristics and Bioavailability.

Sun M(1)(2), Li K(2), Zhang Y(2), Li J(1), Dou D(3), Gong X(1)(2), Li Z(2).

Author information:
(1)School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 
116034, China.
(2)College of Life Science, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China.
(3)College of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Dalian 116600, China.

As consumer demands evolve for health supplements, traditional ginseng products 
are facing challenges in enhancing their powder characteristics and 
bioavailability. The objective of this study was to prepare a novel ginseng 
superfine powder using a high-pressure homogenization (HPH) process. Response 
surface methodology was employed to determine the effects of HPH parameters 
(pressure, number of passes, and concentration) on particle size and the 
dissolution of the saponin components of the superfine powders. The Box-Behnken 
design of experiments was applied to ascertain the optimal HPH parameters for 
the smallest particle size and the highest dissolution of the saponin 
components. For the powders obtained at different parameters, the 
characterization of tap density, bulk density, flowability, water-holding 
capacity, appearance, and taste were observed. The optimized experimental 
conditions for the HPH process were as follows: 15,000 psi (pressure), 3 (number 
of passes), and 1 kg/L (concentration). The optimized values were 55 μm 
(particle size) and 83 mg/g (dissolution of the saponin components), 
respectively. The method offered technical support for the application of the 
HPH process in the preparation of ginseng powders. The objects of this research 
could be broadened to include a diverse array of botanical materials, addressing 
contemporary demands for cost-effectiveness and sustainability within the 
industry.

DOI: 10.3390/foods13203332
PMCID: PMC11508058
PMID: 39456394

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