Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Clin Lab. 2024 Nov 1;70(11). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240421.

In Vitro Protective Effects of Total Extract and Fractions of Fenugreek 
(Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L.) on Red Blood Cells.

Morshedi I.

BACKGROUND: Erythrocytes are susceptible to oxidative stress throughout their 
lifespan. While compounds like vitamin C can help mitigate oxidative stress, the 
exploration of natural herbal products continues to be a compelling area of 
research. To examine the impact of subfractions derived from acidified 
chloroform fractions of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on red blood 
cells in the presence of H2O2 as an oxidant, we assessed the factors associated 
with erythrocyte aging and oxidative stress.
METHODS: The maceration technique was employed for extracting fenugreek seeds. 
Through chromatography, a total of 12 subfractions were isolated from the 
acidified chloroform extract of fenugreek seeds. Following an initial 
assessment, four subfractions exhibiting lower erythrocyte toxicity were chosen 
for further investigation. The objective was to evaluate their impact on 
erythrocyte aging by measuring the levels of phosphatidylserine (PS), sialic 
acid, CD47 on the erythrocyte surface, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers. 
The obtained results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and data 
analysis was performed by using ANOVA.
RESULTS: The results of this study revealed, that among the 12 subfractions 
derived from the acidified chloroform fraction of fenugreek, four subfractions 
demonstrated protective effects against H2O2-induced hemolysis and oxidative 
stress. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis indicated that treatment with three 
of these subfractions led to elevated levels of CD47 and reduced levels of 
phosphatidylserine on the surface of erythrocytes.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the subfractions of fenugreek extract 
which likely contain a higher concentration of flavonoids and a lower content of 
saponins could be responsible for the observed protection against erythrocyte 
aging processes. It appears that fenugreek seeds have the ability to safeguard 
human erythrocytes from oxidative damage by reducing oxidative stress, 
preserving the activity of antioxidative enzymes, and maintaining the integrity 
of erythrocyte structure.

DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240421
PMID: 39506600 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


2. Nat Prod Res. 2024 Nov 5:1-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2424390. Online ahead
 of print.

A comprehensive analysis of phytochemicals, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, 
antibacterial, antifungal and phytoestrogenic properties of different parts of 
Tribulus terrestris.

Lal M(1), Sutradhar D(1).

Author information:
(1)School of Advanced Science and Languages, VIT Bhopal University, Madhya 
Pradesh, India.

Tribulus terrestris L., a medicinal plant rich in secondary metabolites, was 
studied for optimising bioactive compound extraction from various parts of the 
plant using ethanol-water (50:50), ethanol, and methanol solvents. Analysis of 
extracts for key phytochemicals like polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and 
alkaloids was performed using HPTLC, HPLC and gas chromatography. The 
ethanol-water mixture proved best for extracting saponins and polyphenols, 
ethanol for flavonoids, and methanol for alkaloids. The fruit yielded the 
highest saponin content (59.34% ± 3.87), while leaves were richest in 
polyphenols (18.94% ± 1.39), flavonoids (5.15% ± 1.01), and alkaloids (26.46% ± 
1.71). Leaf extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity against B. 
subtilis and P. aeruginosa, and stem extracts were effective against E. coli. 
Root, stem, and leaf extracts exhibited antifungal activity with leaf extract 
also demonstrating strong phytoestrogenic activity. These findings highlight the 
varied phytochemical profiles and biological activities of T. terrestris, 
suggesting their potential therapeutic uses.

DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2424390
PMID: 39499233


3. Cureus. 2024 Sep 30;16(9):e70491. doi: 10.7759/cureus.70491. eCollection 2024 
Sep.

Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and 
Anti-inflammatory Properties of Aegle marmelos and Its Validation in an In-Vitro 
Cell Model.

Venkatesan S(1), Rajagopal A(1), Muthuswamy B(2), Mohan V(3), Manickam N(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Vascular Biology, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation; 
Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai, IND.
(2)Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Madras Diabetes Research 
Foundation; Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai, IND.
(3)Department of diabetology, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation; Dr. Mohan's 
Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, IND.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent hyperglycemia significantly increases oxidative stress 
and inflammation resulting in multiple cellular and molecular alterations which 
further exacerbate the diabetes associated complications. Aegle marmelos (L.) 
Corrêa is a medicinal plant used in the Indian system of medicine for treating 
various disorders including diabetes. However, studies on phytoconstituents and 
their pharmacological activity of this plant are limited. Therefore, we aimed to 
determine the phytochemical components, evaluate the antidiabetic activity, 
anti-inflammatory activity, and antioxidant activity of A. marmelos leaf 
extract, and validate its mechanistic effects in an in vitro cell model.
METHODS: The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the different 
phytoconstituents in the extract was determined using standardized protocols. 
The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by 
2,2-di-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity assay and 
ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The antidiabetic activity of the 
extract was evaluated by α-amylase inhibition and α-glucosidase inhibition 
assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using an albumin denaturation 
assay. In addition, the pharmacological effect(s) of leaf extract was checked in 
the normal rat kidney fibroblast cells (NRK-49F) under high glucose conditions. 
Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by 
fluorometry using fluorescence probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate 
(DCF-DA). mRNA expression of inflammatory markers including inducible nitric 
oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was studied using 
real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell migration was 
studied using cell scratch assay. Statistical analysis was performed using 
GraphPad Prism version 8.0.
RESULTS: The phytochemical analysis of A. marmelos leaf extract revealed the 
presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, and saponins. The extract showed 
higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH (IC50=258.21 µg/mL) and FRAP assay 
(IC50=293.83 µg/mL). The extract exhibited prominent antidiabetic activity by 
inhibiting enzymes α-Amylase (IC50=73.2 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50=43.9 
µg/mL). In addition, the extract showed effective anti-inflammatory activity by 
significantly inhibiting the denaturation of egg albumin (IC50=102.8 µg/mL). 
Further, the leaf extract significantly decreased the high glucose-induced ROS 
generation as well as inflammatory markers in rat fibroblast cell lines in a 
dose-dependent manner. Additionally, high glucose-induced cell migration as the 
measure of cell injury was effectively reduced by the extract treatment.
CONCLUSION:  A. marmelos leaf extract was quantified to possess a substantial 
amount of important phytoconstituents that have promising pharmacological 
properties. Besides showing antidiabetic activity, the extract significantly 
combats the high glucose-induced ROS generation, inflammatory markers 
expressions, and cell migration. Further, in-depth studies and clinical trials 
are warranted so as to position these traditional remedies for the treatment of 
metabolic disorders.

Copyright © 2024, Venkatesan et al.

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.70491
PMCID: PMC11523027
PMID: 39479139

Conflict of interest statement: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived 
by all participants in this study. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed 
that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of 
interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors 
declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no 
financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. 
Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial 
relationships at present or within the previous three years with any 
organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other 
relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships 
or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.


4. Molecules. 2024 Oct 18;29(20):4928. doi: 10.3390/molecules29204928.

Saponin Molecules from Quinoa Residues: Exploring Their Surfactant, Emulsifying, 
and Detergent Properties.

Bustos KAG(1), Muñoz SS(2), da Silva SS(2), Alarcon MADF(2), Dos Santos JC(2), 
Andrade GJC(1), Hilares RT(1).

Author information:
(1)Laboratorio de Bioprocesos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Bioquímicas y 
Biotecnológicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María-UCSM, Urb. San José 
s/n-Umacollo, Arequipa 04000, Peru.
(2)Department of Biotechnology, Engineering School of Lorena, University of São 
Paulo (EEL-USP), Lorena 12602-810, SP, Brazil.

The indiscriminate use of synthetic surfactants, despite their desirable 
properties, poses significant environmental risks to ecosystems. This study 
explores saponins extracted from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) residues as a 
sustainable alternative. Saponin extract (SE) with 42% purity, obtained through 
hydrodynamic cavitation and membrane technology, was analyzed to determine its 
techno-functional properties. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 1.2 
g/L, reducing the surface tension (ST) from 72.0 mN/m to 50.0 mN/m. The effects 
of temperature (30-90 °C), pH (2-12), and salinity (10,000-150,000 ppm NaCl) on 
ST and the emulsification index (EI) were assessed using a Box-Behnken design. 
Optimized conditions yielded an ST of 49.02 mN/m and an EI of 63%. Given these 
characteristics, SE was evaluated as a detergent across diverse swatches. This 
study showcases the attributes of quinoa-derived saponins, highlighting their 
potential for eco-friendly detergent applications.

DOI: 10.3390/molecules29204928
PMCID: PMC11510682
PMID: 39459296 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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


5. Molecules. 2024 Oct 13;29(20):4848. doi: 10.3390/molecules29204848.

Identification of the Hypoglycemic Active Components of Lonicera japonica Thunb. 
and Lonicera hypoglauca Miq. by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Wu Q(1), Zhao D(1), Leng Y(2), Chen C(1), Xiao K(1), Wu Z(1), Chen F(1).

Author information:
(1)Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine 
Agricultural Biogenomics, The "Double-First Class" Application Characteristic 
Discipline of Hunan Province (Pharmaceutical Science), Changsha Medical 
University, Changsha 410219, China.
(2)Hunan Pharmaceutical Development and investment Group Co., Ltd., Changsha 
410219, China.

Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Lonicera hypoglauca are famous Chinese medicines 
used for hyperglycemia; however, the specific compounds that contributed to the 
hypoglycemic activity and mechanism are still unknown. In this study, the 
antidiabetic activity of L. japonica buds and L. hypoglauca buds, roots, stems, 
and leaves extracts was primarily evaluated, and the L. japonica buds and L. 
hypoglauca buds, roots, and stems extracts displayed significant hypoglycemic 
activity, especially for the buds of L. hypoglauca. A total of 72 high-level 
compounds, including 9 iridoid glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 34 organic acids, and 
17 saponins, were identified by ultra-performance liquid 
chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) 
combined with the fragmentation pathways of standards from different parts of L. 
japonica and L. hypoglauca extracts. Among them, 19 metabolites, including 13 
saponins, were reported for the first time from both medicines. Seven 
high-content compounds identified from L. hypoglauca buds extract were further 
evaluated for hypoglycemic activity. The result indicated that neochlorogenic 
acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, and 
isochlorogenic acid C displayed significant antidiabetic activity, especially 
for isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C, which demonstrated that the 
five chlorogenic-acid-type compounds were the active ingredients of hypoglycemic 
activity for L. japonica and L. hypoglauca. The potential mechanism of 
hypoglycemic activity for isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C was 
inhibiting the intestinal α-glucosidase activity to block the supply of glucose. 
This study was the first to clarify the hypoglycemic active ingredients and 
potential mechanism of L. japonica and L. hypoglauca, providing new insights for 
the comprehensive utilization of both resources and the development of 
hypoglycemic drugs.

DOI: 10.3390/molecules29204848
PMCID: PMC11510595
PMID: 39459215 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: Author Ying Leng was employed by the company 
Hunan Pharmaceutical Development and investment Group 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 potential conflicts of 
interest.