Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. BMC Microbiol. 2024 Nov 6;24(1):458. doi: 10.1186/s12866-024-03595-9.

VBNC Cronobacter sakazakii survives in macrophages by resisting oxidative stress 
and evading recognition by macrophages.

Liu Y(1), Zhang J(1), Zhao H(1), Zhong F(1), Li J(1), Zhao L(2).

Author information:
(1)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, 
College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 
Guangdong Province, 510642, China.
(2)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, 
College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 
Guangdong Province, 510642, China. zlc@scau.edu.cn.

Survival in host macrophages is an effective strategy for pathogenic bacterial 
transmission and pathogenesis. Our previous study found that viable but 
non-culturable (VBNC) Cronobacter Sakazakii (C. sakazakii) can survive in 
macrophages, but its survival mechanism is not clear. In this study, we 
investigated the possible mechanisms of VBNC C. sakazakii survival in 
macrophages in terms of environmental tolerance within macrophages and evasion 
of macrophages recognition. The results revealed that VBNC C. sakazakii survived 
under oxidative conditions at a higher rate than the culturable C. sakazakii. 
Moreover, the stringent response gene (relA and spoT) and the 
antioxidant-related genes (sodA, katG, and trxA) were up-regulated, indicating 
that VBNC C. sakazakii may regulate antioxidation through stringent response. On 
the other hand, compared with culturable C. sakazakii, VBNC C. sakazakii caused 
reduced response (Toll-like receptor 4) in macrophages, which was attributed to 
the suppression of biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Furthermore, 
we found that ellagic acid can reduce the survival rate of bacteria in 
macrophages by improving the immune TLR4 recognition ability of macrophages. In 
conclusion, VBNC C. sakazakii may survive in macrophages by regulating oxidative 
tolerance through stringent response and altering LPS synthesis to evade TLR4 
recognition by macrophages, which suggests the pathogenic risk of VBNC C. 
sakazakii.

© 2024. The Author(s).

DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03595-9
PMID: 39506633 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


2. Phytochem Anal. 2024 Nov 4. doi: 10.1002/pca.3464. Online ahead of print.

Study on the Mechanism of Raspberry (Rubi fructus) in Treating Type 2 Diabetes 
Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental 
Validation.

Wang X(1)(2), Zhang X(1), Liao Q(1), Rui X(1), Wang R(3).

Author information:
(1)Department of Pharmacy, AnHui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhu, 
China.
(2)Wuhu Modern Technology Research and Development Center of Chinese Herbal 
Medicine and Functional Food, Wuhu, China.
(3)College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali, China.

AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze the chemical composition of raspberry 
using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology, predict the 
potential effects of raspberry in treating type 2 diabetes through network 
pharmacology, and conduct preliminary validation through in vitro experiments.
METHODS: A Waters CORTECS C18 column (3.0 mm × 100 mm, 2.7 μm) was used; mobile 
phase A consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water and mobile phase B consisted of 
0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Gradient elution was performed with full-scan 
mode in both positive and negative ion modes, covering a mass range of m/z 
100-1500. The chemical components of raspberry were analyzed and identified 
based on secondary spectra from databases and relevant literature. The disease 
targets related to type 2 diabetes were searched, and protein-protein 
interaction network analysis as well as gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto 
Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were 
conducted on the intersecting targets of the active components of raspberry and 
the disease. HepG2 cells were used for experimental validation, with high 
glucose-induced insulin resistance models established. The CCK-8 method was 
employed to assess the effects of raspberry on cell proliferation, while Western 
blotting was used to measure the expression of proteins related to the AGE/RAGE 
signaling pathway.
RESULTS: A total of 47 components were identified, including 10 organic acids, 
15 flavonoids, 12 phenols, 2 alkaloids, 4 terpenoids, 1 miscellaneous compound, 
1 stilbene, 1 steroid and its derivatives, and 1 diterpenoid. Through database 
screening, seven active components were identified: kaempferol, epicatechin, 
ellagic acid, crocetin, stigmasterol, fisetin, and isorhamnetin. KEGG and GO 
results indicated that the therapeutic effects of raspberry on type 2 diabetes 
may be related to the advanced glycation end product (AGE)- receptor for 
advanced glycation end product (RAGE) signaling pathway. Establishment of an 
insulin resistance model in HepG2 cells demonstrated that, compared to the 
control group, the raspberry treatment group upregulated p53 protein expression 
while downregulating the expression of RAGE, Akt1, and Caspase-3 proteins.
CONCLUSION: This study preliminarily elucidates that the therapeutic effects of 
raspberry in treating type 2 diabetes may be mediated through the inhibition of 
the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, providing important references for the study of 
the pharmacological basis and clinical application of raspberry.

© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

DOI: 10.1002/pca.3464
PMID: 39496506


3. J Agric Food Chem. 2024 Nov 4. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c06992. Online ahead of 
print.

Ellagic Acid Protects against Alcohol-Related Liver Disease by Modulating the 
Hepatic Circadian Rhythm Signaling through the Gut Microbiota-NPAS2 Axis.

Zhang H(1), Zhou W(1), Gao P(1), Li Z(1), Li C(1), Li J(2), Bian J(3), Gong 
L(4), He C(1), Han L(1), Wang M(1).

Author information:
(1)Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food Science and Engineering, 
Northwest A&F University, Yang ling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
(2)College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yang 
ling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
(3)Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School, Royal North Shore Hospital, 
University of Sydney, St. Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia.
(4)UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campus, 
University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) encompasses a spectrum of hepatic disorders 
resulting from alcohol abuse, which constitutes the predominant etiology of 
morbidity and mortality associated with hepatic pathologies globally. Excessive 
alcohol consumption disrupts the integrity of the intestinal barrier and 
perturbs the balance of gut microbiota, thereby facilitating the progression of 
ALD. Ellagic acid (EA) has been extensively reported to be an effective 
intervention for alleviating liver symptoms. However, the target molecules of EA 
in improving ALD and its underlying mechanism remain elusive. First, our study 
indicates that EA ameliorated ALD through the hepatic circadian rhythm signaling 
by up-regulating neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (NPAS2). Furthermore, analysis of 
the intestinal microbiome showed that EA significantly enhanced the abundance of 
beneficial bacteria, which was positively correlated with NPAS2 expression and 
negatively correlated with liver injury. Finally, antibiotic treatment and fecal 
microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments established a causal relationship 
between the reshaped microbiota and NPAS2 in the amelioration of ALD. In 
summary, our study demonstrates novel evidence that EA attenuated ALD by 
modulating the hepatic circadian rhythm signaling pathway via the gut 
microbiota-NPAS2 axis, providing valuable insights for EA and 
microbiome-targeted interventions against ALD.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c06992
PMID: 39495286


4. Chem Biodivers. 2024 Oct 31:e202401718. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401718. Online 
ahead of print.

Plantago boissieri : Phytochemical Assessment, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatoryand 
Wound Healing Potential.

Amin E(1), Abouzeid H(2), Afifi N(3), Aboud HM(4), Abd El-Ghafar OAM(5), 
Alabdulrahim AK(6), Ahmed HS(7).

Author information:
(1)Beni Suef University, pharmacognosy, beni-suef, 62514, beni-suef, EGYPT.
(2)Port Said University, pharmacognosy, port said university, port said, EGYPT.
(3)Beni Suef University Faculty of Pharmacy, pharmacognosy, beni-suef, 62514, 
beni-suef, EGYPT.
(4)Beni Suef University, Department of Pharmaceutics,, beni-suef, beni-suef, 
62514, beni-suef, EGYPT.
(5)Nahda University, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,, beni-suef, 
beni-suef, beni-suef, EGYPT.
(6)Qassim University, pharmacognosy, saudi, qassim, SAUDI ARABIA.
(7)Beni-Suef University, pharmacognosy, beni-suef, beni-suef, 62514, beni-suef, 
EGYPT.

Plantago is a large genus under family Plantaginaceae. Plantago species were 
noted for potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. 
The current research investigated the potential bioactivities as the metabolic 
content of Plantagoboisserei extract. Results highlighted the rich content of 
phenolics (450.93 ± 7.4 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoids (144.2 ± 3.6 mg RE/g 
extract). HPLC analysis enabled the detection of 17 phenolic constituents among 
which ellagic acid was found in highest concentration followed by rutin. P. 
boisserei exhibited a potent antioxidant activity evidenced by the IC50 values 
in ABTS and H2O2 assays (10.95 and 10.87 µg/mL, respectively) as well as in TAC 
assay (67.94 mg AAE/g). The anti-microbial activities revealed a moderate 
activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris. In vitro 
anti-inflammatory potential indicated a characteristic inhibition against COX-1 
and COX-2 enzymes with IC50 62.8 and 14.23 µg/mL, respectively, compared to 
ibuprofen (IC50 8.07 and 6.58, respectively). Additionally, P. boisserei extract 
achieved a potent wound healing activity using in vivo rat model, this might be 
attributed to its high content of flavonoids together with other polyphenolic 
compounds that have a great free radical scavenging potential. P. boisserei is a 
promising candidate for more extensive phytochemical and biological exploration.

© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.

DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401718
PMID: 39480030


5. Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Jul 11;12(10):7166-7176. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4327.
eCollection  2024 Oct.

Prediction of storage years of Wuyi rock tea Shuixian by metabolites analysis.

Song X(1)(2), Wu Z(1)(2), Liang Q(2), Ma C(2), Cai P(2).

Author information:
(1)College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou 
Fujian China.
(2)College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University Wuyishan China.

Wuyi rock teas of different storage duration have different flavor, bioactivity, 
and market value, Shuixian is a main variety of Wuyi rock tea. In this study, 
metabolites composition of Shuixian with different storage years were analyzed 
using Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight-Mass 
Spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 1201 compounds were identified, and 104 
differential compounds (VIP > 1.5) were determined. Furthermore, the results 
showed that five compounds exhibited a positive correlation with storage time, 
such as alpha-terpineol formate, carnosol, 2-phenethyl-D-glucopyranoside, 
Ellagic acid, and D-ribosyl nicotinic acid, while 24 compounds showed a negative 
correlation, such as Ethyl linoleate, leucocyanidin, cis-3-hexenyl acetate. In 
total, 29 signature compounds significantly correlated with storage time. These 
findings shed light on the patterns and mechanisms of changes in the composition 
of Wuyi rock tea during storage and provide a theoretical foundation for 
distinguishing the storage years.

© 2024 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals 
LLC.

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4327
PMCID: PMC11521635
PMID: 39479628

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they do not have any 
conflict of interest.