Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Front Plant Sci. 2024 Oct 23;15:1477280. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1477280. 
eCollection 2024.

Effects of UV-A/B/C on flavonoids and related synthetic enzymes in Tetrastigma 
hemsleyanum.

Li S(#)(1)(2)(3), Xia J(#)(1)(2)(3), Liu S(3), Li Z(1)(2)(3), Shen Q(1)(2)(3), 
Yang F(1)(2)(3), Liu X(4), Bai Y(1)(2)(3).

Author information:
(1)College of Food and Health, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, 
Hangzhou, China.
(2)Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Protection and Innovation of 
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
(3)Botanical Garden, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, 
China.
(4)Zhejiang Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China.
(#)Contributed equally

INTRODUCTION: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is a folk and rare medicinal plant, and 
specifically, it is distributed in the south, China. To investigate the 
cumulative properties of its medicinal components, we examined the effect of UV 
light on flavonoid content and related enzyme activity changes in T. 
hemsleyanum.
METHODS: The leaves and tubers were treated with UV-A, UV-B and UV-C for 1 h, 
1L/23D h, 3 h and 3L/21D h (D represents darkness treatment). High-performance 
liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the content of many flavonoids 
decreased significantly during UV-A treatment, increased after UV-B and UV-C 
irradiation and accumulated again after darkness treatment.
RESULTS: In the root tubers of the UV-A group, naringin content in the 3L/21D h 
group (0.069 μg/g) was 16.30 times higher than that of 3 h group (0.0042 μg/g). 
The rutin content was elevated after UV irradiation but was not detected in the 
CK group. The test results of the enzyme-linked kit indicated that the 
activities of many enzymes were higher in the UV-A and UV-B irradiation groups 
than those in the CK group, but the results were reversed in the UV-C treatment. 
After darkness treatment, the activities of most enzymes were higher than those 
with UV irradiation alone; F3'5'H activity in the 3L/21D h group (97.25 U/L) was 
1.24 times higher than that in the 3 h group (78.12 U/L) in the UV-A-treated 
group.
DISCUSSION: The study results suggest that appropriate UV-B and UV-C 
irradiation, as well as darkness supplementation, had a promotive effect on 
flavonoids in the leaves and root tubers of T. hemsleyanum. Additionally, UV 
irradiation and darkness treatment enhanced the activity of most enzymes.

Copyright © 2024 Li, Xia, Liu, Li, Shen, Yang, Liu and Bai.

DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1477280
PMCID: PMC11537892
PMID: 39507358

Conflict of interest statement: The 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.


2. Int Immunopharmacol. 2024 Nov 4;143(Pt 3):113565. doi: 
10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113565. Online ahead of print.

Ehretia laevis mitigates paracetamol- induced hepatotoxicity by attenuating 
oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.

Singh H(1), Singh T(2), Singh V(3), Singh B(4), Kaur S(5), Ahmad SF(6), 
Al-Mazroua HA(7), Singh B(8).

Author information:
(1)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 
143005, India; Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Amritsar 143005, India. Electronic 
address: hasanpharma.rsh@gndu.ac.in.
(2)Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at 
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. Electronic address: 
tanveersingh1988@gmail.com.
(3)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh 
Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, Punjab, India. Electronic address: 
varinderjassal17@gmail.com.
(4)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 
143005, India. Electronic address: brahmkailay@gmail.com.
(5)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 
143005, India. Electronic address: sarabjit.pharma@gndu.ac.in.
(6)Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud 
University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: fashaikh@ksu.edu.sa.
(7)Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud 
University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: 
halmazroua@ksu.edu.sa.
(8)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 
143005, India. Electronic address: balbir.pharma@gndu.ac.in.

Hepatotoxicity is caused due to intake of drug or any chemical above the 
therapeutic range or as overdose. Current therapies for the management of 
hepatotoxicity are associated with several side effects. The present study was 
envisaged to explore the hepatoprotective potential of Ehretia laevis (E. 
laevis) in paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity. All the plant extracts and 
fractions were evaluated for antioxidant and antiproliferative potential using 
various in vitro assays. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats using a standardized 
single oral dose of PCM (3 g/kg). The aqueous fraction of E. laevis (AFEL) 
exhibited significant antioxidant and antiproliferative activity as compared to 
methanol extract of E. laevis (MEEL) in vitro. Moreover, treatment with AFEL 
(25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) decreased serum hepatic markers, attenuate the oxidative 
stress, inflammation and histopathological changes. LC-MS analysis of AFEL 
showed the presence of rutin, quercetin and kaempferol. Rutin was found to be in 
higher concentration, therefore it was docked on TNF-α. Its overall binding mode 
supports its capability to make complex with TNF-α. The finding of the study 
suggested significant antioxidant, antiproliferative, and hepatoprotective 
potential of E. laevis in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity which could be 
attributed to the presence of various polyphenols.

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

DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113565
PMID: 39504859

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. Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 2024 Nov 6:1-17. doi: 10.1080/10826068.2024.2423636. 
Online ahead of print.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction using response surface methodology 
and HPLC-DAD phenolic compounds quantification from Hylocereus undatus peel and 
pulp cultivated in Tunisia.

Ayouni W(1), Riguene H(1), Yahyaoui A(1), Dhiabi M(2), Dali S(1)(3), Ammar H(2), 
Choura S(4), Chamkha M(4), Ben Salem R(1), Ghayth R(1)(5).

Author information:
(1)Organic Chemistry Laboratory LR17ES08, Sciences of Sfax Faculty, Chemistry 
Department, University of Sfax, Tunisia.
(2)Applied Chemistry Laboratory: Heterocycles, Compounds, and Polymers, Faculty 
of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
(3)Higher Institute of Applied and Technological Sciences of Gabes, University 
of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia.
(4)Laboratory of Environmental Bioprocesses, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, 
University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
(5)Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Sidi Bouzid, Department of Physics & 
Chemistry, University of Kairouan, Tunisia.

The present study aimed to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction process 
for both the peel and pulp of Hylocereus undatus (white dragon fruit) cultivated 
in Tunisia, using response surface methodology. Total phenolic content, total 
flavonoid content, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and DPPH 
(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activities were optimized. A central 
composite design (CCD) was applied, considering three key variables: extraction 
time, extraction temperature, and liquid-to-solid ratio. The optimized 
extraction parameters for Hylocereus undatus peel and pulp were determined 
respectively (9.57 min, 42.20 °C and 27.79 mL/g) and (10.08 min, 40.84 °C and 
31.52 mL/g). The main phenolic compounds identified in Hylocereus undatus peel 
and pulp extracts using HPLC-DAD were chlorogenic and caffeic acids and rutin, 
quercetin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside as flavonoids. Therefore, this research has 
revealed the potential of a sustainable and eco-friendly process hold promise a 
directional option and encouraging a circular economy approach for industrial 
production of antioxidant-rich Hylocereus undatus extracts.

DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2024.2423636
PMID: 39503458


4. J Mycol Med. 2024 Oct 24;34(4):101513. doi: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101513.
Online  ahead of print.

Rumex japonicus Houtt. Leaves: The chemical composition and anti-fungal 
activity.

Xiao D(1), Sun H(2), Li X(3), Meng F(4), Sun T(5), Shao X(6), Ding Y(7), Li 
Y(8).

Author information:
(1)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
20203892018@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(2)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
21203089220@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(3)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
22203089213@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(4)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
22203089214@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(5)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
22203089218@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(6)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
21203089212@stu.ccucm.edu.cn.
(7)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
dingyl@ccucm.edu.cn.
(8)Department of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of 
Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 Jilin, PR China. Electronic address: 
liyong@ccucm.edu.cn.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is a pathogenic commensal fungus. Trichophyton 
mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum are the leading pathogens of 
dermatophysis. Rumex japonicus Houtt. has a miraculous effect on the treatment 
of tinea skin disease, but its mechanism has not been clarified.
PURPOSE: This paper investigated the anti-fungal ingredients of the leaves of 
Rumex japonicus Houtt. (RJH-L) and the mechanism of the anti-fungal 
(Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans).
METHOD: First, the chemical composition analysis of RJH-L was conducted by acid 
extraction and alcohol precipitation, high performance liquid chromatography 
(HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR); in vitro anti-fungal 
experiments were carried out, including the minimum inhibitory concentration 
(MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) spore germination rate, 
germ tube production rate, nucleic acid and protein leakage rate, biofilm 
structure, PCR, etc., to study the mechanism of action of RJH-L anti-fungal and 
anti-biofilm activity.
RESULT: Seven monomer compounds were obtained: anthraquinones (rhein, emodin and 
aloe-emodin); polyphenols (ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid), and flavonoids (rutin 
and quercetin). The results of in vitro anti-fungal experiments showed that the 
extracts of RJH-L had strong inhibitory effect on both fungi (MIC: 1.96 
µg/mL-62.50 µg/mL), of which emodin had the strongest effect on Trichophyton 
mentagrophytes; and rhein had the strongest effect on Candida albicans and 
Trichophyton rubrum. The above active components can inhibit the germination of 
fungal spores and germ tube, change cell membrane permeability, prevent hyphal 
growth, destroy the biofilm structure, and down-regulate the expression of 
agglutinin-like sequencefamily1 of biofilm growth.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that RJH-L are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and 
anthraquinones, and play a fungicidal role.

Copyright © 2024 SFMM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101513
PMID: 39500231

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors 
have no conflict of interest to declare.


5. Food Chem X. 2024 Sep 20;24:101848. doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101848. 
eCollection 2024 Dec 30.

Polyphenol co-pigments enhanced the antioxidant capacity and color stability of 
blue honeysuckle juice during storage.

Geng Y(1), Cui K(1), Ding N(1), Liu H(1), Huo J(2)(3)(4)(1), Sui X(5), Zhang 
Y(2)(3)(4)(1).

Author information:
(1)College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural 
University, Harbin 150030, China.
(2)Heilongjiang Green Food Science Research Institute, Northeast Agricultural 
University, Harbin 150030, China.
(3)Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops 
(Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northeast 
Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
(4)National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Development and 
Utilization of Small Fruits in Cold Regions, Northeast Agricultural University, 
Harbin 150030, China.
(5)College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, 
China.

The study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating five co-pigments (gallic 
acid, quercetin, rutin, catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) on the 
color stability of blue honeysuckle juice (BHJ). Additionally, it sought to 
determine the influence of varying proportions of anthocyanins in an accelerated 
test (light at 40 °C for 24 d). Results indicated that the addition of 
polyphenol co-pigments effectively mitigated the thermal degradation of 
anthocyanins, enhancing color saturation and antioxidant capacity of BHJ. 
Notably, quercetin, rutin, catechin, and EGCG exhibited superior efficacy 
compared to gallic acid. FTIR analysis revealed non-covalent complex formation 
between co-pigments and anthocyanins, including hydrogen bonds and van der Waals 
forces, thereby shielding them from degradation. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 identified 15 
anthocyanins and 39 non-anthocyanin polyphenols. Addition of co-pigments 
effectively curbed anthocyanin degradation, thus stabilizing juice system. 
Consequently, judicious incorporation of co-pigments holds promise as a 
technology for enhancing the color quality and stability of BHJ during 
processing.

© 2024 The Authors.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101848
PMCID: PMC11533655
PMID: 39498247

Conflict of interest statement: 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.