Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Biomolecules. 2024 Oct 16;14(10):1310. doi: 10.3390/biom14101310.

Enhancing Cellular Homeostasis: Targeted Botanical Compounds Boost Cellular 
Health Functions in Normal and Premature Aging Fibroblasts.

Hartinger R(1), Singh K(2), Leverett J(2), Djabali K(1).

Author information:
(1)Epigenetics of Aging, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of 
Medicine, Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), Technical 
University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany.
(2)Amway Corporation, Innovation and Science, 7575 Fulton Street East, Ada, MI 
49355, USA.

The human skin, the body's largest organ, undergoes continuous renewal but is 
significantly impacted by aging, which impairs its function and leads to visible 
changes. This study aimed to identify botanical compounds that mimic the 
anti-aging effects of baricitinib, a known JAK1/2 inhibitor. Through in silico 
screening of a botanical compound library, 14 potential candidates were 
identified, and 7 were further analyzed for their effects on cellular aging. The 
compounds were tested on both normal aged fibroblasts and premature aging 
fibroblasts derived from patients with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome 
(HGPS). Results showed that these botanical compounds effectively inhibited the 
JAK/STAT pathway, reduced the levels of phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT3, and 
ameliorated phenotypic changes associated with cellular aging. Treatments 
improved cell proliferation, reduced senescence markers, and enhanced autophagy 
without inducing cytotoxicity. Compounds, such as Resveratrol, 
Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Pinosylvin, Methyl P-Hydroxycinnamate, cis-Pterostilbene, 
and (+)-Gallocatechin, demonstrated significant improvements in both control and 
HGPS fibroblasts. These findings suggest that these botanical compounds have the 
potential to mitigate age-related cellular alterations, offering promising 
strategies for anti-aging therapies, particularly for skin health. Further in 
vivo studies are warranted to validate these results and explore their 
therapeutic applications.

DOI: 10.3390/biom14101310
PMCID: PMC11506649
PMID: 39456243 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: Authors Khushboo Singh and Jesse Leverett were 
employed by the Amway Corporation. 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. The 
Amway Corporation had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, 
analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the 
decision to publish the results.


2. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Oct 15;337(Pt 3):118943. doi:
10.1016/j.jep.2024.118943.  Online ahead of print.

Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder fruit attenuates aging behaviors and 
neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia activation via TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 
pathway.

Meimei C(1), Fei Z(1), Wen X(2), Huangwei L(1), Zhenqiang H(3), Rongjun Y(4), 
Qiang Z(1), Qiuyang L(1), Xiaozhen L(1), Yuan Y(1), Zhaoyang Y(5), Candong L(6).

Author information:
(1)College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional 
Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM 
Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
(2)Science and Innovation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese 
Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
(3)College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional 
Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM 
Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of 
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation Ministry of Education, Fujian 
University of TCM, China.
(4)College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional 
Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
(5)College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional 
Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM 
Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of 
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation Ministry of Education, Fujian 
University of TCM, China. Electronic address: yzy813@126.com.
(6)College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional 
Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM 
Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China. Electronic address: fjzylcd@126.com.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: As one of the important by-products of Taxus 
chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder, its fruit (TCF) has a sweet taste, which is commonly 
used in folklore to make health care wine reputed for enhancing immune function 
and promoting anti-aging effects, especially popular in the longevity villages 
of China for a long history. Evidences had showed that Taxus chinensis fruit 
contained polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids and terpenoids, which all 
were free of toxic compounds, but its medicinal value has not been fully 
recognized. Our previous studies have found that TCF extract may reverse many 
biological events, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, neuronal 
apoptosis, etc. by in silico methods, suggesting potential avenues for future 
pharmaceutical exploration in aging and age-related diseases.
AIM OF THE STUDY: Yet, the anti-aging properties of TCF have not been 
specifically studied, this study aims to fill this gap by investigating the 
effects of TCF extract (TCFE) in an aging mouse model, particularly focusing on 
its role in inhibiting microglial activation and elucidating its underlying 
anti-aging mechanisms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aging mouse model was induced using D-galactose, with 
interventions involving high, medium, and low doses of TCFE compared to a 
positive control (2 mg/kg rapamycin combined with 100 mg/kg metformin). The 
methodology involved evaluating behavioral changes, serum oxidative and 
antioxidative markers, hypothalamic β-galactosidase activity, expression of the 
aging-related protein P63, serum inflammatory factors, and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 
inflammatory pathway in hypothalamic tissues. Additionally, to strengthen our in 
vivo findings, we conducted in vitro experiments on LPS-stimulated BV2 
microglial cells. Finally, UPLC-MS/MS for precise component analysis using 
compound standards, coupled with molecular docking analyses, were employed to 
discern and elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of TCF.
RESULTS: In vivo results revealed TCFE significantly ameliorated behavioral 
deficits, reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA) and pro-inflammatory cytokines 
(IL1-β, IL-6, IFNg, TNFα, IL-17), and increased in antioxidants (SOD, T-AOC) and 
anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10). TCFE also reduced hypothalamic senescence, 
improved cellular integrity, lowered p63, and inhibited microglia activation and 
inflammatory pathways (TLR4, NFKB, NLRP3). The overall effect of TCFE was better 
than that of the positive drug group (rapamycin combined with metformin). In 
vitro results further revealed that TCFE markedly decreased IL1-β, NFKB, and 
TLR4 levels in BV2 microglial cells, showing comparable efficacy to a TLR4 
classic positive inhibitor C34, supporting its anti-inflammatory role. Through 
UPLC-MS/MS analysis coupled with compound standards, we identified ten bioactive 
compounds, including gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin, procyanidin B2, 
kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, naringin, apigenin, ginkgetin. All these compounds 
showed strong binding affinity to TLR4, notably procyanidin B2 and rutin, 
potentially through hydrogen bonds, aromatic cation-π interactions, and 
hydrophobic interactions, suggesting a molecular basis for their 
anti-inflammatory action.
CONCLUSION: TCFE showed strong anti-aging effects by inhibiting microglia 
activation and lessening oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory pathways. 
This research supports TCF's use in anti-aging and sets a base for future drug 
development in the realms of neuroinflammation and aging.

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118943
PMID: 39413938

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


3. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Sep 27;25(19):10420. doi: 10.3390/ijms251910420.

Influence of Primary Light Exposure on the Morphophysiological Characteristics 
and Phenolic Compounds Accumulation of a Tea Callus Culture (Camellia sinensis 
L.).

Zubova MY(1), Goncharuk EA(1), Nechaeva TL(1), Aksenova MA(1), Zaitsev GP(2), 
Katanskaya VM(1), Kazantseva VV(1), Zagoskina NV(1).

Author information:
(1)K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 
127276 Moscow, Russia.
(2)All-Russia National Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking 
"Magarach", Russian Academy of Sciences, 298600 Yalta, Russia.

Tea plant calli (Camellia sinensis L.) are characterized by the accumulation of 
various phenolic compounds (PC)-substances with high antioxidant activity. 
However, there is still no clarity on the response of tea cells to light 
exposure of varying intensity. The purpose of the research was to study tea 
callus cultures grown under the influence of primary exposure to different light 
intensities (50, 75, and 100 µmol·m-2·s-1). The cultures' growth, morphology, 
content of malondialdehyde and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b), 
accumulation of various PC, including phenylpropanoids and flavanols, and the 
composition of catechins were analyzed. Primary exposure to different light 
intensities led to the formation of chloroplasts in tea calli, which was more 
pronounced at 100 µmol·m-2·s-1. Significant similarity in the growth dynamics of 
cultures, accumulation of pigments, and content of malondialdehyde and various 
phenolics in tea calli grown at light intensities of 50 and 75 µmol·m-2·s-1 has 
been established, which is not typical for calli grown at 100 µmol·m-2·s-1. 
According to data collected using high-performance liquid chromatography, 
(+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, epigallocatechin, gallocatechin gallate, 
epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate were the main components of 
the tea callus culture's phenolic complex. Its content changed under the 
influence of primary exposure to light, reaching the greatest accumulation in 
the final stages of growth, and depended on the light intensity. The data 
obtained indicate changes in the morphophysiological and biochemical 
characteristics of tea callus cultures, including the accumulation of PC and 
their individual representatives under primary exposure to light exposure of 
varying intensity, which is most pronounced at its highest values (100 
µmol·m-2·s-1).

DOI: 10.3390/ijms251910420
PMCID: PMC11477156
PMID: 39408751 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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


4. Phytochem Anal. 2024 Oct;35(7):1659-1673. doi: 10.1002/pca.3409. Epub 2024 Jun
 22.

Reconstruction of quality marker system for Ginkgo Folium tablet using 
UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS, quantum chemical calculation, network pharmacology, and 
molecular simulation.

Chen B(1), Liu S(1), Li X(2), Li C(2), Cai R(3), Zeng J(2), Hu Y(1), Su J(1), 
Chen S(2).

Author information:
(1)Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), 
Cooperative Innovation Centre of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education 
& Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
(2)School of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 
Guangzhou, China.
(3)College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 
Chengdu, China.

INTRODUCTION: Ginkgo Folium tablet (GFT) is a patented traditional Chinese 
medicine prepared from Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GBE). However, the current 
quality indicators for GFT or GBE as designated by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are 
insufficient in preventing counterfeit events.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to putatively identify compounds in GFT and to 
further develop a quality marker (Q-marker) system for GFT.
METHODS: A novel strategy utilizing database-aided ultrahigh-performance liquid 
chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry was employed to analyze the 
lyophilized aqueous powder of GFT. Subsequently, the identified compounds 
underwent quantum chemical calculations, network pharmacology, and molecular 
simulations through in silico approaches to evaluate the Q-marker principles of 
traceability, specificity, and efficiency-relevance.
RESULTS: The results revealed the putative identification of a total of 66 
compounds, including 36 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids and derivatives, 5 terpene 
lactones, 4 fatty acids and derivatives, 3 alkaloids, 1 amino acid, and 10 other 
compounds. Particularly, 16 compounds were unexpectedly observed, and seven 
compounds met the Q-marker principles.
CONCLUSION: This study recommends the seven compounds, namely, 
(-)-gallocatechin, matrine, (-)-epicatechin, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide A, 
ginkgolide B, and curdione, as the anti-counterfeiting pharmacopoeia Q-markers 
for GFT. The reconstruction of the Q-marker system for GFT not only enhances the 
understanding of the compounds in GFT and other GBE-based preparations but also 
provides valuable recommendations for the Pharmacopoeia Commission.

© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

DOI: 10.1002/pca.3409
PMID: 39353880 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


5. Curr Res Food Sci. 2024 Sep 10;9:100843. doi: 10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100843. 
eCollection 2024.

The application of untargeted metabolomics coupled with chemometrics for the 
analysis of agitation effects on the sensory profiles of matcha tea.

Li S(1)(2), Tian H(1), Zhu G(3), Wei Z(1)(2).

Author information:
(1)Department of Biosystems Engineering, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang 
Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
(2)Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment and Robotics for Agriculture of 
Zhejiang Province, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, 
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
(3)College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest MinZu University, Lanzhou, 
730124, PR China.

In the study, the effects of agitating parameters (different agitating rates and 
time) on the aroma and taste profiles of matcha tea were systematically 
investigated by the combination of untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics. The 
aroma profiles of matcha tea agitated at low rates (500 rpm) and for 30 s were 
more richness than that agitated with other parameters by sensory analysis and 
gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry. The key aroma compounds 
contributed to the sensory differences of matcha tea agitated at different rates 
and time were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and partial least 
square-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA), which were further verified by the 
triangle test. Thereinto, 2,4-decadienal associated with the sweet, brown and 
seaweed aroma significantly affected the aroma profiles of matcha tea with 
different agitating rates and time. The levels of bitterness and astringency 
were also higher in matcha tea with low agitating rates and time by sensory 
evaluation, which were attributed to the variations of phenolic compounds. 
Flavonol glycosides, gallic acid and (-)-gallocatechin were determined the key 
compound to the taste differences of matcha tea with different agitating 
parameters by the analysis of PLS-DA based on the results of high performance 
liquid chromatography and the sensory verification. And flavonol glycosides were 
mainly contributed to the bitterness and astringency, and gallic acid and 
(-)-gallocatechin influenced the umami and sweetness of matcha tea. 
Consequently, agitation has the potential to affect the sensory profiles of 
matcha tea by changing aroma and taste substances.

© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100843
PMCID: PMC11415815
PMID: 39309407

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.