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Doesburg-van Kleffens M, Zimmermann-Klemd AM, Gründemann C. An Overview on the Hallucinogenic Peyote and Its Alkaloid Mescaline: The Importance of Context, Ceremony and Culture. Molecules 2023; 28:7942. [PMID: 38138432 PMCID: PMC10746114 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a cactus that contains various biologically active alkaloids-such as pellotine, anhalonidine, hordenine and mescaline. Here, mescaline induces the psychoactive effects of peyote through the activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and the subsequent release of calcium (Ca2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, an evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of mescaline is also currently the subject of research. It is important to consider that the outcome of taking a psychedelic drug strongly depends on the mindset of the recipient and the context (set and setting principle), including ceremonies and culture. This overview serves to summarise the current state of the knowledge of the metabolism, mechanism of action and clinical application studies of peyote and mescaline. Furthermore, the benefits of the potential of peyote and mescaline are presented in a new light, setting an example for combining a form of treatment embedded in nature and ritually enriched with our current highly innovative Western medicine.
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Watkins JL, Li Q, Yeaman S, Facchini PJ. Elucidation of the mescaline biosynthetic pathway in peyote ( Lophophora williamsii). Plant J 2023; 116:635-649. [PMID: 37675639 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is an entheogenic and medicinal cactus native to the Chihuahuan desert. The psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties of peyote are principally attributed to the phenethylamine derivative mescaline. Despite the isolation of mescaline from peyote over 120 years ago, the biosynthetic pathway in the plant has remained undiscovered. Here, we use a transcriptomics and homology-guided gene discovery strategy to elucidate a near-complete biosynthetic pathway from l-tyrosine to mescaline. We identified a cytochrome P450 that catalyzes the 3-hydroxylation of l-tyrosine to l-DOPA, a tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase yielding dopamine, and four substrate-specific and regiospecific substituted phenethylamine O-methyltransferases. Biochemical assays with recombinant enzymes or functional analyses performed by feeding putative precursors to engineered yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains expressing candidate peyote biosynthetic genes were used to determine substrate specificity, which served as the basis for pathway elucidation. Additionally, an N-methyltransferase displaying broad substrate specificity and leading to the production of N-methylated phenethylamine derivatives was identified, which could also function as an early step in the biosynthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids in peyote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta L Watkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Qiushi Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sam Yeaman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Lin J, Yun K, Sun Q, Xiang P, Wu L, Yang S, Dun J, Fu S, Chen H. How to sample a seizure plant: the role of the visualization spatial distribution analysis of Lophophora williamsii as an example. Forensic Sci Res 2023; 8:140-151. [PMID: 37621449 PMCID: PMC10445667 DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds in plants are often unevenly distributed, and determining the best sampling locations to obtain the most representative results is technically challenging. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) can provide the basis for formulating sampling guideline. For a succulent plant sample, ensuring the authenticity and in situ nature of the spatial distribution analysis results during MSI analysis also needs to be thoroughly considered. In this study, we developed a well-established and reliable MALDI-MSI method based on preservation methods, slice conditions, auxiliary matrices, and MALDI parameters to detect and visualize the spatial distribution of mescaline in situ in Lophophora williamsii. The MALDI-MSI results were validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Low-temperature storage at -80°C and drying of "bookmarks" were the appropriate storage methods for succulent plant samples and their flower samples, and cutting into 40 μm thick sections at -20°C using gelatin as the embedding medium is the appropriate sectioning method. The use of DCTB (trans-2-[3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl-2-propenylidene]malononitrile) as an auxiliary matrix and a laser intensity of 45 are favourable MALDI parameter conditions for mescaline analysis. The region of interest semi-quantitative analysis revealed that mescaline is concentrated in the epidermal tissues of L. williamsii as well as in the meristematic tissues of the crown. The study findings not only help to provide a basis for determining the best sampling locations for mescaline in L. williamsii, but they also provide a reference for the optimization of storage and preparation conditions for raw plant organs before MALDI detection. Key Points An accurate in situ MSI method for fresh water-rich succulent plants was obtained based on multi-parameter comparative experiments.Spatial imaging analysis of mescaline in Lophophora williamsii was performed using the above method.Based on the above results and previous results, a sampling proposal for forensic medicine practice is tentatively proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaman Lin
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine in Shanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, China
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Keming Yun
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine in Shanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qiran Sun
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Wu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine in Shanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, China
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Shanlin Fu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine in Shanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
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Lin J, Yang S, Ji J, Xiang P, Wu L, Chen H. Natural or artificial: An example of topographic spatial distribution analysis of mescaline in cactus plants by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1066595. [PMID: 36844095 PMCID: PMC9950628 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1066595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Differentiating whether plant products are natural or artificial is of great importance in many practical fields, including forensic science, food safety, cosmetics, and fast-moving consumer goods. Information about the topographic distribution of compounds is an important criterion for answering this question. However, of equal importance is the likelihood that topographic spatial distribution information may provide important and valuable information for molecular mechanism study. METHODS In this study, we took mescaline, a substance with hallucinogenic properties in cacti of the species Trichocereus pachanoi and Lophophora williamsii, as an example to characterize the spatial distribution of mescaline in plants and flowers by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry-matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging at the macroscopic, tissue structure, and even cellular levels. RESULTS According to our results, the distribution of mescaline in natural plant was concentrated on the active meristems, epidermal tissues, and protruding parts of Trichocereus pachanoi and Lophophora williamsii, while artificially spiked Lophophora diffusa products showed no such difference in their topographic spatial distribution. DISCUSSION This difference in distribution pattern allowed us to distinguish between flowers that could synthesize mescaline on their own and those that had been artificially spiked with mescaline. The interesting topographic spatial distribution results, such as the overlap of the mescaline distribution map and micrographs of the vascular bundles, were consistent with the synthesis and transport theory of mescaline, indicating the potential for applying matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging in botanical research.
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Franco-Molina MA, Santana-Krímskaya SE, Madrigal-de-León LM, Coronado-Cerda EE, Zárate-Triviño DG, Hernández-Martínez SP, García-Coronado PL, Rodríguez-Padilla C. Evaluation of the cytotoxic and immunogenic potential of temozolamide, panobinostat, and Lophophora williamsii extract against C6 glioma cells. EXCLI J 2021; 20:614-624. [PMID: 33883986 PMCID: PMC8056056 DOI: 10.17179/excli2020-3181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant neoplasm of the brain with poor prognosis. The first-line drug against glioblastoma is the alkylating agent temozolamide (TMZ); unfortunately, treatment resistance and tumor re-incidence are common. In some cases, immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers can decrease treatment resistance and tumor recurrence by stimulating an antitumor specific immune response. Not all ICD inducers, however, are suitable for glioma patients because of the low permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Panobinostat (PAN), a histone deacetylase inhibitor and Lophophora williamsii (LW) extract can pass through the BBB and have antitumor properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of TMZ, PAN and LW extract against the glioma C6 cell line, and its role in the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which is a hallmark of ICD. Our results indicate that all treatments induce cellular death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and that PAN and LW extract induce apoptosis, whereas TMZ induces apoptosis and necrosis. Also, that some of the treatments and their sequential administration induce the release of DAMPs. Furthermore, in a rat glioma model, we observed that all treatments decreased tumor volume, but the in vivo cell death mechanism was not ICD. Our findings indicate that TMZ, PAN, and LW combination have a cytotoxic effect against glioma cells but do not induce ICD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Armides Franco-Molina
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Silvia Elena Santana-Krímskaya
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Luis Mario Madrigal-de-León
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Erika Evangelina Coronado-Cerda
- Universidad del Valle de México, Campus Cumbres, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Las Palmas, 5500, Colonia Cima de las Cumbres, Monterrey, Nuevo León, C.P. 64610, Mexico
| | - Diana Ginette Zárate-Triviño
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Sara Paola Hernández-Martínez
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Paola Leonor García-Coronado
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, P.O. Box 46 "F", 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, México
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