Immunomodulatory effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Trimesemine™) elucidated in vitro : Implications for chronic disease

Bennett, Amber C; Smith, Carine

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.12.020

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Monocyte and macrophage populations and their response to LPS are well characterised. In the current study, monocytes indeed exhibited an increased GR expression in dams exposed to LPS, which is in line with the relevant literatures [37, 51, 52] and an interpretation of a predominating inflammatory profile existing in the LPS-treated dams. In contrast, macrophages had decreased GR expression levels in response to LPS.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Chronic Gestational Inflammation: Transfer of Maternal Adaptation over Two Generations of Progeny

Adams

Smith

2019

Mediators of Inflammation

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Changes in the in utero environment result in generational transfer of maladapted physiology in the context of conditions such as stress, obesity, and anxiety. Given the significant contribution of noncommunicable diseases—which are characterised by chronic inflammation—to population mortality, the potential for chronic maternal inflammation mediating foetal programming is a growing concern. The extent of generational transfer in terms of immune functionality and leukocyte glucocorticoid sensitivity was investigated over two generations of offspring (F1 and F2) in a model of chronic LPS-induced maternal inflammation in C57/BL/6 mice. Maternal inflammation resulted in glucocorticoid hypersensitivity (increased glucocorticoid receptor expression levels) in the majority of leukocyte subpopulations in both F1 and F2 offspring. Furthermore, splenocytes stimulated with LPS in vitro exhibited exacerbated inflammatory cytokine responses, which were even more prominent in F2 than F1; this effect could be ascribed to NLRP3 inflammasome hyperactivity in F1 but not F2. Current data illustrates that parental chronic inflammation may mediate the inflammatory profile in offspring, potentially propagating a maladapted proinflammatory phenotype in subsequent generations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Chronic Gestational Inflammation: Transfer of Maternal Adaptation over Two Generations of Progeny

Adams

Smith

2019

Mediators of Inflammation

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“…Zembrin ® , a standardized hydroalcoholic extract, was found to be safe and well-tolerated in preclinical studies with mild adverse effects ( Table 1 ) and is widely sold as a dietary supplement [ 275 ]. Another commercially available product is Trimesemine™, a highly-concentrated mesembrine extract (3% mesembrine ( w / w )) that shows a great upregulation of the expression of vesicular monoaminetransporter-2 (VMAT-2), increasing monoamines release as the primary pharmacological effect [ 276 , 277 ]. Kanna alkaloids are metabolized in the liver to O , N -demethylated or dehydroxylated compounds, which are then excreted as glucuronides or sulfates conjugates [ 277 , 278 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects

et al. 2020

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Sexual enhancers increase sexual potency, sexual pleasure, or libido. Substances increasing libido alter the concentrations of specific neurotransmitters or sex hormones in the central nervous system. Interestingly, the same pathways are involved in the mechanisms underlying many psychiatric and neurological disorders, and adverse reactions associated with the use of aphrodisiacs are strongly expected. However, sexual enhancers of plant origin have gained popularity over recent years, as natural substances are often regarded as a safer alternative to modern medications and are easily acquired without prescription. We reviewed the psychiatric and neurological adverse effects associated with the consumption of herbal aphrodisiacs Areca catechu L., Argemone Mexicana L., Citrus aurantium L., Eurycoma longifolia Jack., Lepidium meyenii Walp., Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, Panax quinquefolius L., Pausinystalia johimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille, Piper methysticum G. Forst., Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth., Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N. E. Brown, Turnera diffusa Willd. ex. Schult., Voacanga africana Stapf ex Scott-Elliot, and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases with the aim of identifying all the relevant articles published on the issue up to June 2020. Most of the selected sexual enhancers appeared to be safe at therapeutic doses, although mild to severe adverse effects may occur in cases of overdosing or self-medication with unstandardized products. Drug interactions are more concerning, considering that herbal aphrodisiacs are likely used together with other plant extracts and/or pharmaceuticals. However, few data are available on the side effects of several plants included in this review, and more clinical studies with controlled administrations should be conducted to address this issue.

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“…Promising findings have been reported for pinitol, Sceletium alkaloids, and two alkylamines discovered for the first time from S. tortuosum [ 27 ]. S. tortuosum is a miracle and mood-elevating plant used for the treatment of anxiolytic agents, without disregarding its different antimicrobial properties [ 28 ].…”

Section: Phytochemical Constituents Of Sceletiummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, recently, this chewable plant has been prepared in various forms such as capsules, gel caps, resin, teas, and tinctures, which can be used as a snuff and smoked [ 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Despite the extensive documented history of the psychological and biological effect, few studies have proved that the Sceletium plant possesses useful analgesic properties [ 10 , 28 , 66 , 70 ]. The effects of S. tortuosum were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats.…”

Section: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties Of Sceletium Spmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Chewable Cure “Kanna”: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Sceletium tortuosum

et al. 2021

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Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.Br. (Mesembryanthemaceae), commonly known as kanna or kougoed, is an effective indigenous medicinal plant in South Africa, specifically to the native San and Khoikhoi tribes. Today, the plant has gained strong global attraction and reputation due to its capabilities to promote a sense of well-being by relieving stress with calming effects. Historically, the plant was used by native San hunter-gatherers and Khoi people to quench their thirst, fight fatigue and for healing, social, and spiritual purposes. Various studies have revealed that extracts of the plant have numerous biological properties and isolated alkaloids of Sceletium tortuosum are currently being used as dietary supplements for medicinal purposes and food. Furthermore, current research has focused on the commercialization of the plant because of its treatment in clinical anxiety and depression, psychological and psychiatric disorders, improving mood, promoting relaxation and happiness. In addition, several studies have focused on the isolation and characterization of various beneficial bioactive compounds including alkaloids from the Sceletium tortuosum plant. Sceletium was reviewed more than a decade ago and new evidence has been published since 2008, substantiating an update on this South African botanical asset. Thus, this review provides an extensive overview of the biological and pharmaceutical properties of Sceletium tortuosum as well as the bioactive compounds with an emphasis on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and other significant biological effects. There is a need to critically evaluate the bioactivities and responsible bioactive compounds, which might assist in reinforcing and confirming the significant role of kanna in the promotion of healthy well-being in these stressful times.

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Immunomodulatory effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Trimesemine™) elucidated in vitro : Implications for chronic disease

Cited by 17 publications

References 33 publications

Chronic Gestational Inflammation: Transfer of Maternal Adaptation over Two Generations of Progeny

Chronic Gestational Inflammation: Transfer of Maternal Adaptation over Two Generations of Progeny

Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects

A Chewable Cure “Kanna”: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Sceletium tortuosum

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