Botany of modern medicine- Plant/Human biology, the skin, head, and face

plant/human interactions

respiratory, gastrointestinal, topical, olfactory, intravenous

natural substances

substances used in medicine that are unaltered

semi synthetic

laboratory substitutions to a natural substance

synthetic

compound made in a lab

homeopathic medicine

incredibly diluted natural substances that are basically ineffective

flowers

produce pollen or ovules that become seeds in the fruit

fruit

anything that houses seeds

primary metabolites

basic cell structures like DNA, RNA or organelles

secondary metabolites

non essential plant structures

terpenes (IMAGINE ONE)

multiple fused non aromatic carbon rings, use isoprene as a monomer

phenylpropanoids

composed of benzene rings

alkaloids

secondary metabolite containing nitrogen

polyketides

three carbon ring units like THC or CBD, tend to be toxic

flavonoids

a phenylpropanoid combined with a polyketide, 2 rings that branch to another ring, known for antioxidant properties

glycosides

a sugar and a non sugar connected by oxygen atoms

vehicle

treatment that replicates drug delivery

sham

completes all procedure except for the experimental one

endogenous

a substance that is produced within the body

exogenous

a substance that cannot be produced inside the body

amphipathic molecules

have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties

exogenous interactions

molecules that may disrupt enzymes, amphipathic molecules, GPCRs, ion channels, and DNA/cell membranes

antioxidants

prevent the change of molecular structure by reducing free radicals

reactive oxygen species

highly reactive forms of oxygen that are harmful to the body

inflammation

the body's reaction to fix something that involves the delivery of platelets and white blood cells

viruses

the largest population of prokaryotes on the skin

collagen

one of the most abundant proteins in animals that uses vitamin C in its pathway

fibrils

structures made of collagen that are vital to multicellularity and the extracellular matrix

epidermis

outermost layer of skin

dermis

middle layer of skin

atopic dermatitis

inflammation of the skin where skin cells are help together loosely, which leads to penetration of allergens and inflammation

SCORAD

Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Index that involves extent and intensity of disease as well as pruritis and sleep loss- the higher the number, the worse the condition

transepidermal water loss

Abbreviated TEWL; water loss caused by evaporation on the skin's surface.

coconut oil

seed oil rich in lauric and myristic acid, good treatment for atopic dermatitis, saturated fat

olive oil

oil from oily fruits high in oleic acid and phenylpropanoids, unsaturated fat, can act as an antioxidant

honey

used to treat wounds, produces hydrogen peroxide and contains flavonoids and vitamins

eicosanoids

compounds such as prostaglandins and thromboxane that are synthesized by COX1 and aid in wound healing (signaling molecules), produced from omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids

aspirin

acetylates COX enzymes and inhibits COX1 and the inflammatory response, can slow wound healing, based on a willow tree molecule

acne

clogged duct in your skin, often involves strains of cutibacterium acne

tea tree oil

contains mostly terpene structures like terpinen-4-ol and terpinene

citronella grass

citronellal from leaves can be used as a repellant, terpene molecule

beautyberry

callicarpenal harvested from leaves as a repellant, terpene molecule, highly effective

anacardiacae

plants that tend to be toxic or harmful to humans

poison ivy

contains a urushiol compound that causes an adverse reaction in humans, polyketide molecules

mango

fruit that contains resorcinol, may cause the same reaction as poison ivy in some

manchineel

contains huratoxin, toxic tree in Florida that produces sweet fruit

furocoumarin

phototoxic agent produced by apiaceae, rutaceae, and moraceae, polyketides

apiaceae

carrot/celery family

rutaceae

Citrus family

moraceae

fig family

bloodroot

promoted as a topical cancer treatment, is escharotic, contains sanguinarine

escharotic

causes tissue death (necrotic and apoptotic)

nettles

stinging hairs that contain acetylcholine and serotonin, depolarize neurons

prickly pear

mechanical dermatitis, contain barbed glochids and crystallized cellulose

dandruff

flaky scalp, uses tea tree oil as treatment

sclera

white protective layer of the eye

inner retina

location of photoreceptive sensory cells, continuous with optic nerve

choroid

middle, vascular layer of the eye, between the retina and the sclera

iris sphincter

constricts pupil

ciliary body

Structure surrounding the lens that connects the choroid and iris. It contains ciliary muscles, which control the shape of the lens, and it secretes aqueous humor.

aqueous humor

fluid in the eye, found between the cornea and the lens

acetylcholine

causes contraction of ciliary body and iris sphincter

pilocarpus sp.

agonist of muscarinic antagonist

atropine

muscarinic agonist, historically used to dilate pupils

tropicamide

synthetic muscarinic antagonist

glaucoma

collapsed eye canal

pilocarpine

potential treatment for glaucoma, will cause aqueous humor to contract and flow

cannabis

has been used in the treatment of glaucoma, contains polyketides, inhibitory to muscarinic GPCR and will hyper polarize neurons

diabetic retinopathy

hyperglycemia in the eye, leads to cellular damage of the retina and blood vessels, excess fructose damages proteins

pericyte death

cells wrap around vessels, can be a side effect of diabetic retinopathy

onion

releases syn-propanethial-s-oxide which causes eyes to burn

headaches and migraines

can be caused by inflammation, activates pain sensing nerves through TRPA1 agonists, high CGRP1 activity, low 5-HT activity

CGRP1

calcitonin gene-related peptide activity

headache tree

agonist of TRPA1 channel which leads to CGRP1 release and inflammation/pain signal

caffeine

antagonizes adenosine receptors

salivary a-amylase

breaks down starch, multiple copies in humans, inactivated by stomach pH

lipase

breaks down lipids

hydroxyapatite

mineral compound that makes up teeth

acidification

demineralization of the teeth caused by low pH found in sugary compounds

caries

cavities

plaque

microorganism films on teeth

stevioside

glycoside sweetener extracted from South American plant

m3 muscarinic receptors

increase saliva flow when agonized

cocaine

inhibits muscarinic receptors, linked to caries

sweet receptors

T1R2/T1R3 receptors activated by sugars, acid, and miraculin

gymnemic acid

antagonist of sweet receptors

miracle fruit

contains miraculin

umami receptors

T1R1/T1R3, activated by glutamate and aspartate amino acids

bitter receptors

T2Rs, around 25 different receptors in humans

multiple-ring structures

tend to agonize bitter receptors

periodontitis

inflammation of the gums that is negatively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake

sesame seed oil

good oil for oil pulling and oral health

araceae

plants that contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause stinging and edema

ethanol

obtained from drinking alcohol, increases cancer risk due to presence of acetaldehyde

tobacco

poses oral/lung cancer risk due to the formation of nitrosamines that bind to DNA