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Plant Secondary Metabolites Modulate Insect Behavior-Steps Toward Addiction?
1Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Frontiers in Physiology
|April 27, 2018
Summary
Plants produce secondary metabolites (PSMs) for defense and attraction. Some PSMs, like alkaloids, are neuroactive and can cause addiction in animals, influencing herbivore feeding behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Ecology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Plants synthesize diverse secondary metabolites (PSMs) for defense against herbivores/microbes and to attract pollinators/seed dispersers.
- PSMs function as bioactive compounds interfering with molecular targets in animals and microbes.
- Some PSMs, particularly alkaloids, act as agonists/antagonists in neuronal signaling, exhibiting neuroactivity and psychoactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known functions of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs).
- To explore the neuroactive and psychoactive properties of PSMs in animals.
- To investigate the evolutionary paradox of defense compounds causing addiction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on plant secondary metabolites.
- Analysis of neurochemical pathways affected by PSMs.
- Examination of behavioral studies on herbivores and vertebrates regarding PSM consumption.
Main Results:
- Many PSMs, especially alkaloids, modulate neuronal signal transduction and can be addictive in vertebrates.
- Specialized herbivores, like Arctiidae moths, sequester toxic PSMs (e.g., pyrrolizidine alkaloids) for defense, reproduction, and exhibit addiction-like feeding behaviors.
- Herbivores show host plant selection based on PSMs, indicating a craving similar to addiction.
Conclusions:
- Plant secondary metabolites have diverse roles, including neuroactivity and influencing addictive behaviors in both plants and animals.
- The evolution of defense compounds as addictive agents presents a complex ecological and evolutionary puzzle.
- Understanding PSM neuroactivity is crucial for ecological interactions and potential human applications.
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