Simultaneous Production of Psilocybin and a Cocktail of β‐Carboline Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in “Magic” Mushrooms
Chemistry - A European Journal – November 14, 2019
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
"Magic mushrooms" contain more than just Psilocybin. Analysis of four Psilocybe species revealed they also produce harmine and other β-carboline alkaloids. These natural products, derived from tryptophan through complex biochemistry, are potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors. This chemistry means they prevent the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters, including psilocybin. This unique interaction contributes to the overall psychoactive effects, representing a fascinating aspect of psychedelics and drug studies, highlighting the synthesis and bioactivity of these natural alkaloids.
Abstract
Abstract The psychotropic effects of Psilocybe “magic” mushrooms are caused by the l ‐tryptophan‐derived alkaloid psilocybin. Despite their significance, the secondary metabolome of these fungi is poorly understood in general. Our analysis of four Psilocybe species identified harmane, harmine, and a range of other l ‐tryptophan‐derived β‐carbolines as their natural products, which was confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Stable‐isotope labeling with 13 C 11 ‐ l ‐tryptophan verified the β‐carbolines as biosynthetic products of these fungi. In addition, MALDI‐MS imaging showed that β‐carbolines accumulate toward the hyphal apices. As potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidases, β‐carbolines are neuroactive compounds and interfere with psilocybin degradation. Therefore, our findings represent an unprecedented scenario of natural product pathways that diverge from the same building block and produce dissimilar compounds, yet contribute directly or indirectly to the same pharmacological effects.