In Silico Studies on Psilocybin Drug Derivatives Against SARS-CoV-2 and Cytokine Storm of Human Interleukin-6 Receptor
Frontiers in Immunology – January 14, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, shows exciting potential against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herbal Medicine Research Studies show compounds like psilacetin bind strongly to SARS-CoV-2 Mprotease, with -6.0 kcal/mol binding energy. This Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Study also reveals psilacetin inhibits human interleukin-6 receptors, potentially reducing dangerous cytokine storm. Such pharmacology and biochemistry insights, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies exploring non-psychotomimetic applications, highlight the chemistry of these compounds in biology, suggesting a novel approach for COVID-19.
Abstract
Various metabolites identified with therapeutic mushrooms have been found from different sources and are known to have antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Over thousands soil growth-based mushroom metabolites have been discovered, and utilized worldwide to combat malignancy. In this study, psilocybin-mushroom that contains the psychedelic compounds such as psilacetin, psilocin, and psilocybine were screened and found to be inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mprotease. It has been found that psilacetin, psilocin, and psilocybine bind to Mprotease with −6.0, −5.4, and −5.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, the psilacetin was found to inhibit human interleukin-6 receptors to reduce cytokine storm. The binding of psilacetin to Mprotease of SARS-CoV-2 and human interleukin-6 receptors changes the structural dynamics and Gibbs free energy patterns of proteins. These results suggested that psilocybin-mushroom could be utilized as viable potential chemotherapeutic agents for SARS-CoV-2.