Towards the Use of Whole Natural Products in Psychedelic Research and Therapy: Synergy, Multi-Target Profiles, and Beyond
Frontiers in Natural Product Chemistry – December 06, 2021
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Interest in Psychology and Psychotherapist-led Psychedelics and Drug Studies has surged over two decades, revealing a compelling finding: whole natural products, echoing ancient practices, may surpass isolated compounds. Instead of single molecules from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, a "polypharmacology" approach posits that complex mixtures, understood through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, are more effective. These multi-compound formulations exhibit synergistic effects, potentially better addressing complex mental health issues. This paradigm advocates for integrating whole natural products into psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Interest in psychoactive ethnobotanicals such as ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms for clinical uses has increased over the last two decades. While clinical and experimental approaches have focused on using isolated compounds of interest (such as psilocybin), an emerging trend in drug discovery involves a more comprehensive approach. The polypharmacology paradigm, as it has been named, suggests that promiscuous drugs could be safer and more effective than highly selective ones. This is especially relevant with regards to complex diseases, like most mental health problems and neurodegenerative diseases, and for natural products, including psychoactive ethnobotanicals. Natural products not only show a multi-target profile, but they also contain several compounds capable of interacting with one another and producing synergistic effects. In this chapter, the use of whole natural products instead of isolated compounds is suggested in support of combining two recent paradigms: psychedelicassisted therapy on the one side and polypharmacology on the other.