Biological Effects and Biodistribution of Bufotenine on Mice.
BioMed research international January 1, 2018 Hugo Vigerelli, Juliana Mozer Sciani, Maria Andrea Camarano Eula et al. 21 citations
Bufotenine, a serotonin-derived alkaloid structurally similar to LSD and psilocin, inhibits rabies virus infection in lab and animal models, increasing survival. In mice treated daily for 21 days with 0.63, 1.05, or 2.1 mg/animal, mild behavioral changes occurred in a dose-dependent manner, but physiological functions remained normal and no organ damage was seen. High doses caused local injection-site inflammation without cellular damage. The alkaloid distributed to heart and kidney at all doses, and to lungs and brain at higher doses. The effective dose (0.63 mg/day) appears safe, causing no significant central nervous system effects, suggesting bufotenine as a drug prototype for rabies, an incurable disease.