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Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN 1664-3224

2 papers in the library · 187 citations · publishing 2015-2022

Papers

Psychedelics and Immunomodulation: Novel Approaches and Therapeutic Opportunities

Frontiers in Immunology July 14, 2015 Attila Szabo 153 citations

Classical psychedelics, including DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, LSD, and others, modulate immune responses by altering signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cellular proliferation, and survival. These substances activate NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and their effects are mediated through serotonin and sigma-1 receptors, which also play roles in immunological processes. The review discusses the immunomodulatory potential of these compounds from a molecular immunology and pharmacology perspective, focusing on the interaction between serotonin and sigma-1 receptors and their cross-talk with pattern-recognition receptor signaling. It suggests novel approaches for treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease, aiming to reframe psychedelics as potential therapeutic agents rather than solely as drugs of abuse.

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00358 Neuroscience Cognitive science Psychology Data science +2

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 Faez Iqbal Khan, Fakhrul Hassan, Dakun Lai 34 citations

Compounds from psilocybin-containing mushrooms—psilacetin, psilocin, and psilocybine—were computationally screened and found to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) with binding energies of −6.0, −5.4, and −5.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Psilacetin also bound to human interleukin-6 receptors, suggesting a potential to reduce cytokine storm. These interactions altered the structural dynamics and Gibbs free energy patterns of the proteins. The results suggest that psilocybin-mushroom compounds could be developed as chemotherapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.794780 Psilocybin Cytokine storm Pharmacology Psychotomimetic +6