Acute toxicity of Psilocybe cubensis (Ear.) Sing., Strophariaceae, aqueous extract in mice

An aqueous extract of the hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, which contains the serotonin receptor agonists psilocybin and psilocin, produced specific behavioral changes in mice. Compared to a control group, treated animals showed increased gnawing, wet-dog shakes, and decreased locomotion and rearing frequencies 29–38 minutes after injection. Female mice were more sensitive to the extract than males. The results suggest the extract interferes with central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, and the observational methods used were effective for evaluating its acute toxic effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybe cubensis (Ear.) Sing., Strophariaceae, is a hallucinogen mushroom that has been used since the old times by humans, causing several psychotic effects. P. cubensis contains two tryptamine derivates: psilocybin and psilocin, agonists of the 5-HT2 receptor (serotonin). The main objective of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity effects of P. cubensis aqueous extract (PCAE) administration in mice. Male and female adult Swiss mice received PCAE 0.1 mL/10 g i.p., and were observed individually, directly in a glass box and in an open-field. In relation to the data of the control group, PCAE-treated animals presented: an increased gnawing, appearance of wet-dog shakes and a decreased locomotion and rearing frequencies after 29-38 min. Also a clear gender difference was detected, being female mice more sensible to the PCAE than males. It was suggested that PCAE administration produced specific effects on mice behaviors, characteristic of drugs which interfere on central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Finally, the observational methods here employed were efficient to evaluate the toxic effects of the extract.