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Toxicological and pharmacological profile of Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam. – a new rising opportunity for biomedicine

Maria Voynova, Aleksandar Shkondrov, Magdalena Kondeva-Burdina, Ilina Krasteva

Pharmacia November 26, 2020 DOI: 10.3897/pharmacia.67.e56112

Summary

AI-generated from the abstract

Amanita muscaria, the fly agaric mushroom, contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, which cause pantherina-muscaria poisoning. Despite conflicting opinions, its extracts show potential neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and may help treat cerebral ischemia and other health conditions. This review covers the mushroom's morphology, chemical content, toxicology, pharmacology, and historical to modern medicinal uses.

Study at a glance

Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Citations 40
Key finding Amanita muscaria extracts may have neuroprotective roles against neurodegenerative diseases and cerebral ischemia, though opinions remain contradictory.

Abstract

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a basidiomycete. Its main psychoactive constituents are ibotenic acid and muscimol, both involved in ‘pantherina-muscaria’ poisoning syndrome. The rising pharmacological and toxicological interest based on lots of contradictive opinions concerning the use of Amanita muscaria extracts’ neuroprotective role against some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, its potent role in the treatment of cerebral ischaemia and other socially significant health conditions gave the basis for this review. Facts about Amanita muscaria’s morphology, chemical content, toxicological and pharmacological characteristics and usage from ancient times to present-day’s opportunities in modern medicine are presented.

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