The impact of psilocybin and eugenol on brain inflammation in murine models: unraveling cumulative and individual effects
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Date
2023
Authors
Zanikov, Timur
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
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Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Neuroinflammation represents a unique immune response within the central nervous system, involving glial cells such as microglia and astrocytes. Unlike peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation affects the blood-brain barrier, glia, and neurons. Various factors can induce neuroinflammation, including surgical procedures, infections, traumatic brain injuries, toxin exposure, and immune dysregulation, involving interactions between multiple cell types and signaling molecules.
Neuroinflammation is a critical factor in various acute and chronic brain diseases. Recent research has emphasized the potential anti-inflammatory properties of naturally occurring compounds from mushrooms and plants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psilocybin and eugenol, individually and in combination, on neuroinflammation. We used two different models to study the effects of treatment on neuroinflammation.
First, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model to examine if our treatments can prevent an increase in cytokine levels in the brains of mice injected with LPS.
Second, we utilized dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model to assess the combined anti-inflammatory effects of psilocybin and eugenol. While both psilocybin and eugenol individually displayed anti-inflammatory effects, their combined treatment demonstrated an additive effect on the reduction in neuroinflammation. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and eugenol in psychiatric and neurodegenerative inflammatory disorders, with further research needed to understand their underlying mechanisms and clinical efficacy.
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Keywords
neuroinflammation , brain inflammation , psilocybin , eugenol , anti-inflammatories , lipopolysaccharide model , dextran sulfate sodium model