Phytochemical, Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of <i>Psilocybe Natalensis</i> Magic Mushroom

• Main Authors: Sanah M. Nkadimeng, Alice Nabatanzi, Christiaan M.L. Steinmann, Jacobus N. Eloff
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: depression; antioxidant; cytokines; anti-inflammatory; cytotoxicity; medicinal mushroom
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/9/1127

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, have been used since ancient and recent times for depression and to improve quality of life. However, their anti-inflammatory properties are not known. The study aims at investing cytotoxicity; antioxidant; and, for the first time, anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Psilocybe natalensis</i>, a psilocybin-containing mushroom that grows in South Africa, on lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Macrophage cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and treated with different concentrations of <i>Psilocybe natalensis</i> mushroom extracted with boiling hot water, cold water and ethanol over 24 h. Quercetin and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester were used as positive controls. Effects of extracts on the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂, and cytokine activities were investigated. Phytochemical analysis, and the antioxidant and cytotoxicity of extracts, were determined. Results showed that the three extracts inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂, and interleukin 1β cytokine production significantly in a dose-dependent manner close to that of the positive controls. A study proposed that ethanol and water extracts of <i>Psilocybe natalensis</i> mushroom were safe at concentrations used, and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the mushroom extracts.