In a mouse model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine, the natural compound esculetin improved behavioral symptoms, reduced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and modulated levels of dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate. Esculetin also increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, cortex, and striata, counteracting ketamine-induced reductions. Histopathological changes were observed in test groups. These results suggest esculetin may have therapeutic potential for treating schizophrenia.
Bromo-DragonFLY (BDF) is a potent designer psychedelic drug that produces prolonged hallucinations lasting several days and can cause severe toxicity including confusion, tachycardia, hypertension, seizures, renal failure, and death. BDF acts as a potent agonist of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. Using molecular docking and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, the study found that BDF forms a stable and compact complex with the 5-HT2A receptor, characterized by minimal per-residue fluctuations and high hydrogen bond occupancy. The findings suggest strong binding affinities and highly stable complex formation, providing foundational understanding of BDF's molecular interactions as a potent psychedelic agent.