Planta Medica
August 1, 2007
Oliver Grundmann, Stephen M Phipps, Immo Zadezensky et al.
81 citations
Salvia divinorum, a plant used for centuries by the Mazatecan culture and now a recreational drug, produces potent hallucinogenic effects. Its main compound, salvinorin A, is the first highly selective non-nitrogenous kappa opioid receptor agonist. Animal studies show rapid onset, short half-lives, and no evidence of short- or long-term toxicity. Salvinorin A appears promising for new treatments of central nervous system illnesses, but further research is needed to understand the plant's medicinal properties and inform legislation.
Planta Medica
April 1, 2006
Niels Jensen, Jochen Gartz, Hartmut Laatsch
56 citations
The hallucinogenic mushroom Inocybe aeruginascens contains typical Psilocybe alkaloids such as psilocybin. Researchers have now determined the structure of an additional indole derivative, aeruginascin, which is the quaternary ammonium compound N,N,N-trimethyl-4-phosphoryloxytryptamine. Aeruginascin is closely related to the frog skin toxin bufotenidine (5-HTQ), a potent 5-HT3 receptor agonist, and has so far been found exclusively in Inocybe aeruginascens.
Planta Medica
October 1, 1985
T. Stijve, Th.w. Kuyper
43 citations
More than 100 species of fungi from 18 genera across Europe were analyzed for the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin and related tryptamine derivatives using high performance liquid and thin-layer chromatography. Psilocybin, psilocin, and/or baeocystin were detected in 3 Psilocybe, 1 Panaeolus, 5 Inocybes, and one Pluteus species. Psilocybe semilanceata and Panaeolus subbalteatus were identified as the only psilocybin-containing fungi available in Middle and Northern Europe in sufficient quantities to permit abuse.
Planta Medica
March 2, 2018
Ulrike Steiner, Eckhard Leistner
28 citations
Ergot alkaloids from Central American morning glory species (Turbina corymbosa, Ipomoea violacea, Ipomoea asarifolia) are produced by fungi of the newly described genus Periglandula, which colonize peltate glandular trichomes on the leaves. These fungi cannot yet be cultured in vitro but synthesize ergot alkaloids that are translocated into the plant host. The symbiosis benefits both partners. Evolutionarily, the alkaloid gene cluster in this symbiosis likely has a conserved basic structure, whereas clusters in Claviceps and Epichloe fungi underwent ecological selection for alkaloid diversification.
Planta Medica
December 1, 1987
J. Gartz
20 citations
The mushroom species Inocybe aeruginascens contains the psychoactive alkaloids psilocybin and baeocystin, along with aeruginascin (a compound of unknown structure), in both caps and stipes. The amounts of psilocybin and baeocystin varied among mushrooms collected from the same location and of similar mass. No correlation was found between mushroom mass and the content of either alkaloid. However, there was a strong correlation between the levels of psilocybin and baeocystin. The location where the mushrooms grew did not appear to relate to the content of these indole derivatives.
Planta Medica
April 1, 1986
Marta Semerdžieva, M. Wurst, T. Koza et al.
20 citations
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid, was measured in dried fruiting-bodies of the mushroom Inocybe aeruginascens using high-performance liquid chromatography. Its concentration was lower than that found in two Psilocybe species, Psilocybe bohemica and Psilocybe semilanceata. As with Psilocybe species, the psilocybin content in Inocybe decreased during storage of the dried mushrooms. The amount also varied depending on where the fruiting-bodies were collected.
Planta Medica
July 1, 1981
Anders Christiansen, Knut Rasmussen, Klaus Høiland
20 citations
The mushroom Psilocybe semilanceata, which contains hallucinogenic indole alkaloids, has been used as a narcotic drug in Norway. Its psilocybin content, habitats, and distribution across the country were investigated. The mushroom grows on grassy sites throughout most of Norway from mid-August to mid-October. Psilocybin content in dried mushrooms varied considerably, from 0.17 to 1.96%. Smaller mushrooms had the highest percentage concentration, while larger mushrooms had the highest total amount in milligrams. The psilocybin content makes P. semilanceata a potent hallucinogenic drug.
Planta Medica
November 1, 2022
Matteo Politi, Giorgia Tresca, Luigi Menghini et al.
19 citations
Ayahuasca, a herbal preparation used by indigenous groups in the Amazon and mestizo populations, combines Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis to produce hallucinogenic, purging, and emetic effects. While its psychoactive properties have drawn global shamanic tourism and scientific interest in mental health, the traditional cosmological significance of purging and vomiting has been neglected. This review examines the understudied purging and emetic activity of ayahuasca, first by exploring its cultural role in Amazonian traditions, then by evaluating the known phytochemicals in the formula for their emetic and purging properties. The work argues that these effects are pharmacologically and culturally important, not merely secondary to the psychoactive ones.
Planta Medica
June 1, 1990
Roman Kysilka, Milan Wurst
16 citations
No Summary
Planta Medica
June 1, 1989
Jochen Gartz
13 citations
Mycelial cultures of Psilocybe cubensis that can produce psilocybin and psilocin from scratch also convert externally supplied tryptamine into psilocin, reaching up to 3.3% of the dry mass of the resulting fruit bodies. Analysis by HPLC and TLC shows these mushrooms contain only a small amount of psilocybin (0.01–0.2% dry mass), while the psilocin levels are the highest reported in any mushroom.
Planta Medica
August 1, 1984
Anders Christiansen, Knut Rasmussen, Klaus Høiland
13 citations
A screening of Norwegian mushrooms for hallucinogenic indole alkaloids used HPLC with ultraviolet, fluorescence, and electrochemical detection. Psilocybin and psilocin were found in two species: Pluteus salicinus and Conocybe cyanopus. Dried Pluteus salicinus contained 0.35% psilocybin and 0.011% psilocin; dried Conocybe cyanopus contained 0.33-0.55% psilocybin and 0.004-0.007% psilocin.
Planta Medica
June 1, 1987
J. Gartz
10 citations
Psilocybin and baeocystin, but not psilocin, were detected in dried fruit bodies of the mushroom Pluteus salicinus using HPLC and TLC. Caps contained more psilocybin than stems, with psilocybin levels reaching up to 1.57% in caps. Urea was also found, almost exclusively in the caps, along with baeocystin and tryptophan, which were also limited to the caps. A correlation existed between psilocybin and urea content.
Planta Medica
June 1, 1984
J. Jokiranta, S. Mustola, E. Ohenoja et al.
7 citations
The hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe semilanceata, widely distributed in Finland, contains high levels of psilocybin, ranging from 0.62% to 2.37% of dry weight, with a mean of 1.42%. Some samples also contain low concentrations of psilocin, between 0.01% and 0.02% of dry weight. These findings, determined by HPLC analysis of samples from different parts of Finland, provide quantitative data on the psychoactive alkaloid content of this species.
Planta Medica
February 1, 2023
Julio César Carrero, Violeta Curay-Herrera, Lysette Chacón-niño et al.
6 citations
Alkaloids from the root bark of Tabernaemontana arborea, particularly ibogaine and voacangine, show potent anti-amoebic activity against Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in culture, with IC50 values of 4.5 and 8.1 µM at 24 hours, comparable to metronidazole (6.8 µM). However, the effect diminished after 48 and 72 hours, suggesting the alkaloids may be catabolized into less active derivatives by the parasites. In a hamster model of amoebic liver abscess, the alkaloids reduced the number of trophozoites in liver tissue but did not prevent abscess formation, indicating rapid inactivation in vivo. The findings suggest potential for these compounds as leads for new amoebiasis treatments, though further work is needed to address metabolic instability.
Planta Medica
December 1, 2022
Prokopios Magiatis, Evangelos Dadiotis, Romanos Konstantinos Antonopoulos et al.
1 citation
The genus Psilocybe contains over two hundred species of mushroom-forming fungi that produce the secondary metabolite psilocybin, which is a prodrug converted in the body to the active metabolite psilocin. Psilocybin is currently being used in clinical trials for treating Major Depressive Disorder, existential distress in terminally ill patients, and Alcohol Use Disorder, creating a need to investigate and quantitate these substances.
Planta Medica
March 1, 2026
K Knížková, D Lovás, R Batelková et al.
The plant Tabernanthe iboga contains ibogaine, an alkaloid that helps treat addiction by easing withdrawal and reducing cravings. Because authentic T. iboga from Africa is scarce, other plants with potentially toxic alkaloids are sometimes substituted, leading to fatal overdoses. This study developed an HPLC-MS method to analyze 11 iboga alkaloids and their derivatives, testing different extraction solvents; ethyl acetate with ammonium hydroxide worked best. Real samples from ibogaine clinics were analyzed to assess quality control and risks. The method aims to distinguish T. iboga from plants that might be used to falsify it, improving safety.
Planta Medica
March 1, 2011
Lj Standish, Dean B. Reardon, Simon Phipps et al.
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive tea used by indigenous South American tribes, contains the alkaloids dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and beta-carbolines. DMT concentrations varied more than tenfold among different ceremonial brews. Beta-carboline levels differed when the two plants were decocted together versus separately. Freezing at -80°C degraded active alkaloids, while refrigeration and room temperature did not. Analytical methods are now ready for phase I and II clinical trials to evaluate ayahuasca as a serotonin agonist for psychiatric disorders.
Planta Medica
September 1, 2010
Stephen M Phipps, Veronika Butterweck
Salvinorin A, the active compound in Salvia divinorum, increased compulsive gnawing in male C57BL/6 mice when given with apomorphine, indicating dopaminergic activity. This effect was blocked by the dopamine antagonist haloperidol but not by the κ-opioid receptor antagonist NorBNI, suggesting salvinorin A is not a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist. A new digitized method for quantifying gnawing behavior provided more precise measurement of dopaminergic activity.