Relative profiling of L-tryptophan derivatives from selected edible mushrooms as psychoactive nutraceuticals to inhibit P-glycoprotein: a paradigm to contest blood-brain barrier
BioTechnologia March 31, 2021 Arockiya Anita Margret, R. Mareeswari, Salian Kiran Kumar Krishanappa et al. 10 citations
Edible mushrooms Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus contain non-hallucinogenic indole compounds, including the serotonin precursors L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which can cross the blood-brain barrier and convert to serotonin. A comparative phytochemical assay using HPLC identified four derivatives from methanol and ethanol extracts: 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy tryptamine, L-tryptophan, and tryptamine. In vitro and in silico studies showed these compounds inhibit the efflux pump P-glycoprotein (minimum binding energies of -64.38 and -83.93 kcal/mol), suggesting they could facilitate drug delivery to the brain. The findings indicate these mushrooms may serve as psychoactive nutraceuticals to enhance mental health treatment.