Psilocybin and eugenol prevent DSS-induced neuroinflammation in mice
Timur Zanikov, Marta Gerasymchuk, Gregory Ian Robinson, Esmaeel Ghasemi Gojani, Shima Asghari, Alyssa Groves, Mackenzie Cameron, Rocio Rodriguez‐juarez, Alexandra Snelling, Darryl Hudson, Anna Fiselier, Olga Kovalchuk, Igor Kovalchuk
Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology January 25, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103033 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Colitis mouse model |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Eugenol |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Neuroinflammation Eugenol Pharmacology Microglia Immunology Hallucinogen Alkaloids |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Oral psilocybin and eugenol post-treatment reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain, but their combination did not produce synergistic anti-inflammatory effects across all markers. |
Abstract
Neuroinflammation has emerged as a central pathology common to several acute and chronic brain diseases. Recent studies have displayed the anti-inflammatory properties of naturally occurring compounds derived from mushrooms and plants could potentially reduce neuroinflammation and disease progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of psilocybin and eugenol, as well as their combinations, on neuroinflammation. To induce inflammation through the gut-brain axis, we employed a colitis mouse model via oral feeding of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). By administering various concentrations and combinations of treatments, both before and after inducing inflammation, we sought to assess the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of psilocybin and eugenol. Our findings revealed oral psilocybin and eugenol post-treatment significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the brain, including IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2. Notably, combined treatment of psilocybin and eugenol exhibited the strongest reduction in IL-6 levels when compared to the DSS group. While both psilocybin and eugenol possess anti-inflammatory effects, the combined treatment overall did not demonstrate synergistic reductions in neuroinflammation across all markers. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and eugenol in psychiatric and neurodegenerative inflammatory disorders. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of their anti-inflammatory effects and to evaluate their efficacy in clinical settings.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Mice | 2021 | Observational cohort | |
| Harnessing psilocybin: antidepressant-like behavioral and synaptic actions of psilocybin are independent of 5-HT2R activation in mice Mice | 2021 | Experimental study | |
| Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period Mice | 2023 | Experimental study in mice | |
| Correlation between the potency of hallucinogens in the mouse head-twitch response assay and their behavioral and subjective effects in other species. C57BL/6J mice | 2020 | Experimental study with dose-response experiments | |
| Effects of psilocybin on hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace fear conditioning Mice | 2013 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- The immunomodulatory effects of classical psychedelics: A systematic review of preclinical studies Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry September 7, 2024
- Are we hallucinating or can psychedelic drugs modulate the immune system to control inflammation? British Journal of Pharmacology July 28, 2025
- Narrating the psychoneuroimmunomodulatory properties of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor psychedelics from a transdiagnostic perspective. Acta Neuropsychiatrica July 25, 2025
- Examining the potential of psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT as therapeutics for traumatic brain injury. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry July 14, 2025
- LPS-Induced Liver Inflammation Is Inhibited by Psilocybin and Eugenol in Mice Pharmaceuticals March 23, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 15
- Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 15, 2006
- Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up Journal of Psychopharmacology February 1, 2022
- Receptor interaction profiles of novel psychoactive tryptamines compared with classic hallucinogens. European Neuropsychopharmacology May 20, 2016
- Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives European Neuropsychopharmacology December 17, 2013
- Serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2c and 5-HT1A receptor involvement in the acute effects of psilocybin in mice. In vitro pharmacological profile and modulation of thermoregulation and head-twich response Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy August 29, 2022
and 10 more in the library