Psilocybin alleviates high-glucose and high-lipid-induced skin aging in BJ5Ta fibroblasts
Farzaneh Norouzkhani, Esmaeel Ghasemi Gojani, Bo Wang, Dongping Li, Salma Shujat, Anil Shrestha, Rocio Rodriguez‐juarez, Olga Kovalchuk, Igor Kovalchuk
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 2025 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2025-0250 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | BJ-5ta fibroblasts |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 15 µmol/L post-treatment, 10 µmol/L co-treatment |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Psilocybin preserved cell viability, reduced senescence and apoptosis, decreased inflammatory cytokines, and upregulated elastin gene expression in fibroblasts under high-glucose and high-lipid conditions. |
Abstract
Cellular aging, driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, is exacerbated by a high-glucose and high-lipid (HGHL) diet, leading to collagen degradation and skin aging. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound, has shown potential in reducing symptoms of aging. This study explores the protective effects of psilocybin on BJ-5ta fibroblasts exposed to HGHL, focusing on cellular viability, apoptosis, senescence, the inflammatory responses, and wound healing. First, fibroblasts were exposed to 25 mmol/L glucose and 400 µmol/L palmitic acid to establish cell aging. Then, psilocybin effects were tested in co- and post-treatment with HGHL. Post-treatment with psilocybin at 15 µmol/L (P15) and co-treatment with psilocybin at 10 µmol/L (P10) preserved cellular viability and decreased beta-galactosidase activity. P10 was most effective in reducing apoptosis and alleviating HGHL-induced S phase arrest. P15 also reduced senescence markers and decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2. Additionally, psilocybin promoted nonsignificant fibroblast migration, and P10 co-treated with HGHL significantly upregulated elastin gene expression. These findings suggest that psilocybin’s antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties make it a promising natural compound for reducing skin aging, particularly under oxidative stress conditions. Further research is needed to explore its long-term effects, optimal dosages, and clinical applications.
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
Cites 19
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse July 21, 2016
- Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Neuron July 5, 2021
- Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
and 14 more in the library