Multianalytical Investigation of Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms: Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Psilocybin and Psilocin Compounds
Taynah Pereira Galdino, Antônio Braz de Medeiros Bisneto, Marcelo Da Silva Pedro, Lucas Cordeiro de Oliveira, Mateus Araújo Luz, Antônio Gilson Barbosa de Lima, Suédina Maria de Lima Silva, Marcus Vinícius Lia Fook
ACS Omega September 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c05606 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | A psilocybin- and psilocin-based active pharmaceutical ingredient can be extracted from Psilocybe mushrooms with high purity, stability, and low toxicity, suitable for controlled-release formulations. |
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Mental disorders of the global population have been evaluated statistically by decades. Psilocybin has medicinal properties with potential pharmaceutical applications for treatment of psychological disorders. This component is present naturally in mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus and is primarily responsible for their psychoactive properties. It exhibits a low risk of acute toxicity and has shown no evidence of neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, or mutagenicity in current toxicological assessments. This study aimed to develop an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) derived from Psilocybe mushrooms for application in the management of mental health disorders. The primary objectives include extraction of bioactive compounds, quantitative analysis, and evaluation of their physicochemical and biological properties. Following the extraction procedures, the experiments achieved yields of approximately 20%, demonstrating effective isolation of the target compounds. The presence of alkaloids was confirmed through phytochemical screening and validated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The obtained API exhibited thermal and spectroscopic characteristics consistent with those of edible mushroom extracts, enabling a comprehensive understanding of its physicochemical behavior. Additionally, analytical assays demonstrated high solubility, low toxicity, and compliance with acceptable limits for heavy metal content and microbial load, including aerobic microorganisms, fungi, and yeasts. Quantitative HPLC analysis revealed psilocybin and psilocin contents of 3.26 and 0.34%, respectively, supporting the formulation of drug delivery systems with standardized concentrations of psilocybin. The results indicated that the extracted API is stable, highly pure, and compatible with polymeric matrices for controlled release applications. Furthermore, the assays confirmed high solubility in polar solvents and minimal risk of adverse effects. In conclusion, the study showed that the development of a psilocybin- and psilocin-based API is feasible and represents a significant advancement in the treatment of mental disorders, standing out as a promising solution in the pursuit of innovative therapeutic alternatives.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Healthy human volunteers | 1998 | Experimental study | |
| Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Participants in controlled laboratory experiments receiving a moderate to high oral... | 2015 | Validation study using pooled data from five laboratory experiments | n = 184 |
| Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Healthy human participants | 2013 | Experimental study | |
| Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer Participants with cancer-related psychiatric distress who completed a parent randomized... | 2020 | Long-term within-subjects follow-up analysis | n = 15 |
| Enzymatic Synthesis of Psilocybin | 2017 | Laboratory study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 1
Cites 21
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Scientific Reports October 13, 2017
- Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors Journal of Psychopharmacology October 11, 2017
and 16 more in the library