Psychoactive tryptamines from basidiomycetes

Abstract

The review lists natural sources, i.e. strains and species of fungi producing predominantly psychoactive tryptamines (indolealkylamines), their chemical structure and properties, toxic effects on the man and psychic symptoms of intoxication. It describes the biosynthesis and production of some tryptamines by the mycelial culture of Psilocybe bohemica Sebek, a survey of methods for their analysis and isolation. It evaluates the worldwide use and abuse of psychoactive fungi as sources of drugs in general and in the Czechia in particular during the last two and a half decades.

Indole compounds in fruiting bodies of some edible Basidiomycota species

“…The low contents of L-tryptophan, tryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan confirm that the use of these species for consumption is safe (Bedry, Baudrimont, & Deffieux, 2001;Wurst, Kysilka, & Flieger, 2002). However, the high level of serotonin is notable.…”

Enhanced Recovery and Identification of a Tryptamine-Related Antibiotic Produced by <i>Intrasporangium</i> N8 from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…These authors also reported that thiazole was produced simultaneously with Nacetyltryptamine. Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid found in plants, fungi, and animals and the backbone structure of a group of compounds known collectively as tryptamines [17]. This group includes many biologically active compounds, including neurotransmitters and psychedelic drugs [18].…”

“…Structurally, it is based on the indole ring, and is chemically related to the amino acid tryptophan, from which its name is derived [17]. A closely related structure to tryptamine is melatonin (Fig 5) which has been associated with the ability to inhibit tumour growth in vivo and in vitro.…”

Interactions between Psilocybe fasciata and its companion fungus Acremonium strictum

“…fasciata is a hallucinogenic mushroom that contains psychoactive tryptamines (Matsuda 1960;Wen and Sun 1999). Psychoactive tryptamines are the various psychedelic tryptamines that have an indole group and a dimethylamine group, and include psilocin, psilocybin, baeocystin and all their analogs (Wurst et al 2002). Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been regulated by the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law in Japan since 6 June 2002 (Maruyama et al 2003).…”