The study showed how mushroom extracts could boost immune cells in the brain.
Psyched Wellness Ltd. (CSE: PSYC) (OTCQB: PSYCF) stock jumped 11% to lately sell at four cents based on the release of a new study demonstrating how mushroom extract can help modulate brain health.
The study, to be published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, shows that Amanita muscaria extract activates human microglia, which play a key role in maintaining brain function.
These mushrooms are known to contain muscarine, muscimol, muscazone, and ibotenic acid and have been used as an inebriant in eastern Siberia for centuries. The report said the chemical composition of these mushroom extracts is poorly characterized but likely contains many other compounds that could have effects on brain cells.
The effect of A. muscaria on brain tissue and cells is unknown.
The study, “Amanita muscaria extract potentiates production of proinflammatory cytokines by dsRNA-activated human microglia,” was conducted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). It demonstrates that Amanita muscaria extract activates immune cells of the brain called microglia, which are resident macrophage cells that act as the first and main form of active immunity in the central nervous system.
“The National Research Council of Canada based its research on our company’s proprietary Amanita Muscaria extract, AME-1, and proved additional benefits of our effective supplement. This is another key finding of function and furthers our understanding of the effects of AME-1,” says David Shisel, chief operations officer for Psyched Wellness.
Using human microglia cells grown in lab cultures, the group showed for the first time that Amanita muscaria activates these important brain immune cells to produce immune mediators, which can mobilize other immune cells in the brain and alter the way in which neurons function.
Microglia cells are involved in brain maintenance, clearing the central nervous system of plaques, damaged neurons, excess synapses, and infectious agents. Key areas of neuroinflammation and immune-induced changes in the brain may be responsible for migraines, depression, and changes in sleep patterns.
“The importance of this publication indicates for the first time that, under in vitro conditions, Amanita muscaria extract activates human microglia, which are immune cells in the brain. They are known as resident macrophages that act as the first and main form of the active immune defense system in the central nervous system,” said Brian Tancowny, scientific advisor for Psyched Wellness.
This study shows how Amanita muscaria extract can positively modulate brain health. At the same time, Amanita muscaria extract can cause microglia to express important receptors on their surface that can help them interact with other brain cells.
Using metabolite screening technology, the group also showed that Amanita muscaria extracts contain important metabolites such as trehalose, a sugar produced by some fungi and yeasts that is used as an ingredient in food, beauty products, and some pharmaceutical products. These metabolites could be playing an important role in mediating the microglial inflammatory responses.
Frontiers in Pharmacology is the 3rd most-cited and 6th largest research publisher and open science platform. Its research journals are community-driven and peer-reviewed by editorial boards of more than 202,000 top researchers. (Full Story)