Amanita muscaria (Fly agaric) is not only a symbol of fairy-tale forests and mythical stories but also one of the most fascinating mushrooms from the perspective of modern biomedicine. For millennia, this mushroom has been the subject of legends and used in various cultures for ritual practices and healing. Today, scientific research is revealing new opportunities for its use, particularly as a natural remedy for stress relief and overall protection of the body.
In a paper published in Pharmacia in 2020 (Voynova et al., 2020), the toxicological and pharmacological profile of Amanita muscaria was thoroughly analyzed, and its potential in modern medicine was explored. Researchers from the Medical University of Sofia discovered that Amanita muscaria contains unique active compounds that may be beneficial for protecting the nervous system, heart, and liver.
Active compounds in Amanita muscaria
The main active components of Amanita muscaria are ibotenic acid and muscimol (Voynova et al., 2020). These compounds belong to the isoxazoles class and have a powerful effect on the central nervous system. Ibotenic acid acts as a neurotoxin and has an excitatory effect on the brain, while muscimol, its derivative, is a potent agonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Muscimol is the primary compound responsible for the calming and relaxing effects, helping to reduce anxiety, stress, and improve sleep quality.
Neuroprotective properties of Amanita muscaria
Amanita muscaria has shown significant potential in protecting brain cells from damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia. Muscimol, by activating GABA receptors, reduces the excitability of the nervous system and protects brain cells from the excessive impact of excitatory neurotransmitters. This is especially important for patients suffering from diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease, where neuronal degeneration occurs due to imbalances in neurotransmitters (Patocka et al., 2017).
Studies have shown that using muscimol in experimental animal models led to a 30-40% reduction in brain tissue damage in cases of ischemic stroke (Sternau et al., 1989). This opens new possibilities for the development of drugs that could help prevent or minimize the consequences of strokes in people at high risk of this condition.
Cardioprotective properties
Amanita muscaria has also demonstrated potential in maintaining cardiovascular health. One of muscimol’s interesting properties is its ability to influence blood pressure and heart rate. Muscimol, as a GABA receptor activator, helps relax the smooth muscle of blood vessels, which aids in lowering blood pressure and reducing the strain on the heart.
Studies on laboratory animals have shown that prolonged use of muscimol reduced the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by 25% compared to the control group (Tatsuta et al., 1992). This indicates the potential for using Amanita muscaria in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in individuals at high risk of developing hypertension and related conditions.
Hepatoprotective properties
Another important property of Amanita muscaria is its ability to protect the liver from damage. It is well-known that the liver serves as the body’s primary filtering organ and is highly vulnerable to the effects of toxins and other harmful factors. Muscimol, by activating GABA signaling pathways, helps protect liver cells from toxic damage and supports their recovery.
Studies have shown that in animals receiving muscimol, liver function improved by 20-30% compared to the control group, indicating its hepatoprotective potential (Wang et al., 2017). This opens up possibilities for using Amanita muscaria-based products in the treatment of various liver diseases, including toxic damage and chronic inflammatory processes.
Antioxidant potential
In addition to its primary active compounds, Amanita muscaria also contains a wide range of biologically active substances with antioxidant properties, such as glutathione, ergosterol, tocopherols, carotenoids, and others (Wang et al., 2017). These compounds help neutralize free radicals in the body, protecting cells from oxidative stress, which is one of the main causes of aging and the development of many diseases.
It is known that oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of heart and vascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and even cancer. Therefore, the compounds found in Amanita muscaria may form the basis for developing new drugs to combat these diseases.
Amanita muscaria is a powerful natural remedy with tremendous potential for use in modern medicine. Its active compounds may become the foundation for developing new treatments for stress, neurodegenerative diseases, and maintaining heart and liver health. However, it is essential to remember that this mushroom requires cautious and controlled use.
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