Background: Psilocybin (PB) is a psychoactive compound commonly found in magic mushroom (Psilocybe cubensis). PB is quickly converted by the body to psilocin (PI), which has a psychedelic effect through the activation of the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. The objective of this study is to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of PB and PI in rats and humans for predicting concentrations of the psychoactive substance in the brain. Methods: Following a search in PubMed, three studies were retrieved and information concerning concentration-time profiles of PI were extracted from the selected studies. In the study in rats, PI was orally administered with a dose of 10.1 mg/kg. There were two studies in humans following a single intravenous dose of PB (1 mg) and oral dose of PB (0.224 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg). Berkeley Madonna software was used for computer coding and simulations. The developed PBPK model consisted of seven organ compartments (i.e. lung, heart, brain, fat, muscle, kidney, and liver). Results: The simulations show a good agreement between observed and simulated data, although results for oral administration in rats and humans showed under-predictions and results for intravenous administration in humans showed over-predictions. Conclusions: A PBPK model of PB and PI in rats and humans was developed and could predict concentration-time profiles of PI in plasma, particularly in the brain, following intravenous and oral administration of PB. This model may be useful for a safer dosage regimen of PB for patients with some disorders.
Microscopic analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials is one of the stages of quality control which makes it possible to determine the authenticity of an object. This article presents the results of microscopic analysis of leaves, corolla, leafstalks and stalk of Salvia stepposa (steppe sage). This species is a relative to Salvia officinalis officinal used in traditional medical systems as an anti-inflammatory agent. The purpose of this study is to determine the features of the anatomical structures of the above-ground part of steppe sage and to reveal diagnostic signs at the microscopic level. Preliminary pharmacognostic investigation of vegetative raw material is done and diagnostic signs are identified. The detail microscopy revealed the presence of 3 types of trichomes on leaves’ epidermis: 1) simple unicellular; 2) simple multicellular; 3) glandular; their localization and shape are determined. Type of mesophyll, structure of trichomes; form and location of epidermal cells, the presence of rare simple trichomes along the edge are discovered. As a result of the research the anatomical features of the raw material were established, which make it possible to identify the above-ground part of Salvia stepposa and can be used for the development of regulatory documentation.
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