Identification of N-Methyl-4-hydroxytryptamine (Norpsilocin) as a Psilocybe natural product.

Lenz C, Wick J, Hoffmeister D (2017) Identification of N-Methyl-4-hydroxytryptamine (Norpsilocin) as a Psilocybe natural product. J Nat Prod 80(10), 2835-2838.

Abstract

We report the identification of ω-N-methyl-4-hydroxytryptamine (norpsilocin, 1) from the carpophores of the hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis. The structure was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Norpsilocin has not previously been reported as a natural product. It likely represents the actual psychotropic agent liberated from its 4-phosphate ester derivative, the known natural product baeocystin. We further present a simple and artifact-free extraction method that prevents dephosphorylation and therefore helps reflect the naturally occurring metabolic profile of Psilocybe mushrooms in subsequent analyses.

Leibniz-HKI-Autor*innen

Dirk Hoffmeister
Claudius Lenz
Jonas Wick

Identifier

doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00407

PMID: 28929753