A Mushroom-Derived Polysaccharopeptide Engaged CB2-Related Measures in a Rat Morphine Model
A rat inflammatory-pain experiment linked a Trametes versicolor polysaccharopeptide to reduced morphine-related adaptation and changes in CB2-associated measures. It did not test an oral mushroom supplement or establish an adjunctive treatment in patients.
The preparation and route were experimental
Researchers induced inflammatory joint pain and administered morphine intrathecally. The polysaccharopeptide preparation, TPSP, was also administered intrathecally for three weeks. Delivery into the spinal fluid compartment is not equivalent to eating a mushroom or taking a commercially available extract.
Behavioral and molecular outcomes were reported
TPSP reduced reported dependence and acute-withdrawal outcomes and improved mechanical and heat-response measures. These effects accompanied increased CB2 receptor and beta-endorphin measures and reductions in selected inflammatory mediators. The molecular associations do not alone establish that one change fully mediated every behavioral outcome.
Clinical language needs a species boundary
Although the authors proposed an adjunctive strategy, the described experiment used rats. The abstract does not report a clinical trial, demonstrate human safety or identify a suitable consumer preparation. CB2 involvement also does not make TPSP interchangeable with THC or cannabis.
The study is relevant to cannabinoid-system research because a non-cannabis preparation was associated with CB2-related changes. Its actual contribution is preclinical and route-specific. It should not be presented as evidence that an over-the-counter mushroom product prevents opioid tolerance or withdrawal.
Related: interpreting cannabis tolerance claims.
Research cited
Wang K; Wang Z; Cui R; Chu H. Polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor blocks inflammatory osteoarthritis pain-morphine tolerance effects via activating cannabinoid type 2 receptor. International journal of biological macromolecules (2019). doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.12.212. Findings discussed from the study abstract.
