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Euphoria over Life: Psychedelic Terphenyl Derivatives Inducing
Hallucination Directing Cyclin-Dependent Kinases toward Cell Death
Fatin Azierah Fauzi
Supervisor: Dr. Muhamad Fairus Noor Hassim
Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
School of Fundamental Science
Psilocybin compounds usually prescribed to relieve severe distress and depression on
cancer patients. These compounds bound to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) on
neurons causing hallucination. In this study, chemically synthesized terphenyl
derivatives; 1,3-di(phenyl)benzene (13P) and 1,4-di(phenyl)benzene (13-BPB)
interaction in human model were assessed. Both derivatives are analogues found in
fungi although their functional molecular mechanism is unknown. Therefore, our study
designed included in-vitro and in-silico assessment of 13P and 13-BPB interaction. MTT
assay shown noticeable cytotoxicity 13P on fibroblasts and macrophages at 0.4mM,
for 13-BPB was at 0.016mM and 0.08mM, respectively. Homologous compounds
screening identified 15 proteins being targeted in human and mouse. Docking analysis
shows both derivatives binding affinities (pKd/pKi) are the highest with CNR1 and
estrogen receptors (ESRs). Pathway analysis shows, CNR1 activate neuronal signalling
and together with ESRs activate the MAPK and RAP1 signalling pathways that activate
CDK dictating the cell-fate in cell cycle and proliferation.
359 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2018