Incilius alvarius Cell-Based Synthesis of 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – March 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking way to produce 5-MeO-DMT, a compound with therapeutic promise, without harming the endangered Sonoran Desert toad. Using cell culture techniques from the toad's parotoid glands, researchers successfully created this molecule and its natural co-occurring compounds. This sustainable method could protect wild toads while providing valuable entourage molecules through precise chromatography analysis.
Abstract
There is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) for psychiatric disorders. Although 5-MeO-DMT can be chemically synthesized, the parotoid gland secretions of Incilius alvarius (also known as the Colorado River or Sonoran Desert toad) contain 5-MeO-DMT and other molecules including bufotenine, bufagenins, bufotoxins, and indole alkylamines that may have individual clinical utility or act as entourage molecules to enhance the activity of 5-MeO-DMT. I. alvarius is currently under severe ecological pressure due to demand for natural 5-MeO-DMT and habitat loss. We established a cell line from tissue obtained by wedge biopsy of the I. alvarius parotoid gland and confirmed the cell-based biosynthesis of 5-MeO-DMT by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Cell-based biosynthesis of I. alvarius parotoid gland secretions is a potentially cruelty-free and sustainable source of naturally derived 5-MeO-DMT for research and drug development.