Incilius alvarius Cell-Based Synthesis of 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) March 1, 2023 Leonard Lerer, Eric Reynolds, Jeet Varia et al. 6 citations
A cell line derived from the parotoid gland of the endangered Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius) can biosynthesize 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic compound with therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders. The toad's secretions also contain other molecules such as bufotenine, bufagenins, bufotoxins, and indole alkylamines, which may have individual clinical utility or act as entourage molecules. The species faces ecological pressure from demand for natural 5-MeO-DMT and habitat loss. Cell-based biosynthesis offers a potentially cruelty-free and sustainable source of naturally derived 5-MeO-DMT for research and drug development.