Genotoxic and mutagenic evaluation of Ayahuasca in peripheral blood and bone marrow of Mus musculus.
January 30, 2024 Patrícia Hermínio Cunha Feitosa, Melquisedeque da Rocha Viana, José Figueredo‐Silva et al.
Ayahuasca, a tea made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves used in Amazonian spiritual rituals and explored as an alternative therapy, showed no evidence of genotoxic or mutagenic effects in an in vivo mouse study. Oral administration of the tea to Mus musculus was tested using the COMET assay on peripheral blood (measuring tail length and percentage of DNA) and the micronucleus test on bone marrow. Results did not indicate genotoxic effects compared to the negative control, nor mutagenic effects. The findings contribute to discussions about the beverage's safety, suggesting no harmful effects on DNA under these conditions.