Compounds from Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant used to make ayahuasca, show anti-inflammatory potential in brain immune cells. The plant extract was separated into fractions, and known β-carbolines (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) were tested on BV-2 microglial cells, whose overactivation contributes to central nervous system disorders. Harmine at 75.5–302 µM reduced cell viability after 2 hours and increased necrotic cells and reactive oxygen species after 24 hours. Most treatments lowered proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and/or TNF, especially harmaline and fraction F5 at 2.5 µM and higher, and tetrahydroharmine at 9.3 µM and higher. These compounds may inform treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian beverage traditionally used as medicine, and its component DMT reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-12p70) in rats with LPS-induced depression, suggesting potential for modulating inflammation in depression. The highest ayahuasca dose increased locomotion and center entries in open field tests. Fluoxetine, ayahuasca, and DMT increased swimming time, while fluoxetine and the lowest ayahuasca dose increased climbing time. The LPS model did not consistently produce depressive behaviors, but the results indicate ayahuasca and DMT may reduce inflammation-related aspects of depression.