Journal of ethnopharmacology
April 22, 2015
Aleksandra Nikolić-kokić, Zorana Oreščanin-dušić, Ivan Spasojević et al.
15 citations
Ibogaine, a natural alkaloid from the Tabernanthe iboga plant, has been used for centuries in West African traditions and is known for anti-addictive effects. In human red blood cells treated in the lab, ibogaine increased ATP levels in blood plasma without altering cell membrane flexibility or uric acid. It boosted activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD1 at both 10 and 20 µM doses, and at the higher dose also increased glutathione reductase activity. Ibogaine protected SOD1 from damage by hydrogen peroxide. These results suggest ibogaine supports energy metabolism and acts as a pro-antioxidant by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, potentially helping cells adapt to oxidative stress.
Archives of Biological Sciences
December 5, 2018
Teodora Vidonja Uzelac, Nikola Tatalović, Milica Mijović et al.
7 citations
A single oral dose of ibogaine (1 or 20 mg/kg body weight) in rats did not alter the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, or glutathione-S-transferase in the liver or erythrocytes at 6 or 24 hours after administration. However, hepatic xanthine oxidase activity increased in rats receiving 20 mg/kg, indicating faster adenosine turnover. TBARS concentration rose in the 1 mg/kg group after 24 hours, suggesting mild oxidative stress. Histological examination revealed glycogenolytic activity in hepatocytes, peaking at 24 hours in the higher-dose group. Ibogaine influenced hepatic redox homeostasis but not enough to remodel antioxidant enzyme activities within the timeframe studied.
Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
January 1, 2018
Zorana Oreščanin-dušić, Nikola Tatalović, Teodora Vidonja-Uzelac et al.
7 citations
Ibogaine, an alkaloid from the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga, alters uterine muscle activity in a concentration-dependent way. Low concentrations stimulate spontaneous contractions, while higher doses inhibit them. Inhibitory doses reduce SOD1 activity and increase GSH-Px activity; complete inhibition raises CAT activity. These enzyme changes are due to posttranslational modifications, not altered protein levels, and point to a large rise in hydrogen peroxide. Since extracellular ATP stimulates uterine contractions and hydrogen peroxide inhibits them, ibogaine's dual effect likely stems from its known impact on cellular ATP levels and redox balance.
Archives of Biological Sciences
January 1, 2019
Teodora Vidonja Uzelac, Nikola Tatalović, Milica Mijović et al.
4 citations
A single oral dose of ibogaine (1 or 20 mg/kg body weight) in rats altered kidney antioxidant enzyme activities and caused mild morphological changes without affecting overall kidney function. The lower dose increased superoxide dismutase 1 activity and decreased glutathione reductase activity at 6 and 24 hours; the higher dose also decreased glutathione reductase activity, indicating disrupted redox balance. After 24 hours, moderate structural changes in kidney tissue were observed, but urinalyses showed no impairment of kidney function. The authors advise monitoring kidney function during and after ibogaine use in humans.
IBRO Reports
December 1, 2019
Nikola Tatalović, Teodora Vidonja Uzelac, Zorana Oreščanin-dušić et al.
A single oral dose of ibogaine (20 mg/kg) in female Wistar rats caused transient oxidative stress in the brain and depleted glycogen stores in the liver. Six hours after treatment, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) increased significantly, while after 24 hours it returned to control levels. Protein free sulfhydryl groups increased, but nonprotein free sulfhydryl groups (indicating reduced glutathione) decreased, both more pronounced at 24 hours. Despite these signs of oxidative stress, the activities of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR) and glutathione S-transferases remained unchanged. Liver glycogen was reduced, more at 6 hours than at 24 hours, suggesting a transient depletion of energy reserves that begins to recover within a day. These findings suggest ibogaine induces rapid, reversible changes in redox and energy homeostasis.