Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
2 papers in the library · 7 citations · publishing 2025
Ayahuasca, a decoction containing β-carbolines and DMT, reversed stroke-induced increases in the inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-10, and MPO activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats, and reduced oxidative stress markers TBARS in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. It also modulated mitochondrial enzyme activity in the hippocampus and cortex. However, ayahuasca did not improve neurological deficits, locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, or recognition memory. These molecular changes suggest a neuroprotective role against ischemia-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, though without corresponding functional improvements in this three-day treatment study.
In a rat model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine, cannabidiol (CBD) restored rearing behavior (a measure of exploratory activity) without causing anhedonia-like behavior, whereas risperidone further reduced rearing and induced anhedonia-like effects in control rats. CBD reversed ketamine-induced increases in myeloperoxidase activity in the prefrontal cortex and striatum and protein carbonyls in the hippocampus, while risperidone reduced protein carbonyls in the prefrontal cortex and lowered the nitrite/nitrate ratio in the hypothalamus. Both compounds reduced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, but CBD did so more broadly and without the side effects seen with risperidone. These findings suggest CBD's antipsychotic effects may stem from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.