The Role of Ayahuasca in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cell Survival, Proliferation and Oxidative Stress.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) June 2, 2024 Joana Gonçalves, Mariana Feijó, Sílvia Socorro et al.
Decoctions made from Mimosa hostilis and Peganum harmala, plants sometimes used as substitutes in ayahuasca, can kill human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in the lab. The extracts triggered programmed cell death (apoptosis) and slowed cell growth. They also lowered oxidative stress and boosted activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, while superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged. The findings suggest these plant decoctions have potential anticancer properties against colorectal cancer cells.