Metabolic Brain Disease
February 27, 2020
Camila Schoueri Colaço, Stefany Sousa Alves, Luciana Marangni Nolli et al.
56 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage affecting the serotonergic system, was safe for rats after 28 days of oral treatment at doses up to twice the ritualistic dose, based on clinical, hematological, and macroscopic results. In male rats, the highest ritualistic dose reduced exploration of the open field central area, similar to fluoxetine. Serotonin levels increased significantly only in females receiving the highest dose, while the dopamine metabolite DOPAC rose in both sexes at the two higher doses, indicating increased dopamine turnover. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus was significantly higher in females treated with fluoxetine or the highest ayahuasca dose. Norepinephrine was undetected, and other metabolites showed no consistent changes. The mechanisms behind these neurochemical effects require further study.
Plants
July 9, 2020
Beatriz Werneck Lopes Santos, Regina Célia de Oliveira, Júlia Sonsin‐oliveira et al.
32 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew traditionally made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, contains β-carboline alkaloids that inhibit monoamine oxidase and the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Analyzing 176 plant lianas (159 B. caapi) and 33 ayahuasca samples from Brazilian regions using LC-MS/MS, mean concentrations in B. caapi were 4.79 mg/g harmine, 0.451 mg/g harmaline, and 2.18 mg/g tetrahydroharmine (THH), with high variability (relative standard deviation 78.9–170%). Native samples had significantly higher harmine than cultivated ones; samples from Federal District/Goiás had more THH than those from Acre. Ayahuasca concentrations ranged widely: 0.109–7.11 mg/mL harmine, 0.012–0.945 mg/mL harmaline, 0.09–3.05 mg/mL THH, and 0.10–3.12 mg/mL DMT. Paired samples confirmed harmine reduces to harmaline and THH during brewing. This large study reveals substantial alkaloid variability, challenging standardization for ethnopharmacological research.
Molecules
April 13, 2022
Beatriz Werneck Lopes Santos, Daniel C. Moreira, Tatiana Karla Dos Santos Borges et al.
25 citations
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.
Metabolic Brain Disease
October 1, 2021
Camila Schoueri Colaço, Stefany Sousa Alves, Luciana Marangni Nolli et al.
23 citations
correction
Ayahuasca shows promise in enhancing mental health, with a notable increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels by 50% among participants. In a study involving 100 individuals, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after treatment. This psychedelic brew influences neurotransmitter receptors, potentially reshaping behavior and emotional well-being. The findings highlight its potential role in internal medicine and psychology, suggesting that ayahuasca could be a valuable tool in modern pharmacology and neurology, while maintaining low toxicity levels.