Ayahuasca reduced anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in rats with neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (0.63 mg/kg/mL). Eighty male rats, about 90 days old, were divided into control and LPS groups, with prevention and treatment subgroups. Ayahuasca (4 mL/kg) or saline was given by gavage one hour before or 24 hours after LPS or saline injections. Open field and forced swimming tests measured behavior. LPS rats given ayahuasca showed less anxiety-like behavior in both subgroups. Depressive-like behavior decreased in LPS rats given ayahuasca, in both prevention and treatment subgroups, compared to controls. The findings suggest anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of ayahuasca in neuroinflammation, possibly via antineuroinflammatory effects.
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive decoction used for millennia by indigenous groups and Amazonian populations, shows therapeutic effects on behavioral disorders by inhibiting monoamine oxidase and activating serotonin receptors. Its pharmacological response also involves anti-inflammatory action, primarily through dimethyltryptamines (N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), which regulate inflammation and immune homeostasis via sigma-1 receptors. Because neuroinflammation underlies many neurological and psychiatric diseases, the available evidence suggests ayahuasca is a promising and very safe therapeutic strategy, as extremely high doses are required for toxicity. However, additional studies are needed to confirm this evidence and fully elucidate the mechanisms involved.