Proteomic changes induced by harmine in human brain organoids reveal signaling pathways related to neuroprotection
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) June 17, 2021 Karina Karmirian, Livia Goto‐silva, Juliana Nascimento et al. 1 citation preprint
Harmine, a β-carboline found in the ayahuasca vine Banisteriopsis caapi, upregulates proteins in human brain organoids that are involved in synaptic vesicle cycling, cytoskeleton-dependent transport, cell cycle, glucose transporter-4 translocation, and neurotrophin signaling. Treatment with harmine also increased levels of Akt and phosphorylated CREB after 24 hours. These findings point to cellular and molecular pathways that may explain harmine's potential neuroprotective effects, which have been suggested by previous animal studies to include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The work advances understanding of how harmine might contribute to the antidepressant effects observed with ayahuasca.