Avaliação dos efeitos neurotóxicos do chá ayahuasca
June 12, 2012 Alex Roberto Melgar Figueroa
Ayahuasca tea, a psychoactive brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, was tested for neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Over 21 days, rats received either water or 50% ayahuasca tea by gastric gavage. The TUNEL assay showed statistically significant neuronal apoptosis in the ayahuasca group compared to controls, though Caspase-3 analysis found no difference. Serum MDA and GSH, and hepatic vitamin E were significantly reduced in the treated group, indicating oxidative stress. No differences in kidney function were observed. The authors recommend further studies to clarify ayahuasca's neurotoxic mechanisms.