Dimethyltryptamine and harmine, components of ayahuasca, prevented cocaine-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
Archives of Toxicology November 12, 2025 Gilles Salles, Carolina Aparecida de Faria Almeida, Isabella de Carvalho Alves et al.
Ayahuasca compounds N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmine (HRE), both alone and combined, partially protected human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from cocaine-induced toxicity. Cells exposed to cocaine with DMT and/or HRE showed increased viability compared to cocaine-only groups. Flow cytometry indicated partial to complete protection against apoptosis, and western blot revealed reduced expression of the apoptosis marker caspase-8 in co-treated cells. These findings suggest Ayahuasca-derived alkaloids merit further research for neuroprotection and treatment of substance use disorders.