Planta medica
August 1, 2007
Oliver Grundmann, Stephen M Phipps, Immo Zadezensky et al.
81 citations
Salvia divinorum, a plant used for centuries by the Mazatecan culture and now a recreational drug, produces potent hallucinogenic effects. Its main compound, salvinorin A, is the first highly selective non-nitrogenous kappa opioid receptor agonist. Animal studies show rapid onset, short half-lives, and no evidence of short- or long-term toxicity. Salvinorin A appears promising for new treatments of central nervous system illnesses, but further research is needed to understand the plant's medicinal properties and inform legislation.
Planta medica
November 1, 2022
Matteo Politi, Giorgia Tresca, Luigi Menghini et al.
19 citations
Ayahuasca, a herbal preparation used by indigenous groups in the Amazon and mestizo populations, combines Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis to produce hallucinogenic, purging, and emetic effects. While its psychoactive properties have drawn global shamanic tourism and scientific interest in mental health, the traditional cosmological significance of purging and vomiting has been neglected. This review examines the understudied purging and emetic activity of ayahuasca, first by exploring its cultural role in Amazonian traditions, then by evaluating the known phytochemicals in the formula for their emetic and purging properties. The work argues that these effects are pharmacologically and culturally important, not merely secondary to the psychoactive ones.
Planta medica
February 1, 2023
Julio César Carrero, Violeta Curay-Herrera, Lysette Chacón-niño et al.
6 citations
Alkaloids from the root bark of Tabernaemontana arborea, particularly ibogaine and voacangine, show potent anti-amoebic activity against Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in culture, with IC50 values of 4.5 and 8.1 µM at 24 hours, comparable to metronidazole (6.8 µM). However, the effect diminished after 48 and 72 hours, suggesting the alkaloids may be catabolized into less active derivatives by the parasites. In a hamster model of amoebic liver abscess, the alkaloids reduced the number of trophozoites in liver tissue but did not prevent abscess formation, indicating rapid inactivation in vivo. The findings suggest potential for these compounds as leads for new amoebiasis treatments, though further work is needed to address metabolic instability.