This work presents the first study in Peru covering the folkloric, botanical, and pharmacognostic aspects of ayahuasca, along with an experimental assessment of the pharmacodynamic and toxicological action of its active principle, after identifying its chemical identity and that of one of its plant sources obtained in the Alto Ucayali region. The study serves as the preliminary part of research oriented toward contemporary experimental psychiatry.
An experimental study in rats found that an alcoholic extract of the ayahuasca mixture (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis) produced neuropathological changes in the hippocampus. At a low dose (0.7 mL), the number of granule cells increased significantly relative to pyramidal cells. At a medium dose (3.5 mL), granule cells decreased and both large and small pyramidal cells appeared. At the highest dose (7.0 mL), cellular disorganization occurred alongside large and small pyramidal cells and an increase in granule cells. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, and saponins. The authors conclude the extract has a neuropathological effect on the rat hippocampus.