Pharmacological Studies of Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala L., Zygophyllaceae)
International Journal of Secondary Metabolite January 23, 2019 Nazim A. Mamedov, Ardalan Pasdaran, Nilufer Z. Mamadalieva Mamadalieva
Syrian rue (Peganum harmala L.) is a shrub about 1 meter tall with narrow leaves, white flowers, and globe capsules containing seeds. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids, including β-carbolines such as harmine, harmalol, and harman, with harmine being the active hallucinogen. The seeds also yield a red pigment used for dyeing wool and carpets, serve as a spice, and have traditional use as an aphrodisiac. The plant has been employed for centuries in traditional medicine across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus, primarily as a ritual and psychedelic plant.