Psychoactive and Organic Effects of Banisteriopsis caapi and Diplopteris cabrerana (Cuatrec.) B. Gates in Rats

A mixture of extracts from the Amazonian plants Banisteriopsis caapi and Diplopteris cabrerana, used in ayahuasca, produced dose-dependent psychoactive and organic effects in rats. At the highest dose (7.0 mL), rats showed passivity, reduced motor activity, loss of lower limb motor function, strong convulsions, facial tremors, increased urination, irritability, and spasms. Microscopic examination revealed alterations in the brain, cerebellum, liver, and aorta. Lower doses also caused changes, which increased with dose. The findings suggest the mixture has significant biological effects that warrant further investigation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background and Objective: The Amazonian drink ayahuasca used traditionally for ritual, religious and healing purposes; currently is being increasingly used for recreational purposes in the USA and Europe. This study was carried out to evaluate the psychoactive and organic effects in rats by ingestion of Banisteriopsis caapi "Ayahuasca" and Diplopteris cabrerana (Cuatrec.) B. Gates. "Chaliponga." Materials and Methods: Extracts of both species were given orogastrically to adult albino rats, Rattus novergicus Holtzman strain. Seven groups of rats (n = 5) with an average weight of 24030 g were given: (GI) control, (GII) 2.5 mL diazepam, (GIII) 0.7 mL solution of Banisteriopsis caapi, (GIV) 0.7 mL solution of Diplopteris cabrerana and in groups (GV), (GVI) and (GVII) was administered 0.7, 3.5 and 7.0 mL of the mixture of both extracts, respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were also performed. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. The statistical package used was (SPSS) version 20. Results: Phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, triterpenoids and steroids, phenols, flavonoids and saponins. In macroscopic evaluations it was observed that reflexes and motor activity were reduced. The mixture of both extracts produced dose-dependent effects. The GVII showed passivity, reduced motor activity, motor loss of lower limbs, strong convulsions, facial tremors, diuresis, irritability and spasms. In microscopic analysis there were observed alterations in the brain, cerebellum, liver and aorta. These changes arose from the first doses and increased with doses of 3.5 and 7.0 mL. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the ingestion of Banisteriopsis caapi+Diplopteris cabrerana mixture has psychoactive and organic effects in rats at the doses administered so the study must be taken into account for future experimentation.