Pharmacological Studies of Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala L., Zygophyllaceae)

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Syrian rue (Peganum harmala L., Zygophyllaceae) has been used in traditional medicine of Central Asia, the Middle East, and Caucasus areas (Azerbaijan) for centuries, mainly as ritual and psychedelic plant. At full growth, this erect, dichotomously branched shrub is about 1 m in height with a dense foliage consisting of narrow, linear, pinnate leaves with acute spreading lobes, and small solitary, axillary, white flowers and globe capsules enclosing numerous angular seeds. All parts of the plant (including roots) contain alkaloids. The seeds contain β-carbolineses (harmine, harmalol and harman) with the active hallucinogen being the alkaloid harmine. The seeds contain a red pigment used for coloring wool and carpets and for use as a spice and, in traditional medicine, as valuable aphrodisiac.