Genotoxic and mutagenic evaluation of Ayahuasca in peripheral blood and bone marrow of Mus musculus.

Ayahuasca, a tea made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves used in Amazonian spiritual rituals and explored as an alternative therapy, showed no evidence of genotoxic or mutagenic effects in an in vivo mouse study. Oral administration of the tea to Mus musculus was tested using the COMET assay on peripheral blood (measuring tail length and percentage of DNA) and the micronucleus test on bone marrow. Results did not indicate genotoxic effects compared to the negative control, nor mutagenic effects. The findings contribute to discussions about the beverage's safety, suggesting no harmful effects on DNA under these conditions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ayahuasca (Santo Daime or Daime tea) is the Quechua name for a tea obtained from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine ( B. caapi ) with the leaves of the Psychotria viridis ( P.viridis ) shrub. For generations, this beverage has been used in spiritual rituals by indigenous communities in the Amazon. Its promising neuropharmacological properties and its use as an alternative therapy in medical procedures has generated discussions about its safety. In this context, more experimental investigations must be encouraged so that the scientific data generated can contribute to its more correct use. For this work, we conducted an in vivo investigation of the possible genotoxic and mutagenic effects of ayahuasca. We used peripheral blood (COMET assay) and bone marrow (MN micronucleus test) from Mus musculus after oral administration of the tea. The results did not indicate genotoxic effects for the COM assay (tail length and percentage of DNA) when compared to the negative control, nor mutagenic effects for the MN test. Therefore, we found no evidence of genotoxicity or mutagenicity that reinforces the discussion about the harmful effects of this beverage.