In vitro neuronal characterization of the entheogenic plant Tagetes lucida Cav.
Science Letters April 11, 2026 Maria Eduarda Bertino Nahim Garcia, Ema Santos, Diana Dias Da Silva et al.
An aqueous extract of Tagetes lucida aerial parts, a plant used traditionally by Mesoamerican tribes and now recreationally for its psychoactivity, contains phenolic acids, coumarins, and flavonoids, mainly scoparone and herniarin. In human neuroblastoma cells, the extract caused mitochondrial depolarization starting at 250 µg/mL and impaired cell metabolism and membrane integrity at the highest concentration tested (1000 µg/mL). However, when cells were exposed to glutamate, the extract showed neuroprotection at concentrations from 62.5 to 250 µg/mL, counteracting excitotoxic effects. The extract also inhibited acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase A in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting neuromodulatory properties. These results highlight both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects, warranting further study.