Journal of Ethnopharmacology
January 30, 2025
Santhiago C Graça, Isabella B Bustelli, Érica V Dos Santos et al.
2 citations
Ayahuasca, a beverage made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is used in the Amazon for healing. The B. caapi extract contains harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit monoamine oxidase and can increase norepinephrine in the locus coeruleus, potentially reducing inflammation in neurological diseases. In male Wistar rats with locus coeruleus lesions induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, treatment with B. caapi extract reduced locus coeruleus neurons, interfered with locomotion, and increased activation of inflammatory microglia. The extract also decreased IL-10 in the hippocampus and BDNF gene expression. At the concentration and frequency used, B. caapi extract promotes noradrenergic neuron depletion and creates a proinflammatory environment in the central nervous system.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
November 4, 2015
Baudry N Nsuala, Gill Enslin, Alvaro Viljoen
Leonotis leonurus, known as "wilde dagga," is traditionally used in South African medicine for conditions like haemorrhoids, epilepsy, and skin issues, and is smoked for a mild euphoric effect similar to but less potent than cannabis. This review of literature from 1900 to 2015 covers the plant's botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, and commercial aspects. Over 50 compounds, mainly terpenoids like the labdane diterpene marrubiin, have been isolated. The psychoactive alkaloid leonurine, often cited in popular sources, has never been confirmed by scientific analysis. Research confirms psychoactive effects of crude extracts, but isolation of specific psychoactive compounds is still needed. Adulteration with synthetic cannabinoids has been reported, underscoring the need for quality control.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
January 1, 2014
Kenneth J. Sufka, Melissa J Loria, Kevin Lewellyn et al.
Salvia divinorum extract and salvinorin A produced strong place aversion in rats, exceeding that of the negative control haloperidol, while mitragynine produced place preference similar to the positive control S(+)-amphetamine. The Mitragyna speciosa extract and its alkaloid-enriched fraction showed much weaker preference effects. These results suggest both botanicals have liabilities that warrant caution in their use.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
June 1, 1999
J C Callaway, D J McKenna, C S Grob et al.
After ingesting 2 ml/kg of hoasca (ayahuasca) tea, the four main alkaloids—DMT, harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine (THH)—were measured in the plasma of 15 volunteers. Peak psychoactive effects coincided with high alkaloid concentrations, especially DMT, which reached its maximum concentration at an average of 107.5 minutes. DMT's pharmacokinetics correlated with harmine's, while THH showed a relatively independent profile. The tea's harmala alkaloids inhibit monoamine oxidase A and weakly inhibit serotonin uptake, increasing serotonergic activity and enabling DMT's psychoactivity.