Anti-addiction drug ibogaine inhibits hERG channels: a cardiac arrhythmia risk.
Xaver Koenig, Michael Kovar, Stefan Boehm, Walter Sandtner, Karlheinz Hilber
Addiction Biology March 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2012.00447.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human cells |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Dose | therapeutic concentrations |
| Topics | Ibogaine Addiction |
| Keywords | Anti-addiction drug Qt interval prolongation Herg potassium channels Indole alkaloid Ibogaine safety: ibogaine Safety profile Substance Cardiotoxicity: cardiac risk Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key findings | Therapeutic concentrations of ibogaine reduce currents through human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channels, providing a mechanism for potential life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. |
Abstract
Ibogaine, an alkaloid derived from the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga, has shown promising anti-addictive properties in animals. Anecdotal evidence suggests that ibogaine is also anti-addictive in humans. Thus, it alleviates drug craving and impedes relapse of drug use. Although not licensed as therapeutic drug, and despite evidence that ibogaine may disturb the rhythm of the heart, this alkaloid is currently used as an anti-addiction drug in alternative medicine. Here, we report that therapeutic concentrations of ibogaine reduce currents through human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channels. Thereby, we provide a mechanism by which ibogaine may generate life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on ibogaine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noribogaine is a G-protein biased κ-opioid receptor agonist. | 2015 | Experimental study with binding experiments, functional assays, and computational simulations | |
| Anti-addiction drug ibogaine inhibits voltage-gated ionic currents: a study to assess the drug's cardiac ion channel profile. Heterologously expressed human ion channels and guinea pig cardiomyocytes | 2013 | Experimental study | |
| Deconstructing the Iboga Alkaloid Skeleton: Potentiation of FGF2-induced Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Release by a Novel Compound. C6 glioma cells | 2016 | Laboratory study | |
| Ibogaine signals addiction genes and methamphetamine alteration of long-term potentiation. Rat brain models | 2002 | Review with experimental data | |
| Anti-addiction Drug Ibogaine Prolongs the Action Potential in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Human ventricular-like cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells | 2017 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
- Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development Frontiers in Pharmacology July 5, 2018
- Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2018
- The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: A Delicate Relation Molecules January 29, 2015
- Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: a retrospective study. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) November 1, 2014
and 21 more in the library
Cites 3
- Ibogaine: complex pharmacokinetics, concerns for safety, and preliminary efficacy measures. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2000
- Medication Development of Ibogaine as a Pharmacotherapy for Drug Dependencea. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences May 1, 1998
- Mechanisms of Antiaddictive Actions of Ibogainea. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences May 1, 1998