The role of ayahuasca in cell viability and oxidative stress in gastric adenocarcinoma cell line.
Joana Gonçalves, José Francisco Cascalheira, Patrícia Valentão, Ângelo Luís, Eugenia Gallardo, Ana Paula Duarte
Natural Product Research July 4, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2375315 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) |
| Interventions | Mimosa hostilis and Peganum harmala |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Oxidative stress Gastric cancer Plant medicine Traditional medicine Ethnobotany Cancer research oncology Cancer treatment Stomach cancer Ags cells Cell biology apoptosis |
| Key points | Extracts from B. caapi, M. hostilis, and P. harmala induced apoptosis and significantly reduced oxidative stress in AGS cells. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage native to the Amazon, originally derived from Banisteriopsis caapi stem scrapings and Psychotria viridis leaves, exhibits hallucinogenic properties due to N,N-dimethyltryptamine. When combined with β-carbolines, it enters the bloodstream and central nervous system, inhibiting monoamine oxidase-A. Over time, therapeutic effects have been associated to ayahuasca consumption. This study assessed the impact of extracts from three plant decoctions used in ayahuasca preparation on the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS). MTT reduction assays selected B. caapi, Mimosa hostilis, and Peganum harmala samples as most effective. Lactate dehydrogenase activity evaluated membrane integrity loss, while oxidative stress induction was measured using dihydroethidium and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probes. Results revealed apoptosis induction in AGS cells, with all three samples significantly reducing oxidative stress.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.