The alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of the Amazonian hallucinogen Ayahuasca, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro
José Á. Morales-García, Mario de la Fuente Revenga, Sandra Alonso‐gil, Marı́a Isabel Rodrı́guez-franco, Amanda Feilding, Ana Pérez‐castillo, Jordi Riba
Scientific Reports July 7, 2017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05407-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Progenitor cells from subventricular and subgranular zones of adult mice brains |
| Interventions | harmine tetrahydroharmine harmaline harmol |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Subventricular zone Harmine Neural stem cell Subgranular zone Pharmacology |
| Citations | 173 |
| Key findings | Harmine, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline, and harmol stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro by promoting neural stem cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into adult neurons. |
Abstract
Abstract Banisteriopsis caapi is the basic ingredient of ayahuasca, a psychotropic plant tea used in the Amazon for ritual and medicinal purposes, and by interested individuals worldwide. Animal studies and recent clinical research suggests that B . caapi preparations show antidepressant activity, a therapeutic effect that has been linked to hippocampal neurogenesis. Here we report that harmine, tetrahydroharmine and harmaline, the three main alkaloids present in B . caapi , and the harmine metabolite harmol, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro . In neurospheres prepared from progenitor cells obtained from the subventricular and the subgranular zones of adult mice brains, all compounds stimulated neural stem cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into adult neurons. These findings suggest that modulation of brain plasticity could be a major contribution to the antidepressant effects of ayahuasca. They also expand the potential application of B . caapi alkaloids to other brain disorders that may benefit from stimulation of endogenous neural precursor niches.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Eight ayahuasca samples from Peru and several Banisteriopsis caapi cultivars | 1984 | Qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis with in vitro assay | |
| N,N-dimethyltryptamine compound found in the hallucinogenic tea ayahuasca, regulates adult neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo Mice | 2020 | In vitro and in vivo experimental study | |
| Behavioural and neurotoxic effects of ayahuasca infusion (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis) in female Wistar rat Female Wistar rats | 2015 | Observational cohort | |
| Effects of ayahuasca on the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and on a post-sensitization treatment in mice Mice | 2015 | Experimental study | |
| The natural hallucinogen 5-MeO-DMT, component of Ayahuasca, disrupts cortical function in rats: reversal by antipsychotic drugs. Rodents | 2014 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 108
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
- Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics Frontiers in Psychiatry September 10, 2021
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
and 103 more in the library
Cites 21
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
- Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology December 11, 2015
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1, 1984
- Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 18, 2003
and 16 more in the library