Harmine stimulates proliferation of human neural progenitors
Vanja Dakic, Renata de Moraes Maciel, Hannah Drummond, Juliana Nascimento, Pablo Trindade, Stevens K. Rehen
PeerJ December 6, 2016 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2727 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human neural progenitor cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (97% nestin-positive) |
| Intervention | Harmine |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Topics | Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Harmine Cell growth Pargyline Pharmacology Neural stem cell Progenitor cell In vivo Monoamine oxidase Cell biology |
| Citations | 86 |
| Key points | Harmine enhances proliferation of human neural progenitor cells, likely via inhibition of DYRK1A. |
Abstract
Harmine is the β -carboline alkaloid with the highest concentration in the psychotropic plant decoction Ayahuasca. In rodents, classical antidepressants reverse the symptoms of depression by stimulating neuronal proliferation. It has been shown that Ayahuasca presents antidepressant effects in patients with depressive disorder. In the present study, we investigated the effects of harmine in cell cultures containing human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs, 97% nestin-positive) derived from pluripotent stem cells. After 4 days of treatment, the pool of proliferating hNPCs increased by 71.5%. Harmine has been reported as a potent inhibitor of the dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase (DYRK1A), which regulates cell proliferation and brain development. We tested the effect of analogs of harmine, an inhibitor of DYRK1A (INDY), and an irreversible selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) but not DYRK1A (pargyline). INDY but not pargyline induced proliferation of hNPCs similarly to harmine, suggesting that inhibition of DYRK1A is a possible mechanism to explain harmine effects upon the proliferation of hNPCs. Our findings show that harmine enhances proliferation of hNPCs and suggest that inhibition of DYRK1A may explain its effects upon proliferation in vitro and antidepressant effects in vivo .
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity through the activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors In vitro and in vivo (rodent) models | 2023 | Experimental study | |
| Psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB Mice | 2023 | Experimental study | |
| Effects of psilocybin on hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace fear conditioning Mice | 2013 | Experimental study | |
| The alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of the Amazonian hallucinogen Ayahuasca, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro Progenitor cells from subventricular and subgranular zones of adult mice brains | 2017 | In vitro experimental study | |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 36
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial Frontiers in Psychology June 4, 2019
- The alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of the Amazonian hallucinogen Ayahuasca, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro Scientific Reports July 7, 2017
- Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT. Scientific Reports October 9, 2017
- Neuroprotective potential of Ayahuasca and untargeted metabolomics analyses: applicability to Parkinson's disease. Journal of Ethnopharmacology June 12, 2020
and 31 more in the library
Cites 2
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
- Ayahuasca and the process of regulation in Brazil and internationally: Implications and challenges International Journal of Drug Policy August 19, 2011