Evaluation of the In Vitro Wound-Healing Potential of Ayahuasca.
Joana Gonçalves, Ângelo Luís, Eugenia Gallardo, Ana Paula Duarte
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) September 6, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185760 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | NHDF cell line (normal human dermal fibroblasts) |
| Intervention | four individual plants |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Hplc-dad Pampa assay Wound-healing activity Traditional-medicine Natural-compounds Pharmaceutical-research |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Decoctions of ayahuasca-related plants promoted skin fibroblast migration without cytotoxicity, and psychoactive compounds were not absorbed by the cell layer. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian drink, which contains β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing potential of decoctions of a commercial mixture, four individual plants and four mixtures of two plants used in the ayahuasca preparation. Thus, the cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated and a wound-healing assay was performed with a NHDF cell line. Subsequently, a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay was also performed, to verify if any psychoactive compound could be absorbed by skin fibroblasts. The integrity and permeability of the cell layer were also evaluated, using the transepithelial electrical resistance assay and Lucifer yellow permeability assay, respectively. The compounds absorbed by the cell layer were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. The results showed that only one sample showed cytotoxicity and all the others promoted the migration of skin fibroblasts. Additionally, it was also verified that β-carbolynic alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltriptamine were not absorbed by the cell layer, and in general, did not interfere with its permeability and integrity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where ayahuasca's wound-healing potential was evaluated.