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Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Peganum harmala and its main alkaloids

Milad Moloudizargari, Peyman Mikaili, Shahin Aghajanshakeri, Mohammad Hossein Asghari, Jalal Shayegh

Pharmacognosy Reviews/Bioinformatics Trends/Pharmacognosy review 2013 DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.120524 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca
Keywords Peganum harmala Harmine Harmaline Zygophyllaceae Traditional medicine Botany Pharmacology
Citations 381
Key findings The most important constituents of Peganum harmala are beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmalol, harmaline, and harmine, which have demonstrated various pharmacological and therapeutic effects.

Abstract

Wild Syrian rue (Peganum harmala L. family Zygophyllaceae) is well-known in Iran and various parts of this plant including, its seeds, bark, and root have been used as folk medicine. Recent years of research has demonstrated different pharmacological and therapeutic effects of P. harmala and its active alkaloids, especially harmine and harmaline. Analytical studies on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmalol, harmaline, and harmine. Harmine is the most studied among these naturally occurring alkaloids. In addition to P. harmala (Syrian rue), these beta-carbolines are present in many other plants such as Banisteria caapi and are used for the treatment of different diseases. This article reviews the traditional uses and pharmacological effects of total extract and individual active alkaloids of P. harmala (Syrian rue).

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Ayahuasca Supports

    Reviews traditional uses and pharmacological effects of Peganum harmala and its beta-carboline alkaloids, including harmine and harmaline, which are also present in Banisteriopsis caapi.

    Synthesized

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Cited by 24

and 19 more in the library

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