Evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of ayahuasca employing the epithelial tumor test in Drosophila melanogaster
Alexandre Azenha Alves de Rezende, Luis Felipe Dos Santos Silva, Luciana Karen Calábria
Open Access Journal of Science 2025 DOI: 10.15406/oajs.2025.08.00268 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study using the Drosophila melanogaster Epithelial Tumor Detection Test Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae (72 ± 4 hours old) |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca tea |
| Dose | 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100% concentrations |
| Measures | Drosophila melanogaster Epithelial Tumor Detection Test |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca tea showed toxicity at all tested concentrations except 3.125%, an effect the authors attribute probably to beta-carbolines with possible insecticidal action. No carcinogenic effect was identified in the treated flies. The authors suggest further studies before ayahuasca can be considered a safe therapeutic practice. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink used mainly by indigenous peoples. Its preparation involves the decoction of the Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V. Morton vine with Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. leaves. The psychoactive effect is derived from the combination of the dimethyltryptamine from the shrub with the alkaloids from the vine. Given the promising therapeutic potential and the need for studies to evaluate the toxic potential of ayahuasca, the Drosophila melanogaster Epithelial Tumor Detection Test was used. Third instar larvae (72 + 4h) were treated with different concentrations (3.125; 6.25; 12.5; 25; 50 and 100%) of the ayahuasca tea. The adult individuals were analyzed using a magnifying glass, and the frequency of tumors was recorded in a specific spreadsheet. Under the experimental conditions used, it was possible to identify toxicity in all concentrations, except 3.125%. The identified toxic effect is probably associated with the presence of beta-carbolines, which are alkaloids and may have an insecticidal action. According to the results, no carcinogenic effect associated with the tea treatments was identified, thus, further studies are suggested so that ayahuasca can be used as a safe therapeutic practice.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeing with the eyes shut: Neural basis of enhanced imagery following ayahuasca ingestion Human participants (number not stated) | 2011 | Within-subjects experimental study | |
| Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking Participants at spiritual ayahuasca workshops | 2016 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 26 |
| Metabolism and disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and harmala alkaloids after oral administration of ayahuasca Healthy male volunteers | 2012 | Observational pharmacokinetic study | n = 10 |
| New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca. | 2018 | Review with original neuroimaging and neurophysiological data | |
| Stability Evaluation of DMT and Harmala Alkaloids in Ayahuasca Tea Samples Ayahuasca tea samples | 2020 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1, 1984
- Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness Current Neuropharmacology March 2, 2018
- Effects of ayahuasca on mental health and quality of life in naïve users: A longitudinal and cross-sectional study combination Scientific Reports March 5, 2020
- Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage Phytochemical Analysis January 12, 2009
- Ayahuasca: A review of historical, pharmacological, and therapeutic aspects. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports December 1, 2023
and 7 more in the library