The Pharmacology of Bufotenine
Constantino M Torres, David B. Repke
Routledge eBooks June 11, 2014 DOI: 10.4324/9781315864594-13 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
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| Key findings | Bufotenine is consistently the major alkaloidal component of Anadenanthera seeds, ranging from 1% to over 12% of fresh weight, and traditional preparations typically use only ground seeds. DMT and 5-hydroxy-N-monomethyltryptamine occur at concentrations too low relative to bufotenine to be likely pharmacologically significant, though the authors note synergism cannot be excluded. |
Abstract
Twelve indole alkaloids have been detected in the genus Anadenanthera. The distribution of these compounds in the various organs and vegetative parts of the plants is not uniform. Some are confined to the roots, bark, or leaves, others to the seed pods, still others to the seeds; many are found only in trace amounts (see Appendix). A l l 12 alkaloids have not been found in any single individual of any species of the genus. Although many of these compounds have exhibited biological activities in animals, this chapter reviews only the pharmacology of bufotenine, consistently detected as the major alkaloidal component of the seeds of every species in the genus, with a concentration ranging from 1 percent to over 12 percent of fresh weight. In most instances, Anadenanthera preparations used in traditional healing practices consist only of finely ground seeds. Occasionally, admixtures of other plants have been described and verified by chemical analysis. Other parts of Anadenanthera such as leaves or pods are rarely added to such preparations. Although D M T and 5-hydroxy-Af-monomethyltryptamine also occur in these seeds, their concentrations are so low relative to bufotenine that it is unlikely they are of pharmacological significance in these preparations. One cannot overlook the possibility of synergism, however.