The iboga enigma: the chemistry and neuropharmacology of iboga alkaloids and related analogs.
Rishab N Iyer, David Favela, Guoliang Zhang, David E. Olson
Natural Product Reports March 4, 2021 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00033g (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Addiction treatment Neurotherapeutics Drug development |
| Key findings | Iboga alkaloids continue to challenge assumptions about biosynthetic pathways, inspire new synthetic strategies, and support novel approaches for treating mental illness. |
Abstract
Covering: 2000 up to 2020 Few classes of natural products have inspired as many chemists and biologists as have the iboga alkaloids. This family of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids includes the anti-addictive compound ibogaine as well as catharanthine, a precursor to the chemotherapeutic vinblastine. Despite being known for over 120 years, these small molecules continue to challenge our assumptions about biosynthetic pathways, catalyze our creativity for constructing complex architectures, and embolden new approaches for treating mental illness. This review will cover recent advances in both the biosynthesis and chemical synthesis of iboga alkaloids as well as their use as next-generation neurotherapeutics. Whenever appropriate, we provide historical context for the discoveries of the past decade and indicate areas that have yet to be resolved. While significant progress regarding their chemistry and pharmacology has been made since the 1960s, it is clear that the iboga alkaloids will continue to stoke scientific innovation for years to come.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics as medicines for substance abuse rehabilitation: evaluating treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca. | 2014 | Review | |
| The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: A Delicate Relation Humans, animals | 2015 | Review | |
| Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence. | 2013 | Review | |
| Ibogaine, an anti-addictive drug: pharmacology and time to go further in development. A narrative review. | 2008 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
- Psychedelic-inspired approaches for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Journal of Neurochemistry July 1, 2022
- Overcoming Depression with 5-HT2A Receptor Ligands International Journal of Molecular Sciences December 21, 2021
- Engineering Safer Psychedelics for Treating Addiction. Neuroscience Insights 2021
- Efficient and modular synthesis of ibogaine and related alkaloids. Nature Chemistry March 1, 2025
and 18 more in the library
Cites 64
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
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- Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine. American Journal on Addictions 1999
- Effects of iboga alkaloids on morphine and cocaine self-administration in rats: relationship to tremorigenic effects and to effects on dopamine release in nucleus accumbens and striatum. Brain Research September 19, 1994
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediates the Desirable Actions of the Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine against Alcohol Consumption Journal of Neuroscience January 19, 2005
and 59 more in the library