Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin

Faro, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo; Trana, Annagiulia Di; Maida, Nunzia La; Tagliabracci, Adriano; Giorgetti, Raffaele; Busardò, Francesco Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112945

Cited by 36 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 218 publications

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“…In fact, such abuse has been hampering research progress and clinical application of hallucinogens for many decades. As such, comprehensive toxicological analysis of both biological samples and ayahuasca itself are important topics in a forensic context [ 210 ].…”

Section: Toxicological Analysis and Forensic Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, Lo Faro et al [ 210 ] recently covered the analytical techniques commonly used for the identification and quantification of ayahuasca alkaloids in confiscated materials. Analytical tools include hyphenated HPLC and GC systems, [ 49 , 217 ], namely nitrogen-phosphorus detector or MS [ 218 , 219 , 220 ].…”

Section: Toxicological Analysis and Forensic Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

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Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics of Ayahuasca Alkaloids N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), Harmine, Harmaline and Tetrahydroharmine: Clinical and Forensic Impact

et al. 2020

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Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic botanical beverage originally used by indigenous Amazonian tribes in religious ceremonies and therapeutic practices. While ethnobotanical surveys still indicate its spiritual and medicinal uses, consumption of ayahuasca has been progressively related with a recreational purpose, particularly in Western societies. The ayahuasca aqueous concoction is typically prepared from the leaves of the N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)-containing Psychotria viridis, and the stem and bark of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of harmala alkaloids. Herein, the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of the psychoactive DMT and harmala alkaloids harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, are comprehensively covered, particularly emphasizing the psychological, physiological, and toxic effects deriving from their concomitant intake. Potential therapeutic utility, particularly in mental and psychiatric disorders, and forensic aspects of DMT and ayahuasca are also reviewed and discussed. Following administration of ayahuasca, DMT is rapidly absorbed and distributed. Harmala alkaloids act as potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), preventing extensive first-pass degradation of DMT into 3-indole-acetic acid (3-IAA), and enabling sufficient amounts of DMT to reach the brain. DMT has affinity for a variety of serotonergic and non-serotonergic receptors, though its psychotropic effects are mainly related with the activation of serotonin receptors type 2A (5-HT2A). Mildly to rarely severe psychedelic adverse effects are reported for ayahuasca or its alkaloids individually, but abuse does not lead to dependence or tolerance. For a long time, the evidence has pointed to potential psychotherapeutic benefits in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders; and although misuse of ayahuasca has been diverting attention away from such clinical potential, research onto its therapeutic effects has now strongly resurged.

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Section: Toxicological Analysis and Forensic Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Toxicological Analysis and Forensic Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics of Ayahuasca Alkaloids N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), Harmine, Harmaline and Tetrahydroharmine: Clinical and Forensic Impact

et al. 2020

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“…Betel nut is one of the most widely used addictive substances in the world and represents the fourth most consumed drug after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine [ 23 , 154 ]. The fruit, obtained from the palm tree, Areca catechu L., is commonly chewed in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands [ 155 , 156 ] for its antiparasitic, digestive, euphoric, and aphrodisiac effects [ 157 , 158 ]. There are two main ways to prepare areca nut for chewing: wrapping a split unripe nut with lime paste (calcium oxide) in a betel tree leaf or inserting a piece of Piper betel L. inflorescence with lime paste into an unripe areca nut [ 22 , 154 , 159 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other major alkaloids are paynantheine, which is the second most abundant alkaloid (10% of total content), speciogynine, and speciociliatine. Among the various minor alkaloids, 7-hydroxymitragynine is of particular interest due to its important role in mediating the analgesic effect of mitragynine [ 157 ]. Both mitragynine and its oxidized metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine are partial agonists of µ-opioid receptors (MOR) and competitive antagonists of κ- and δ-opioid receptors (KOR and DOR), which are involved in analgesia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects

et al. 2020

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Sexual enhancers increase sexual potency, sexual pleasure, or libido. Substances increasing libido alter the concentrations of specific neurotransmitters or sex hormones in the central nervous system. Interestingly, the same pathways are involved in the mechanisms underlying many psychiatric and neurological disorders, and adverse reactions associated with the use of aphrodisiacs are strongly expected. However, sexual enhancers of plant origin have gained popularity over recent years, as natural substances are often regarded as a safer alternative to modern medications and are easily acquired without prescription. We reviewed the psychiatric and neurological adverse effects associated with the consumption of herbal aphrodisiacs Areca catechu L., Argemone Mexicana L., Citrus aurantium L., Eurycoma longifolia Jack., Lepidium meyenii Walp., Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, Panax quinquefolius L., Pausinystalia johimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille, Piper methysticum G. Forst., Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth., Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N. E. Brown, Turnera diffusa Willd. ex. Schult., Voacanga africana Stapf ex Scott-Elliot, and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases with the aim of identifying all the relevant articles published on the issue up to June 2020. Most of the selected sexual enhancers appeared to be safe at therapeutic doses, although mild to severe adverse effects may occur in cases of overdosing or self-medication with unstandardized products. Drug interactions are more concerning, considering that herbal aphrodisiacs are likely used together with other plant extracts and/or pharmaceuticals. However, few data are available on the side effects of several plants included in this review, and more clinical studies with controlled administrations should be conducted to address this issue.

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