Maternal and developmental toxicity of the hallucinogenic plant-based beverage ayahuasca in rats

Motta, Luciana Gueiros da; Morais, Juliana Alves de; Tavares, Ana Carolina A.M.; Vianna, Leonora M S; Mortari, Márcia Renata; Amorim, Rivadávio Fernandes Batista de; Carvalho, Rosângela Ribeiro de; Paumgartten, Francisco José Roma; Pic‐Taylor, Aline; Caldas, Eloísa Dutra

doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.03.002

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Most of the studies that investigated the levels of alkaloids in ayahuasca in the last 20 years analyzed fewer than 10 samples, except for Souza et al (38 samples) [ 45 ] and Callaway (29 samples) [ 43 ]. Pires et al [ 46 ] analyzed by GC-NPD eight ayahuasca samples prepared by a religious group settled in a Brazilian city and found harmaline concentrations higher than harmine and THH in all samples, which contradicts the results of the present and all other studies conducted with both ayahuasca and B. caapi [ 4 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 88%

“…The variability of the chemical profile of the main alkaloids in ayahuasca and B. caapi is extremely important and should be considered when interpreting different biological effects found with different materials in animal studies. Da Motta et al [ 48 ] and Oliveira et al [ 49 ] evaluated the developmental effects of ayahuasca on pregnant rats using the same protocol and similar doses, but the results obtained were very different, with the first study showing more important toxicity, including maternal and embryo deaths. The sources of the brew were different in the studies (UDV and Daime, respectively), with different β-carboline and DMT levels and ratios, which probably influenced the observed effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biodiversity of β-Carboline Profile of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ayahuasca, a Plant and a Brew with Neuropharmacological Potential

Santos

Oliveira

Sonsin‐Oliveira

et al. 2020

Plants

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Ayahuasca is a psychoactive infusion with a large pharmacological application normally prepared with Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains the monoamine oxidase inhibitors β-carbolines, and Psichotria virids, which contains the serotonin receptor agonist N,N dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The objectives of this study were to investigate the chemical profile of B. caapi and of ayahuasca collected in various Brazilian regions. In total, 176 plant lianas, of which 159 B. caapi and 33 ayahuasca samples were analyzed. Dried liana samples were powdered, extracted with methanol, diluted, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Ayahuasca samples were diluted and analyzed. Mean concentrations in B. caapi were 4.79 mg/g harmine, 0.451 mg/g harmaline, and 2.18 mg/g tetrahydroharmine (THH), with a high variability among the samples (RSD from 78.9 to 170%). Native B. caapi samples showed significantly higher harmine concentrations than cultivated ones, and samples from the Federal District/Goiás had higher THH content than those collected in the State of Acre. The other Malpighiaceae samples did not contain β-carbolines, except for one D. pubipetala sample. Concentrations in ayahuasca samples ranged from 0.109 to 7.11 mg/mL harmine, 0.012 to 0.945 mg/mL harmaline, 0.09 to 3.05 mg/mL THH, and 0.10 to 3.12 mg/mL DMT. The analysis of paired ayahuasca/B. caapi confirmed that harmine is reduced to harmaline and to THH during the brew preparation. This is the largest study conducted with Malpighiaceae samples and showed a large variability in the main β-carbolines present in B. caapi. This biodiversity is a challenge for standardization of the material used in ethnopharmacological studies of B. caapi and ayahuasca.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity of β-Carboline Profile of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ayahuasca, a Plant and a Brew with Neuropharmacological Potential

Santos

Oliveira

Sonsin‐Oliveira

et al. 2020

Plants

Self Cite

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“…In circumstances of drug and alcohol abuse, it has also been stated that the beverage can reduce the abuse of such substances [6,21,22], reduce Depending on the origin and development of the plants used in ayahuasca beverage preparation, the chemical composition may differ, both in quantity and in quality. In addition, the preparation procedure of the beverage, done by religious or non-religious groups, can also impact on ayahuasca's composition and ultimate effects [17]. Moreover, depending on the dose, the alkaloids present in ayahuasca beverage can also trigger an effect on their own [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review

et al. 2019

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Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage prepared traditionally from a mixture of the leaves and stems of Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, respectively, being originally consumed by indigenous Amazonian tribes for ritual and medicinal purposes. Over the years, its use has spread to other populations as a means to personal growth and spiritual connection. Also, the recreational use of its isolated compounds has become prominent. The main compounds of this tea-like preparation are N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), β-Carbolines, and harmala alkaloids, such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline. The latter are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and are responsible for DMT psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system. Although consumers defend its use, its metabolic effects and those on the central nervous system are not fully understood yet. The majority of studies regarding the effects of this beverage and of its individual compounds are based on in vivo experiments, clinical trials, and even surveys. This paper will not only address the toxicological aspects of the ayahuasca compounds but also perform a comprehensive and critical review on the analytical methods available for their determination in biological and non-biological specimens, with special focus on instrumental developments and sample preparation approaches.

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“…The reproduction and developmental effects of DMT, either as pure substance or as DMT‐containing plants and extracts, have been studied (da Motta et al, 2018; Gardner et al, 2014; Oliveira et al, 2010). Increased rates of cleft palate, scoliosis, and skeletal deformities were reported in rat pups when pregnant rats were fed diets including DMT (60 μg/g of feed) (Gardner et al, 2014).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The changing outlook of psychedelic drugs: The importance of risk assessment and occupational exposure limits

Videira,

Nair,

Paquet

et al. 2023

J of Applied Toxicology

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Serotonergic psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐DMT), are currently being investigated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Clinical trials with psilocybin and LSD have shown improvement in emotional and psychological scores. Although these drugs are reported to be safe in a controlled environment (such as clinical trials), exposure to low doses of these drugs can result in psychedelic effects, and therefore, occupational safety is an important consideration to prevent adverse effects in the workplace from low daily exposure. This article will discuss the factors involved in the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs) and risk assessment of these psychedelic drugs. To support the OEL derivations of psychedelic drugs, information regarding their mechanism of action, adverse effect profiles, pharmacokinetics, clinical effects, and nonclinical toxicity were considered. Additionally, psilocybin and LSD, which are the most extensively researched psychedelic substances, are employed as illustrative examples in case studies. The OELs derived for psilocybin and for LSD are 0.05 and 0.002 μg/m3, respectively, which indicates that these are highly hazardous compounds, and it is important to take into account suitable safety measures and risk‐management strategies in order to minimize workplace exposure.

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Maternal and developmental toxicity of the hallucinogenic plant-based beverage ayahuasca in rats

Cited by 17 publications

References 37 publications

Biodiversity of β-Carboline Profile of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ayahuasca, a Plant and a Brew with Neuropharmacological Potential

Biodiversity of β-Carboline Profile of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ayahuasca, a Plant and a Brew with Neuropharmacological Potential

Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review

The changing outlook of psychedelic drugs: The importance of risk assessment and occupational exposure limits

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