A rapid and simple method for the determination of psychoactive alkaloids by CE‐UV: application to Peganum Harmala seed infusions

Abstract

The β-carboline alkaloids of the harmala (HAlks) group are compounds widely spread in many natural sources, but found at relatively high levels in some specific plants like Peganum harmala (Syrian rue) or Banisteriopsis caapi. HAlks are a reversible Mono Amino Oxidase type A Inhibitor (MAOI) and, as a consequence, these plants or their extracts can be used to produce psychotropic effects when are combined with psychotropic drugs based on amino groups. Since the occurrence and the levels of the HAlks in natural sources are subject to significant variability, more widespread use is not clinical but recreational or ritual, for example B. caapi is a known part of the Ayahuasca ritual mixture. The lack of simple methods to control the variable levels of these compounds in natural sources restricts the possibilities to dose in strict quantities and, as a consequence, limits its use with pharmacological or clinical purposes. In this work, we present a fast, simple, and robust method of quantifying simultaneously the six HAlks more frequently found in plants, i.e., harmine, harmaline, harmol, harmalol, harmane, and norharmane, by capillary electrophoresis instruments equipped with the more common detector UV. The method is applied to analyze these HAlks in P. Harmala seeds infusion which is a frequent intake form for these HAlks. The method is validated in three different instruments in order to evaluate the transferability and to compare the performances between them. In this case, harmaline, harmine, and harmol were found in the infusion samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quality criterion to optimize separations in capillary electrophoresis: Application to the analysis of harmala alkaloids

“…Although not the main objective of the present work, we will propose how to continue the optimization of these analytes. In a previous publication, we demonstrated that the peak shape and efficiency for separation of these alkaloids could be improved by adding 20% (v/v) of methanol to this same BGE [35]. The electropherograms obtained when methanol is added at levels of 10% and 20% by volume are depicted in Fig.…”

Screening bioactive compounds from natural product and its preparations using capillary electrophoresis

“…These developed approaches were proved by quantifying several compounds of TCMs. Additionally, phenolic compounds, psychoactive alkaloids, and even derivative amino acids can be separated and determined by CZE‐UV under optimized running conditions . CZE as the original mode is relatively stable and easy‐operation.…”