Ayahuasca as a Decoction Applied to Human: Analytical Methods, Pharmacology and Potential Toxic Effects

Abstract

Ahyahuasca is a term commonly used to describe a decoction prepared by cooking the bark or crushed stems of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi (contains β-carbolines) alone or in combination with other plants, most commonly leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis (contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine-DMT). More than 100 different plants can serve as sources of β-carbolines and DMT, which are the active alkaloids of this decoction, and therefore it is important to know the most accurate composition of the decoction, especially when studying the pharmacology of this plant. The aim was to summarize the latest sensitive methods used in the analysis of the composition of the beverage itself and the analysis of various biological matrices. We compared pharmacokinetic parameters in all of the studies where decoction of ayahuasca was administered and where its composition was known, whereby minimal adverse effects were observed. The therapeutic benefit of this plant is still unclear in the scientific literature, and side effects occur probably on the basis of pre-existing psychiatric disorder. We also described toxicological risks and clinical benefits of ayahuasca intake, which meant that the concentrations of active alkaloids in the decoction or in the organism, often not determined in publications, were required for sufficient evaluation of its effect on the organism. We did not find any post-mortem study, in which the toxicological examination of biological materials together with the autopsy findings would suggest potential lethality of this plant.

New Insights into the Chemical Composition of Ayahuasca

“… 4 − 7 Recently, ayahuasca has captured the attention of the scientific community as part of the “renaissance of psychedelic studies”. 8 − 10 Several reports highlight its potential therapeutic applications in clinical and nonclinical settings for the treatment of depression, 11 − 14 grief, 15 eating disorders, 16 and substance use disorders (SUDs). 17 − 22 In addition, preclinical studies have shown that DMT, β-carbolines, and ayahuasca preparations present antidepressant-like effects in animal models 23 − 25 and that administration of the beverage can block ethanol preference in an animal model of dependence.…”

“…The chemical composition of the psychoactive alkaloids present in ayahuasca is variable and has been extensively studied. 10 Generally, the main β-carboline alkaloids that are present in the drink are harmine ( 1 ) and (+)-tetrahydroharmine ( 2 ), while harmaline ( 3 ) and other demethylated variants such as harmol ( 4 ) are found as minor components ( Figure 1 ). 27 The quantity of β-carbolines can be variable since different varieties of B. caapi (e.g., caupuri and tucunacá) 28 or species of Banisteropsis (e.g., B. longialata , B. lútea , B. martiniana , and B. muricata ) can be used for the preparation of ayahuasca.…”

“…Almost four decades ago, ayahuasca traveled from its traditional uses in the Amazon basin to religious, therapeutic, and spiritual centers with a worldwide distribution. , Brazilian churches that use ayahuasca as part of their religious practices, such as the Santo Daime and União do Vegetal , as well as shamanic practices involving the ingestion of the beverage in group rituals, have expanded globally within the psychospiritual transnational networks. − Recently, ayahuasca has captured the attention of the scientific community as part of the “renaissance of psychedelic studies”. − Several reports highlight its potential therapeutic applications in clinical and nonclinical settings for the treatment of depression, − grief, eating disorders, and substance use disorders (SUDs). − In addition, preclinical studies have shown that DMT, β-carbolines, and ayahuasca preparations present antidepressant-like effects in animal models − and that administration of the beverage can block ethanol preference in an animal model of dependence …”

“…The chemical composition of the psychoactive alkaloids present in ayahuasca is variable and has been extensively studied . Generally, the main β-carboline alkaloids that are present in the drink are harmine ( 1 ) and (+)-tetrahydroharmine ( 2 ), while harmaline ( 3 ) and other demethylated variants such as harmol ( 4 ) are found as minor components (Figure ).…”

Natural Taxanes: From Plant Composition to Human Pharmacology and Toxicity

“…For example, in an animal study, 10-Deacetylbaccatine III (10-DAB III, also a taxane with antitumor effect) reached higher concentrations in the blood, lungs, kidney, brain, liver, heart, and spleen throughout the time range of concentration measurement when T. chinensis extract was administered compared to the administration of pure 10-DAB III substance [ 11 ]. In various plants as well as Taxus spp., different mechanisms have been observed where the components of the same plant can have a synergistic effect of biologically active substances, which can ultimately have a positive or negative effect [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Recently, one of the improvements in the effect of PTX is its combination with the Taxus extract itself.…”