Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca

McKenna, Dennis J.; Towers, G.H.N.; Abbott, Frank S.

doi:10.1016/0378-8741(84)90003-5

Cited by 340 publications

(319 citation statements)

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“…The discrepancy in alkaloid concentration can be explained by the different methods of preparation as well as the amounts and proportions of the source plants (McKenna, 2004). Also, alkaloid concentrations can vary considerably among plants and consequently the ayahuasca prepared with them (McKenna et al, 1984). Therefore, depending on all these factors, different ayahuasca preparations can produce variable intensity in psychotropic response.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Peruvian ayahuasca (100 mL) has been shown to contain dimethyltryptamine (60 mg), harmine (467 mg), harmaline (41 mg) and tetrahydroharmine (160 mg) using two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (McKenna et al, 1984), whereas Brazilian ayahuasca (100 mL) has been shown to contain 24, 170, 20 and 107 mg respectively of the same four alkaloids using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (Callaway et al, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

Pires

Oliveira

Moura

et al. 2009

Phytochemical Analysis

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ABSTRACT:A method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and β-carfbolines alkaloids (harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine) in ayahuasca preparations. The alkaloids were extracted by menas of solid phase extraction (C18) and detected by gas Introduction -Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis is rich in the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine, whereas B. caapi contains substantial amounts of b-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. Because of differences in composition in ayahuasca preparations, a method to measure their main active constituents is needed. Objective -To develop a gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and the main b-carbolines found in ayahuasca preparations. Methodology -The alkaloids were extracted by means of solid phase extraction (C 18 ) and detected by gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorous detector. Results -The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02 mg/mL for all analytes. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.02-4.0 mg/mL (r 2 > 0.99). The method was also precise (RSD < 10%). Conclusion -A simple gas chromatographic method to determine the main alkaloids found in ayahuasca was developed and validated. The method can be useful to estimate administered doses in animals and humans for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of ayahuasca.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

Pires

Oliveira

Moura

et al. 2009

Phytochemical Analysis

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“…Consumed alone, these monoamine compounds are susceptible to deamination by gut-derived MAO-A enzyme and their bioactivity is lost. However, when this extract is combined with the bark of Banisteriopsis caapi, a plant containing the powerful and reversible MAO inhibitors harmine and harmaline, the substituted tryptamines are protected from deamination by MAO-A and a powerful hallucinogenic experience, lasting up to 3 days, results [48].…”

Section: Modulation Of Gut Mao Enzymesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the oral bioavailability of beneficial polyphenols through designed synergies

2009

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“…Mescaline is still used in Native American Church ceremonies (Stewart, 1987). In Brazil (McKenna et al, 1984) and the broader Amazonian basin (Schultes and Hofmann, 1979), ritual healing practices and spiritual ceremonies are practiced using ayahuasca, a drink which combines plant derived DMT and b-carboline monoamine oxidase inhibitors that allow it to be used orally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future

2018

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a b s t r a c tThe classical psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide and mescaline, were used extensively in psychiatry before they were placed in Schedule I of the UN Convention on Drugs in 1967. Experimentation and clinical trials undertaken prior to legal sanction suggest that they are not helpful for those with established psychotic disorders and should be avoided in those liable to develop them. However, those with so-called 'psychoneurotic' disorders sometimes benefited considerably from their tendency to 'loosen' otherwise fixed, maladaptive patterns of cognition and behaviour, particularly when given in a supportive, therapeutic setting. Pre-prohibition studies in this area were sub-optimal, although a recent systematic review in unipolar mood disorder and a meta-analysis in alcoholism have both suggested efficacy. The incidence of serious adverse events appears to be low. Since 2006, there have been several pilot trials and randomised controlled trials using psychedelics (mostly psilocybin) in various non-psychotic psychiatric disorders. These have provided encouraging results that provide initial evidence of safety and efficacy, however the regulatory and legal hurdles to licensing psychedelics as medicines are formidable. This paper summarises clinical trials using psychedelics pre and post prohibition, discusses the methodological challenges of performing good quality trials in this area and considers a strategic approach to the legal and regulatory barriers to licensing psychedelics as a treatment in mainstream psychiatry.

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Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca

Cited by 340 publications

References 31 publications

Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

Improving the oral bioavailability of beneficial polyphenols through designed synergies

Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future

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