The effect of Banisteriopsis caapi (B. caapi) on the motor deficits in the MPTP‐treated common marmoset model of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Banisteriopsis caapi (B. caapi) contains harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, has monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity, and has reported antiparkinsonian activity in humans when imbibed as a tea; however, its effects are poorly documented. For this reason, motor function was assessed in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated common marmosets following administration of B. caapi extract (28.4-113.6 mg/kg; po), harmine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/ kg; sc), and selegiline (10 mg/kg; sc), alone or with a submaximal dose of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA; 4-7 mg/kg). L-DOPA reversed motor disability, increased locomotor activity, and induced moderate dyskinesia. B. caapi did not increase locomotor activity or induce dyskinesia but at 56.8 and 113.6 mg/kg improved motor disability. The L-DOPA response was unaltered by co-administration of B. caapi. Harmine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) produced a mild improvement in motor disability without affecting locomotor activity or dyskinesia but had no effect on the L-DOPA-induced antiparkinsonian response. Selegiline (10 mg/kg) alone improved motor function to the same extent as L-DOPA, but with only mild dyskinesia, and did not alter the response to L-DOPA, although dyskinesia was reduced. The findings suggest that B. caapi alone has a mild antiparkinsonian effect but does not enhance the L-DOPA response or reduce dyskinesia.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Ayahuasca Beverages

“…In this case, for all concentrations no statistical differences were observed when cells were exposed to this compound ( Figure 5D). These results are similar according to the literature, once the psychotropic effects of ayahuasca are only achieved when there is an interaction between DMT and beta-carbolines [11], on the other hand, recent studies showed that beta-carbolines have neuroprotective effects [28].…”

Calycosin attenuates MPTP‐induced Parkinson's disease by suppressing the activation of TLR/NF‐κB and MAPK pathways

“…Moreover, abnormal neuronal inflammation can promote the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Some antioxidants and anti‐inflammatory drugs can relieve experimental Parkinson's symptoms (da Costa et al, ; Fisher et al, ; Z. Y. Wang et al, ).…”

Plantas de poder: o uso da ayahuasca no Centro de Unificação Rosa Azul (CURA), Pará-Brasil

“…Verificou-se (Frecska, Szabo, Winkelman, Luna, McKenna , 2013) que o DMT pode estar associado à proteção e regeneração de células neurais. Fisher et al (2018) sinalizaram os alcaloides do cipó no combate a doenças degenerativas, a exemplo do Parkinson. Um grupo de pesquisadores (Morales-García, Revenga, Alonso-Gil, Rodríguez-Franco, Feilding, Perez-Castillo, Riba, 2017) conseguiram estimular a proliferação e diferenciação de células estaminais neuronais em neurônios de ratos adultos, corroborando o potencial de tais compostos na aplicação de estudos sobre distúrbios cerebrais.…”