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Phytochemistry of Harmal
Published in Ephraim Shmaya Lansky, Shifra Lansky, Helena Maaria Paavilainen, Harmal, 2017
Ephraim Shmaya Lansky, Shifra Lansky, Helena Maaria Paavilainen
The β-carboline indole alkaloids within P. harmala seeds are derived from tryptamine, a derivative of the indolic amino acid tryptophan. The parent skeleton is indole itself, the key plant growth hormone. P. harmala β-carboline indole alkaloids are also commonly known as “harmala alkaloids” after the plant species in question (Figures 6.1 through 6.3). Harmine is further found in other plants besides P. harmala, including the South American “vine of the soul,” Banisteriopsis caapi, the “engine” of the hallucinogenic brew, ayahuasca (Shanon 2010), tobacco, Nicotinia tabacum, and passion flowers (Passiflora incarnata).
Traditional Use of Banisteriopsis caapi Alone and Its Application in a Context of Drug Addiction Therapy
Published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2021
Matteo Politi, Fabio Friso, Gary Saucedo, Jaime Torres
Psychotropic properties of harmala alkaloids which belong to the group of β-Carbolines derivatives have been a matter of discussion since the early investigations of psychedelic drugs (Naranjo 1967). Preliminary studies of these alkaloids in humans, in particular harmine, report their visual hallucination effects of varying degrees of complexity and organization (Pennes and Hoch 1957). Recently, there has been a particular rise in interest with regards to β-Carbolines and research for mental health (Dos Santos and Hallak 2017). For instance, harman and harmine are considered multi-target antidepressant compounds and may be useful in the treatment of depressive disorders (Ferraz et al. 2019). β-Carbolines are of great interest due to their diverse biological activities including the interaction with benzodiazepine receptors and 5-hydroxy serotonin receptors demonstrating sedative, anxiolytic, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant activities (Cao et al. 2007), as well as potential effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (Piechowska, Zawirska-Wojtasiak, and Mildner-Szkudlarz 2019).
Syrian rue seeds interacted with acacia tree bark in an herbal stew resulted in N,N-dimethyltryptamine poisoning
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2019
Chuan-Huai Liu, Wei-Lan Chu, Shu-Chen Liao, Chen-Chang Yang, Chih-Chuan Lin
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a tryptamine with sympathomimetic effects and is an active ingredient of an ancient hallucinogenic beverage called “ayahuasca”, which is frequently used by adolescents and young adults [1]. DMT is commonly taken orally for recreation purpose. It is a challenge to confirm a diagnosis of DMT overdose in an acute situation. Commercially available urine drug test using enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) does not detect DMT. However, DMT may cross-react with sympathomimetic agents resulting in a false positive for amphetamine [2]. Harmaline, a plant alkaloid from the group of harmala alkaloids and beta-carbolines, is a central nervous system stimulant as well as a reversible monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor (MAO-A inhibitor) [3].