Avaliação In Vitro dos Potenciais Efeitos Terapêuticos e Toxicológicos Associados ao Consumo de Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage that has been consumed for centuries and was originally used by indigenous tribes in the northwest of the Amazon. This beverage consists of a decoction, thick, oily, and brownish in color, which is originally prepared from the leaves of Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. and the scrapings of the stem of Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V.Morton, although over the years several modifications of this decoction have been developed. Currently, some natural or synthetic adulterants that can mimic the effects of the plants originally used are known. This decoction contains the hallucinogenic compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from Psychotria viridis, and β-carboline alkaloids such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine (THH) and harmaline, which come from Banisteriopsis caapi. DMT is the main psychoactive component of ayahuasca, since it acts as a serotonin receptor (5-HT1A/2A/2C) agonist and, when ingested alone, is metabolized by peripheral monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), making it if harmless. However, together with the β-carboline alkaloids, it can reach the circulation and the central nervous system, by temporarily inhibiting MAO-A. Additionally, THH also inhibits serotonin reuptake enhancing the effects of DMT. This synergy between compounds is known by the indigenous peoples for about 3000 years. Thus, originally, the tribes resorted to this beverage for therapeutic and religious purposes. It was also used by native healers to treat psychological disorders, stimulate visual creativity and creative thinking. More recently, non-indigenous religious entities in various countries, especially in Latin America, also used this beverage for their ceremonies, namely Barquinha, União do Vegetal and Santo Daime. These last two, currently spread to other continents. In recent decades, the popularity of ayahuasca has increased worldwide, being seen as a natural remedy used for millennia to cure various diseases. Thus, currently this beverage, despite continuing to be used in a ...