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

Rewarding Effects of the Hallucinogen 4-AcO-DMT Administration and Withdrawal in Rats: A Challenge to the Opponent-Process Theory

According to the opponent-process theory of drug addiction, the intake of an addictive substance initiates two processes: a rapid primary process that results in the drug's rewarding effects, and a slower opponent process that leads to the aversive motivational state of drug aftereffects. This aversive state is integral in the desire, pursuit, and maintenance of drug use, potentially leading to dependence and addiction. However, current observational and experimental evidence suggests that the administration of a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors-type 2A (5-HT2A) agonist, while capable of inducing a positive mental state in humans, may not generate the behavioral patterns typically associated with drugs of abuse. In this study, we found that administering the 5-HT2A agonist 4-Acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine fumarate (4-AcO-DMT) did not result in place preference in male rats compared to control saline administration 24 h later, after the drug has been cleared from the organism. However, in a modified place preference test where only the acute motivational effects of the drug were evaluated (excluding withdrawal), 4-AcO-DMT was found to be rewarding. Furthermore, in another modified place preference test where only the motivational effects of drug withdrawal were evaluated (excluding the acute effects of drug administration), the 24-hour aftereffect of 5-HT2A agonist administration also resulted in a robust place preference. Therefore, while 4-AcO-DMT administration was able to induce place preference, its 24-hour aftereffect also produced a strong reward. In the counterbalanced test, this reward from the aftereffect effectively overshadowed its acute rewarding properties, which could potentially create a false impression that 4-AcO-DMT lacks motivational properties. This suggests that 5-HT2A agonist administration follows a different dynamic than that proposed by the opponent-process theory of motivation and implies that the administration of 5-HT2A agonists may lead to behavioral patterns less typical of drugs associated with addiction.

Infoveillance and Critical Analysis of the Systematically Reviewed Literature on Dimethyltryptamine and the "God Molecule"

Aboriginals of Latin America have used DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) in ritualistic ceremonies for centuries. Nevertheless, there are limited data on web users' interest concerning DMT. We aim to review the literature and explore the spatial-temporal mapping of online search behavior concerning DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and the Colorado River toad via Google Trends over the past 10 years (2012-2022) while using 5 search terms: "N,N-dimethyltryptamine", "5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine", "5-MeO-DMT", "Colorado River toad", and "Sonoran Desert toad". Literature analysis conveyed novel information concerning DMT's past shamanic and present-day illicit uses, showcased experimental trials on DMT uses for neurotic disorders, and highlighted potential uses in modern medicine. DMT's geographic mapping signals originated mainly from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Far East Asia. In contrast, 5-MeO-DMT signals prevailed in Western Europe, Indo-China, and Australasia. Signals concerning the toad originated from the Americas, Australia, India, the Philippines, and Europe. Web users searched the most for "N,N-dimethyltryptamine" and "5-MeO-DMT". Three terms exhibited significant upgoing linear temporal trends: "5-MeO-DMT" (β = 0.37, p < 0.001), "Sonoran Desert toad" (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), and "Colorado River toad" (β = 0.17, p < 0.001). The literature and Infoedemiology data provided crucial information concerning DMT's legal status, risks and benefits, and potential for abuse. Nonetheless, we opine that in the upcoming decades, physicians might use DMT to manage neurotic disorders pending a change in its legal status.

No Boundaries for Toxicology in Clinical Medicine: One Health, One Society and One Planet for All of Us

The concept of One Health is not new; it can be traced back for at least two hundred years [...].

Natural Taxanes: From Plant Composition to Human Pharmacology and Toxicity

Biologically active taxanes, present in small- to medium-sized evergreen conifers of various Taxus species, are widely used for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but mostly for their antitumour effects used in the treatment of solid tumours of the breast, ovary, lung, bladder, prostate, oesophagus and melanoma. More of the substances found in Taxus plant extracts have medical potential. Therefore, at the beginning of this review, we describe the methods of isolation, identification and determination of taxanes in different plant parts. One of the most important taxanes is paclitaxel, for which we summarize the pharmacokinetic parameters of its different formulations. We also describe toxicological risks during clinical therapy such as hypersensitivity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, haematological, skin and renal toxicity and toxicity to the respiratory system. Since the effect of the drug-form PTX is enhanced by various Taxus spp. extracts, we summarize published clinical intoxications and all fatal poisonings for the Taxus baccata plant. This showed that, despite their significant use in anticancer treatment, attention should also be focused on the risk of fatal intoxication due to ingestion of extracts from these plants, which are commonly found in our surroundings.

New Insights into the Chemical Composition of Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage originally from the Amazon rainforest used in different shamanic settings for medicinal, spiritual, and cultural purposes. It is prepared by boiling in water an admixture of the Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi, which is a source of β-carboline alkaloids, with plants containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine, usually Psychotria viridis. While previous studies have focused on the detection and quantification of the alkaloids present in the drink, less attention has been given to other nonalkaloid components or the composition of the solids suspended in the beverage, which may also affect its psychoactive properties. In this study, we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to study the composition of ayahuasca samples, to determine their alkaloid qualitative and quantitative profiles, as well as other major soluble and nonsoluble components. For the first time, fructose was detected as a major component of the samples, while harmine (a β-carboline previously described as an abundant alkaloid in ayahuasca) was found to be present in the solids suspended in the beverage. In addition, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), harmine, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline, and harmol were identified as the major alkaloids present in extracts of all samples. Finally, a novel, easy, and fast method using quantitative NMR was developed and validated to simultaneously quantify the content of these alkaloids found in each ayahuasca sample.