alterado para: “Avaliação in vitro associados ao consumo de Ayahuasca” AVALIAÇÃO IN VITRO DOS EFEITOS TOXICOLÓGICOS ASSOCIADOS AO CONSUMO DE AYAHUASCA.

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Publications

In Vitro Study of the Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility of the Main Compounds Present in Ayahuasca Beverages

Publication . Gonçalves, Joana; Castilho, Miguel; Rosado, Tiago; Luís, Ângelo; Restolho, José; Fernández, Nicolás; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana Paula

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage that contains the psychoactive compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine and β-carboline alkaloids. This study aims at determining in vitro the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of the main compounds present in decoctions of four individual plants, in a commercial mixture and in four mixtures of two individual plants used in the preparation of Ayahuasca. The samples were subjected to an in vitro digestion process, and the Caco-2 cell line was used as an absorption model. The integrity and permeability of the cell monolayer were evaluated, as well as the cytotoxicity of the extracts. After digestion and cell incubation, the compounds absorbed by the cell monolayer were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. The results showed that compounds such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine, Harmine, Harmaline, Harmol, Harmalol and Tetrahydroharmine were released from the matrix during the in vitro digestion process, becoming bioaccessible. Similarly, some of these compounds, after being incubated with the cell monolayer, were absorbed, becoming bioavailable. The extracts did not show cytotoxicity after cell incubation, and the integrity and permeability of the cell monolayer were not compromised.

2021Journal article

Open access

The Role of Ayahuasca in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cell Survival, Proliferation and Oxidative Stress

Publication . Gonçalves, Joana; Feijó, Mariana; Socorro, Sílvia; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana Paula

The psychedelic beverage ayahuasca is originally obtained by Banisteriopsis caapi (B. caapi) (BC) and Psychotria viridis (P. viridis) (PV). However, sometimes these plant species are replaced by others that mimic the original effects, such as Mimosa hostilis (M. hostilis) (MH) and Peganum harmala (P. harmala) (PH). Its worldwide consumption and the number of studies on its potential therapeutic effects has increased. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer properties of ayahuasca in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Thus, the maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of decoctions of MH, PH, and a mixture of these (MHPH) was determined. The activities of caspases 3 and 9 were evaluated, and the cell proliferation index was determined through immunocytochemical analysis (Ki-67). Two fluorescent probes were used to evaluate the production of oxidative stress and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was also evaluated. It was demonstrated that exposure to the extracts significantly induced apoptosis in Caco-2 cells, while decreasing cell proliferation. MH and MHPH samples significantly reduced oxidative stress and significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant differences were found in SOD activity. Overall, it was demonstrated that the decoctions have a potential anticancer activity in Caco-2 cells.

2024-06-02Journal article

Open access

The role of ayahuasca in cell viability and oxidative stress in gastric adenocarcinoma cell line

Publication . Gonçalves, Joana; Cascalheira, José; Valentão, Patrícia; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana Paula

Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage native to the Amazon, originally derived from Banisteriopsis caapi stem scrapings and Psychotria viridis leaves, exhibits hallucinogenic properties due to N,Ndimethyltryptamine. When combined with β-carbolines, it enters the bloodstream and central nervous system, inhibiting monoamine oxidase-A. Over time, therapeutic effects have been associated to ayahuasca consumption. This study assessed the impact of extracts from three plant decoctions used in ayahuasca preparation on the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS). MTT reduction assays selected B. caapi, Mimosa hostilis, and Peganum harmala samples as most effective. Lactate dehydrogenase activity evaluated membrane integrity loss, while oxidative stress induction was measured using dihydroethidium and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probes. Results revealed apoptosis induction in AGS Ucells, with all three samples significantly reducing oxidative stress.

2024-07-04Journal article

Restricted access

Psychoactive Substances of Natural Origin: Toxicological Aspects, Therapeutic Properties and Analysis in Biological Samples

Publication . Gonçalves, Joana; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana Paula

The consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) has been increasing, and this problem affects several countries worldwide. There is a class of NPSs of natural origin, consisting of plants and fungi, which have a wide range of alkaloids, responsible for causing relaxing, stimulating or hallucinogenic effects. The consumption of some of these substances is prompted by religious beliefs and cultural reasons, making the legislation very variable or even ambiguous. However, the abusive consumption of these substances can present an enormous risk to the health of the individuals, since their metabolism and effects are not yet fully known. Additionally, NPSs are widely spread over the internet, and their appearance is very fast, which requires the development of sophisticated analytical methodologies, capable of detecting these compounds. Thus, the objective of this work is to review the toxicological aspects, traditional use/therapeutic potential and the analytical methods developed in biological matrices in twelve plant specimens (Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Datura stramonium, Lophophora williamsii, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Piper methysticum Forst, Psilocybe, Salvia divinorum and Tabernanthe iboga).

2021Journal article

Open access

Evaluation of the In Vitro Wound-Healing Activity and Phytochemical Characterization of Propolis and Honey

Publication . Afonso, Alexandra M.; Gonçalves, Joana; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana P.

Honey and propolis are natural substances produced by Apis mellifera that contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and several other phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to phytochemically characterize three different types of honey and propolis, both separately and mixed, and to evaluate their wound-healing activity. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu’s and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by both the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and β-carotene bleaching test, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by a protein denaturation method. To evaluate the wound-healing activity of the samples, NHDF cells were subjected to a wound scratch assay. The obtained results showed that dark-brown honey presents a higher concentration of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Propolis samples had the highest concentrations in bioactive compounds. Examining the microscopic images, it was possible to verify that the samples promote cell migration, demonstrating the wound-healing potential of honey and propolis.

2020Journal article

Open access