Ayahuasca: Uses, Phytochemical and Biological Activities

Abstract

Ayahuasca (caapi, yajé), is a psychoactive brew from the Amazon Basin region of South America traditionally considered a "master plant." It is prepared as a decoction from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, which it is thought that it stimulates creative thinking and visual creativity. Native healers of the Orinoco and Amazon basins have used traditionally ayahuasca as a healing tool for multiple purposes, particularly to treat psychological disorders in the patients, with some beneficial effects experimentally and clinically validated. Recently, several syncretic religions, as the "União de Vegetal" (UDV) group in Brazil, have been spread around the world. The use of ayahuasca has been popularized by internet and smart-shops, bringing the psychoactive substance to new highs, emerging new "ayahuasqueros." Ayahuasca has alkaloids as β-carbolines and dimethyltryptamines, which inhibit the monoamine oxidase and active the 5-HT_2A (5-hydroxytryptamine) receptor, respectively, resulting in hallucinations in the users. Ayahuasca induces a psychedelic change in the anteroposterior coupling of the electrophysiological brain oscillations in humans. Traditional ayahuasca beverage is generating pharmacological, commercial and spiritual interest among the scientific community, government people, and different populations worldwide. The goal of this article is to report about the uses, chemistry and biological activities of ayahuasca.

Keywords: Ayahuasca; Banisteriopsis caapi; Psychotherapy; Psychotria viridis – dimethyltryptamine; β-carbolines.

Fig. 1

Shaman Juan Mutumbajoy Jacanamijoy showing the lianas of Banisteriopsis caapi (Malpighiaceae) at Vereda Tamabioy, Municipality of Sibundoy, Putumayo, Colombia

Fig. 2

Pictures of Shaman in ayahuasca ritual referring to leaves of P. viridis and lianas of B. caapi in a vase containing ayahuasca beverage, often accompanied by singing, culminating in the vision of a jaguar or birds. Left: Picture at Ambiaku Turistic Center, Municipality de Colon, Putumayo, Colombia; Right: Wood carving in Maloka´s Shaman Juan Mutumbajoy at Vereda Tamabioy, Municipality of Sibundoy, Putumayo,Colombia

Fig. 3

Main compounds in P. viridis (1-5) and B. caapi (6-15)