Comparison of the hallucinogenic indole alkaloids ibogaine and harmaline for potential immunomodulatory activity.
The immunomodulatory potential of the indole alkaloids ibogaine and harmaline was examined in a panel of in vitro immune function assays. These assays were chosen to assess T-cell regulatory and effector function, B-cell function, macrophage function, and natural killer-cell function. The in vitro exposure to either ibogaine or harmaline resulted in a dose-related suppression of all immune functions examined except macrophage function. This suppression was noted at various concentrations in different assays, but was generally only associated with high concentrations (10-100 mumol/l).
House
R V
RV
Life Sciences Department, IIT Research Institute, Chicago, IL 60616, USA.
Thomas
P T
PT
Bhargava
H N
HN
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006246:Harmaline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007050:Ibogaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006213:Hallucinogens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007050:Ibogaine; D006246:Harmaline