Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage.
BACKGROUND
Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis is rich in the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine, whereas B. caapi contains substantial amounts of beta-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. Because of differences in composition in ayahuasca preparations, a method to measure their main active constituents is needed.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and the main beta-carbolines found in ayahuasca preparations.


METHODS
The alkaloids were extracted by means of solid phase extraction (C(18)) and detected by gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorous detector.


RESULTS
The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02 mg/mL for all analytes. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.02-4.0 mg/mL (r(2 )> 0.99). The method was also precise (RSD < 10%).


CONCLUSIONS
A simple gas chromatographic method to determine the main alkaloids found in ayahuasca was developed and validated. The method can be useful to estimate administered doses in animals and humans for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of ayahuasca.
Pires
Ana Paula Salum
AP
Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580 B13B, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
De Oliveira
Carolina Dizioli Rodrigues
CD
Moura
Sidnei
S
Dörr
Felipe Augusto
FA
Silva
Wagner Abreu E
WA
Yonamine
Mauricio
M
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D031581:Banisteriopsis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / Q000032:analysis*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
D000470:Alkaloids; D002243:Carbolines; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine