Maternal and Developmental Toxicity of Ayahuasca in Wistar Rats

Author(s)

Rodrigues Oliveira, Carolina Dizioli ^[1] ; Moreira, Camila Queiroz ^[2] ; Marques de Sa, Lilian Rose ^[2] ; Spinosa, Helenice de Souza ^[2] ; Yonamine, Mauricio

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Vet Med & Zootechny, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH PART B-DEVELOPMENTAL AND REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY; v. 89, n. 3, p. 207-212, JUN 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ayahuasca is a psychotropic plant beverage initially used by shamans throughout the Amazon region during traditional religious cult. In recent years, ayahuasca has also been used in ceremonies of a number of modern syncretic religious groups, including pregnant women. However, no documented study has been performed to evaluate the risk of developmental toxicity of ayahuasca. METHODS: In the present work, maternal and developmental toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats. Ayahuasca was administered to pregnant rats in three different doses {[}the equivalent typical dose (TD) administered to humans, five-fold TD and 10-fold TD] during the gestational period (6-20 days). RESULTS: Dams treated with the highest ayahuasca dose showed maternal toxicity with decrease of weight gain and food intake. Visceral fetal findings were observed in all treatment groups. Skeletal findings were observed in the intermediate- and high-dose groups. The fetuses deriving from the highest dose group also presented a decrease in body weight. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is possible to conclude that there is a risk of maternal and developmental toxicity following ayahuasca exposure and that the level of toxicity appears to be dose-dependent. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:207-212, 2010. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (AU)