Phytochemical prospecting of psychoactive índole alkaloids in Mimosa tenuiflora
Psychedelics. Tryptamines. Isolation. Mental disorders. SwissADME.
Mental disorders represent a broad and complex group of conditions that affect individuals' mood, behavior, and cognitive functions. Currently, depression is commonly treated through a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. However, despite the availability of several therapeutic approaches for anxiety and depression, a significant number of cases, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), do not respond adequately to conventional treatments, leading to Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). In this context, new alternatives, including psychedelicassisted therapies, are being explored. N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid found in various living organisms, including plants, animals, and even humans, with notable psychoactive properties. This study aimed to optimize the isolation and purification of DMT from the alkaline extract of the inner root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora (jurema-preta), as well as to assess the psychoactive effects and toxicity of serotonergic agonist alkaloids. Additionally, theoretical predictions were performed using in silico computational analyses, complemented by in vivo assays. The extracted compound achieved a yield of 1.4%, with minimal impurities. Alkaloid identification tests and thinlayer chromatography (TLC) with refractive index analysis confirmed the presence of the target compound. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses corroborated the structural identity of DMT, while computational studies demonstrated that the evaluated molecules meet pharmacokinetic criteria and exhibit favorable oral bioavailability, highlighting their potential as candidate drugs.