Harmine (DB07919): A Comprehensive Pharmacological and Therapeutic Review

1. Introduction to Harmine

Harmine is a naturally occurring β-carboline alkaloid, a class of compounds known for their diverse biological activities, including psychoactive effects.[1] It is a prominent member of the harmala alkaloids. First isolated and named by Fritsch in 1848 from the seeds of

Peganum harmala (Syrian rue), harmine was subsequently identified in other botanical sources, most notably Banisteriopsis caapi, a key ingredient in the traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew, Ayahuasca.[1] Its chemical structure was elucidated in 1927.[1]

Harmine is identified by the DrugBank ID DB07919 and CAS Number 442-51-3.[1] Over its history, it has been known by various alternative names, including banisterin, banisterine, telopathin, telepathine, leucoharmine, yagin, and yageine.[1] These multiple designations often reflect its independent discovery from different plant sources and allude to the profound psychoactive effects observed by traditional users. For instance, the name 'telepathine' was coined due to the purported telepathic experiences reported by indigenous Amazonian peoples using Ayahuasca.[2]

The compound has a long history of both traditional and early pharmacological use, notably as an antiparkinsonian medication from the late 1920s to the early 1950s, although it was later abandoned for this purpose.[1] This early application, despite its discontinuation, hinted at neuroactive properties that are now being re-explored with modern scientific understanding. Harmine's journey from traditional ethnobotanical use to contemporary pharmacological investigation reveals a molecule with a complex, multi-target profile, presenting both significant therapeutic potential and notable safety considerations that continue to be areas of active research.

2. Chemical Properties