Tabernanthe iboga : a Comprehensive Review (original) (raw)

Plants used in traditional medicine represent a priceless tank of new bioactive molecules. Currently plant based drugs are researched and formulated in modern framework in new ways of medicine. Many of the thousands of plant species growing throughout the world have medicinal uses, containing active constituents having significative pharmacological actions. The root of the Tabernanthe iboga plant (also known as eboga) is the most frequently cited source of ibogaine, and this plant contains 11 other known psychoactive constituents. Ibogaine is the active chemical found in the African Tabernanthe iboga root as well as several other plant species. It is a strong, longlasting psychedelic used traditionally in a coming of age ritual but also known for its modern use in treating opiate addiction. Ibogaine has a long history of being used traditionally as a ceremonial, medicinal and spiritual tool in West Africa. Chemically, ibogaine is classified as a tryptamine, being a rigid analogue of melatonin, and is structurally similar to harmaline, another natural alkaloid and psychedelic agent. Ibogaine was first extracted from the Tabernanthe iboga root and it exerts primarily a stimulanting effect on the central nervous system. Ibogaine is a potent psychoactive substance showing also the unique property of significantly removing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings from substances causing chemical dependence. Recently, it has increasingly been used in western society as a unique therapy for detoxification from drugs and for other psychotherapeutic purposes. Given the above evidences, this is a comprehensive review of Tabernanthe iboga leading to contribute to the knowledge of the pharmacology, phytochemistry and therapeutic aspects of its psychoactive constituent, ibogaine.

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