AYAHUASCA TEA AS A SOURCE OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS WITH ANTIOXIDANT ACTION

Ayahuasca is an entheogenic beverage traditionally used in religious and spiritual rituals in the Amazon, with growing interest in its potential therapeutic effects. Compounds present in the beverage, such as β-carboline alkaloids and DMT, have been associated with antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The presence of phenolic compounds further reinforces its functional potential. Given the increasing ritualistic and medicinal use of Ayahuasca, it is essential to scientifically investigate its properties to understand its health impacts and potential therapeutic applications. The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Ayahuasca tea using different analytical methods and to quantify the total phenolic content present in its plant composition. The Ayahuasca extract was obtained from a spiritualist center and analyzed in the laboratories of UFU. The DPPH, ABTS, Phosphomolybdenum Complex, and Reducing Power methods were applied to assess antioxidant activity, along with the quantification of total phenolic compounds using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Tests were performed in triplicate and statistically analyzed using specialized software. The results demonstrated that Ayahuasca tea exhibits significant antioxidant activity, dependent on the concentration applied. In the DPPH method, efficacy progressively increased, reaching saturation at higher concentrations. In the ABTS method, antioxidant action was limited at lower concentrations but increased significantly above 25 mg/mL. The Reducing Power and Phosphomolybdenum Complex methods confirmed the extract's ability to donate electrons, indicating broad antioxidant activity. The quantification of phenolic compounds revealed 14.2 mg GAE/g, a value comparable to other medicinal plants. The observed antioxidant activity may be attributed to the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and β-carboline alkaloids such as harmine and harmaline, which exhibit redox properties and synergistic potential. Previous studies support the efficacy of these compounds in neutralizing free radicals, protecting cellular DNA, and acting on anti-inflammatory pathways, which may justify Ayahuasca’s potential beneficial effects in therapeutic contexts. In conclusion, Ayahuasca tea demonstrated significant in vitro antioxidant activity, with consistent results across different analytical methods. The presence of phenolic compounds and alkaloids with reducing action indicates relevant therapeutic potential, especially in the context of oxidative processes. These findings support the need for further research aimed at future pharmacological applications and the safe use of Ayahuasca as a functional agent.