Pharmacological and Therapeutic Effects of Peganum harmala and its Main Alkaloids

Pharmacognosy Review,2013,7,14,199-212.
Published:October 2013
Type:Plant Review
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Milad Moloudizargari1, Peyman Mikaili2, Shahin Aghajanshakeri1, Mohammad Hossein Asghari1, Jalal Shayegh3

1Student of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, IRAN.

2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IRAN.

3Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, IRAN.

Abstract:

Wild Syrian rue (Peganum harmala L. family Zygophyllaceae) is well-known in Iran and various parts of this plant including, its seeds, bark, and root have been used as folk medicine. Recent years of research has demonstrated different pharmacological and therapeutic effects of P. harmala and its active alkaloids, especially harmine and harmaline. Analytical studies on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmalol, harmaline, and harmine. Harmine is the most studied among these naturally occurring alkaloids. In addition to P. harmala (Syrian rue), these beta-carbolines are present in many other plants such as Banisteria caapi and are used for the treatment of different diseases. This article reviews the traditional uses and pharmacological effects of total extract and individual active alkaloids of P. harmala (Syrian rue).

Cite This Article

Vancouver Style ::
M. Moloudizargari, Mikaili, P. , Aghajanshakeri, S. , Asghari, M. Hossein, and Shayegh, J. , Pharmacological and Therapeutic Effects of Peganum harmala and its Main Alkaloids, Pharmacognosy Review, vol. 7, no. 14, pp. 199-212, 2013.