CLASSIFICATION
Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Tabernanthe
Species: Tabernanthe iboga
COMMON NAMES
Iboga, Eboka, Eboga, Bois sacré and Eroga.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Tabernanthe iboga is a plant with dark green leaves, shiny, glossy inflorescences, and small yellow-orange pepper-like fruits. The plant produces slender flower clusters called inflorescences, which grow on stalks and display vibrant colors. The male iboga has elongated fruits, while the female iboga has rounder ones. The plant's root bark is rich in alkaloids, with ibogaine being the most significant. The plant's psychoactive properties and traditional uses in spiritual and medicinal practices are attributed to its alkaloids content. Tabernanthe iboga is indigenous to Central Africa, particularly found in regions such as Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo.
PHYTOCHEMICALS
Tabernanthe iboga contains the prominent alkaloid ibogaine, which is known for its psychoactive effects and potential in treating opioid addiction. Other alkaloids in the root bark include noribogaine and voacangine. The root bark also contains phenolic compounds like 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, known for its antioxidant properties.
ETHNOMEDICINAL USES
The boiled leaves of the iboga plant are traditionally used to treat toothaches, while its latex acts as an anthelmintic to eliminate parasitic worms, and the roots serve as a natural anesthetic and fever reducer. Culturally, iboga is essential to initiation rites in Gabonese secret societies like the Bwiti, promoting spiritual awakening and personal growth. Additionally, iboga is being researched for its potential in managing type 2 diabetes in Gabon, highlighting the relevance of traditional knowledge in addressing modern health issues.
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS
Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic substance used in spiritual rituals, has been investigated for its potential as a treatment for substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction, due to its ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
ANTI-ADDICTIVE PROPERTIES
Ibogaine, a potent anti-addictive treatment, has shown significant improvements since the 1960s in reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, attracting increased interest in its clinical applications.
METABOLIC EFFECTS:
Recent research indicates that iboga extracts, specifically ibogaine, have potential in managing type 2 diabetes. Studies show that ibogaine can stimulate insulin release and normalize blood glucose levels in animal models, indicating a potential novel treatment.
TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE
Ibogaine, the main psychoactive compound in iboga, poses significant toxicological risks, with doses exceeding 25 mg/kg causing neurotoxic effects, and a safe use threshold is established, Ibogaine can prolong QT intervals and increase the risk of serious arrhythmias, leading to 27 fatalities, some in individuals without pre-existing heart conditions.
DRUG-DRUG/HERB-DRUG INTERACTION
Ibogaine's potential interactions with medications raise safety concerns. Combining it with prolonging QT interval drugs increases heartbeat risk, while liver enzyme-affecting medications like CYP2D6 can cause heightened side effects. It can also amplify acetylcholine-level-inducing drugs, requiring patients to inform healthcare providers about their medications.
CLINICALLY VALIDATED USES
Ibogaine, derived from Tabernanthe iboga's root bark, has potential for treating substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction, by promoting long-term abstinence and reducing depressive symptoms. Despite not yet being approved, it is used under medical supervision in informal settings.
REFERENCES
Bading-Taika, B., Akinyeke, T., Magana, A. A., Choi, J., Ouanesisouk, M., Torres, E. R. S., Lione, L. A., Maier, C. S., Bobef, G. S., Raber, J. S., Miranda, C. L., & Stevens, J. F. (2018). Phytochemical characterization of Tabernanthe iboga root bark and its effects on dysfunctional metabolism and cognitive performance in high-fat-fed C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Food Bioactives, 3, 111–123. https://doi.org/10.31665/JFB.2018.3154
F. Martins, M. L., Heydari, P., Li, W., Martínez-Chávez, A., Venekamp, N., Lebre, M. C., Lucas, L., Beijnen, J. H., & Schinkel, A. H. (2022). Drug Transporters ABCB1 (P-gp) and OATP, but not Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme CYP3A4, Affect the Pharmacokinetics of the Psychoactive Alkaloid Ibogaine and its Metabolites. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 855000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.855000
Koenig, X., & Hilber, K. (2015). The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: A Delicate Relation. Molecules, 20(2), 2208–2228. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20022208
Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (Ed.). (1989). Series of revisions of Apocynaceae XXIX, XXX and Tabernanthe: Uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. Agricultural Univ.
Litjens, R. P. W., & Brunt, T. M. (2016). How toxic is ibogaine? Clinical Toxicology, 54(4), 297–302. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2016.1138226
Luz, M., & Mash, D. C. (2021). Evaluating the toxicity and therapeutic potential of ibogaine in the treatment of chronic opioid abuse. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 17(9), 1019–1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425255.2021.1944099
Mačiulaitis, R., Kontrimavičiūtė, V., Bressolle, F., & Briedis, V. (2008). Ibogaine, an anti-addictive drug: Pharmacology and time to go further in development. A narrative review. Human & Experimental Toxicology, 27(3), 181–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/0960327107087802
Mash, D. C., Duque, L., Page, B., & Allen-Ferdinand, K. (2018). Ibogaine Detoxification Transitions Opioid and Cocaine Abusers Between Dependence and Abstinence: Clinical Observations and Treatment Outcomes. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 529. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00529
Pope, H. G. (1969). Tabernanthe iboga: An African narcotic plant of social importance. Economic Botany, 23(2), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860623
Singh, L., Joshi, T., Tewari, D., Echeverría, J., Mocan, A., Sah, A. N., Parvanov, E., Tzvetkov, N. T., Ma, Z. F., Lee, Y. Y., Poznański, P., Huminiecki, L., Sacharczuk, M., Jóźwik, A., Horbańczuk, J. O., Feder-Kubis, J., & Atanasov, A. G. (2020). Ethnopharmacological Applications Targeting Alcohol Abuse: Overview and Outlook. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 1593. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01593
Xu, Z. (2000). A Dose-Response Study of Ibogaine-Induced Neuropathology in the Rat Cerebellum. Toxicological Sciences, 57(1), 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/57.1.95
INFORMATION, DATA AND PICTURES ARE COPYRIGHT OF DPHM, SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, UCC.
