Peganum harmala

Powdered syrian rue seeds act as a RIMA at doses of 2-5g. Syrian rue seeds contain several different harmala alkaloids at slightly varying percentages. Only some are monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. In one study, total harmala alkaloids were at least 5.9% of dried weight.^[2][3][4] Seed extracts were potent reversible and competitive inhibitors of MAO-A but poor inhibitors of MAO-B.^[5]

Total harmala alkaloids were at least 5.9% of dried weight, in one study.^[4]

Dangerous interactions

Cholinergics

Cholinergic substances combined with Peganum harmala can cause a cholinergic crisis because the plant contains several acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs):

• Desoxypeganine^[10]
• Harmaline^[11]
• Harmine^[11]
• Harmol^[11]
• Vasicine (possible)^[12]

Drug use in pregnancy

Peganum harmala can induce miscarriage. It has traditionally been used as an abortifacient agent in Morocco, North Africa, and the Middle East.^[13] It is believed that quinazoline alkaloids such as vasicine and vasicinone are responsible for the abortifacient activity of the plant.^[14]

In the United States, it is considered an invasive, noxious weed in the following states: Arizona (prohibited noxious weed), California (A listed noxious weed), Colorado (A listed noxious weed), Nevada (noxious weed), New Mexico (class B noxious weed), and Oregon (A designated weed, under quarantine). This may require land owners to exterminate infestations on their land or be fined, and allows access to government grants to buy herbicides to do so. It is illegal to sell plants of this species in the states listed above.^{[15][16][17][18]} Since 2005, with caveats, the cultivation, possession or sale of this species is also illegal in Louisiana.^{[citation needed]}

Since 2005, the possession of the seeds, the plant itself, and the alkaloids harmine and harmaline, which it contains, is illegal in France.^[19] In Finland the plant is officially listed as a medicinal plant, which means one would require a doctors prescription to acquire it. In Canada, harmaline is illegal.^[20] In Australia, harmala alkaloids are illegal.^{[citation needed]}

• Harmala alkaloids
• Soma (Haoma)
• Biological sources

• Peganum harmala (Wikipedia)
• Syrian rue (Erowid)
• Syrian rue (Drugs.com)
• Syrian rue (Drugs-Forum)