Synonym: wild rue, Syrian rue, African rue, esfand, harmel
Active compounds include a large number of alkaloids:
(1) peganines (pyrroloindole alkaloids)
(2) peganumals (thiazole derivatives)
(3) pegaharmines (beta-carboline alkaloids): harmalol, harmaline, harmine
(4) quinazoline alkaloids: vasicine, vasicinone
Uses:
(1) traditional medicine in the Middle East and Asia, particularly Iran (seeds, bark, root)
(2) recreational drug use related to hallucinogenic activity and euphoria
(3) production of reddish dye from the seeds
Effects:
(1) vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effect
(2) decreased heart rate associated with anticholinesterase activity
(3) angiogenic inhibitory effect
(4) analgesia
(5) antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibition)
(6) anti-protozoal and anti-bacterial activity
(7) abortificient
(8) emetic agent
(9) anti-diabetic
(10) antineoplastic
It can be toxic to livestock, so is viewed as a noxious weed.
Overdose in humans may be associated with:
(1) hypotension, bradycardia, and vomiting
(2) agitation, diffuse tremors, seizures and hypothermia
(3) hypertensive crisis if exposed to tyramine (related to MAO inhibitor)
