Ibogaine – the substance for treatment of toxicomania. Neurochemical and pharmacological action

Saulius Kazlauskas, Violeta Kontrimavičiūtė, Audrius Sveikata¹

Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, ¹Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania

Key words: Ibogaine, psychical dependence, drugs, anti-addictive properties, oneirophrenia.

Summary. The review of scientific literature, concerning the indol alkaloid Ibogaine, which is extracted from the bush Tabernanthe Iboga, is presented in this article. Used as a stimulating factor for hundred of years in non-traditional medicine, this alkaloid could be important for modern pharmacology because of potential anti-addictive properties. The mechanism of action of this alkaloid is closely related to different neurotransmitting systems. Studies with animals allow concluding that Ibogaine or medicines based on this alkaloid can be used for treatment of drug dependencies.

Correspondence to S. Kazlauskas, Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, A. Mickevičiaus 9, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: saulius_kazlauskas@gama.vtu.lt

Received 9 June 2003, accepted 30 October 2003