Harmal

Taxobox
name = Harmal

---

image_caption = Harmal ("Peganum harmala") flower
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Sapindales
familia = Nitrariaceae
genus = "Peganum"
species = "P. harmala"
binomial = "Peganum harmala"
binomial_authority = L. [ cite web|url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27098 |title=Peganum harmala information from NPGS/GRIN |accessdate=2008-02-17 ]

Harmal ("Peganum harmala") is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae, native from the eastern Mediterranean region east to India. It is also known as Syrian Rue, an innacurate name, since it is not in the rue ("Ruta", Rutaceae) family.

It is a perennial plant which can grow to about 0.8 m tall,cite web|url=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedinfo/peganum.htm |title=Peganum genus |accessdate=2008-02-02 |publisher=www.cdfa.ca.gov ] but normally it is found to be about 0.3 m tall. The roots of the plant can reach a depth of up to 6.1 m, if the soil it is growing in is very dry.

"Peganum harmala" was first planted in the United States in 1928 in the state of New Mexico by a farmer wanting to manufacture the dye "Turkish Red" from its seeds. Since then it has spread invasively to Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington. [cite web|url=http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEHA |title=PLANTS Profile for Peganum harmala (harmal peganum) / USDA PLANTS |accessdate=2008-01-18 |date=2008-01-17 |publisher=USDA ] "Because it isso drought tolerant, African rue can displace thenative saltbushes and grasses growing in the salt-desert shrub lands of the Western U.S."

Common names: [cite web|url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/show_species_details.php?record_id=715140 |title=Catalogue of Life : 2007 Annual Checklist : Peganum harmala L. |accessdate=2008-01-18 |date=2007-01-18 |publisher=Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) ]
*African rue
*Esphand
*Harmal peganum
*Harmal shrub
*Harmel
*Isband
*Ozallaik
*Peganum
*Steppenraute
*Syrian rue
*Yüzerlik, üzerlik (Turkish)

Traditional uses

In Turkey "Peganum harmala" is called yüzerlik or üzerlik. Dried capsules from this plant are strung and hung in homes or vehicles to protect against "the evil eye."

In Iran, dried capsules (known in Persian as اسپند "espænd" or اسفنددانه "esfænd-dāneh") - mixed with other ingredients - are burnt so as to produce a light, distinctly scented smoke or incense. It is used as an air as well as mind purifier - perhaps linked to its entheogenic properties - and mostly as a charm against "the evil eye". This Persian practice dates to pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian times.

In Iran, Iraq, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the seeds of Aspand ("Peganum harmala", also called Esfand, Espand, Esphand, and Harmal) are onto red hot charcoal charcoal, [cite web|url=http://www.luckymojo.com/aspand.html |title=Aspand - Espand - Esfand - Esphand Against the Evil Eye in Zoroastrian Magic |accessdate=2008-01-19 ] where they explode with little popping noises, releasing a fragrant smoke that is wafted around the head of those afflicted by or exposed to the gaze of strangers. As this is done, an ancient Zoroastrian prayer is recited against "Bla Band". This prayer is said by Muslims as well as by Zoroastrians in the region where Aspand is utilized against the evil eye. Some sources say that the popping of the seeds relates to the breaking of the curse or the popping of the evil eye itself (although this is not consistent with the idea that a particular person is casting the spell, since no one's eyes are expected to explode as a result of this ritual). In Iran at least, this ritual is sometimes performed in traditional restaurants, where customers are exposed to the eyes of strangers. Dried aspand capsules are also used for protection against the evil eye in parts of Turkey.

It has been used as an entheogen in the Middle East, and in modern Western culture, it is often used as an analogue of "Banisteriopsis caapi" to create an "ad hoc" Ayahuasca, the South American mixture of phytoindoles including DMT with β-carbolines. Syrian Rue however has distinct aspects from caapi and a unique entheogenic signature.

A red dye, "Turkey Red,"cite web
url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:sfvO8us46s8J:www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/nr/2001/FS0145.pdf+%22peganum+harmala%22+%22red+dye%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=40&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
title=RECOGNITION AND CONTROL OF AFRICAN RUE IN NEVADA
publisher=72.14.253.104
accessdate=2008-04-19
last=
first=] from the seeds is often used in Western Asia to dye carpets.cite web
url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Peganum+harmala
title=Peganum harmala
publisher=www.ibiblio.org
accessdate=2008-03-18
last=
first=] It is also used to dye wool. When the seeds are extracted with water, a yellow fluorescent dye is obtained.cite web
url=http://www.fortlewis.edu/anthro/ethnobotany/Dbase/images/Documents/SW_DYEPLANTS_2.htm
title=Mordants
publisher=www.fortlewis.edu
accessdate=2008-04-19
last=
first=] If they are extracted with alcohol, a red dye is obtained. The stems, roots and seeds can be used to make inks, stains and tattoos. [cite web
url=http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.UPWTA.5_608&pgs=&cookieSet=1
title=Aluka - Entry for Peganum harmala Linn. [family ZYGOPHYLLACEAE]
publisher=www.aluka.org
accessdate=2008-03-18
last=
first=]

Medicinal uses

"Peganum harmala" is used as an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent. [ cite journal|title=Antinociceptive effects of "Peganum harmala" L. alkaloid extract on mouse formalin test|journal=J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci|date=19 February 2004|first=Hamid Reza|last=Monsef|coauthors=Ali Ghobadi, Mehrdad Iranshahi, Mohammad Abdollahi|volume=7|issue=1|pages=65–69|id= |url=http://www.ualberta.ca/~csps/JPPS7(1)/M.Abdolahi/peganum.pdf|format=|accessdate=2008-02-02 ]

In Yemen it was used to treat depression, [cite web
url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/2231000/Moses-the-Shaman
title=Moses the Shaman
publisher=www.scribd.com
accessdate=2008-03-17
last=
first=] and it has been established in the laboratory that harmaline (an active ingredient in "Peganum harmala" is a central nervous system stimulant and a "reversible inhibitor of MAO-A (RIMA)," [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=2c2K-epbCDQC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=harmaline+antidepressant&source=web&ots=IrcpVr4R_H&sig=5FvlysKKEN7Hb4_YjfgoZM8rsTg Edward J. Massaro, Handbook of Neurotoxicology] ] in other words, that it is an antidepressant.

Smoke from the seeds kills algae, bacteria, intestinal parasites and molds."Peganum harmala" has "antibacterial activity." [cite journal|title=Antibacterial activity of Peganum harmala|journal=Fitoterapia|date=26 March 1999|first=D.|last=Prashanth|coauthors=S. John|volume=70|issue=4|pages=438–439|doi= 10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00065-9|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VSC-3Y9HHY8-P&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=aa590588ea25645b5368168a6ad4fcb8|format=|accessdate=2008-02-02 ] It is fairly effective against protozoans including malaria. It is given in a decoction for laryngitis.cite web|url=http://www.sdpi.org/alpine%20medicianl%20herbs/39.htm |title=Peganum harmala |accessdate=2008-02-02 |date=2004 ]

The "root is applied to kill lice" and when burned, the seeds kill insects. It also inhibits the reproduction of the "Tribolium castaneum" beetle. [cite journal |author=Jbilou R, Amri H, Bouayad N, Ghailani N, Ennabili A, Sayah F |title=Insecticidal effects of extracts of seven plant species on larval development, alpha-amylase activity and offspring production of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) |journal=Bioresour. Technol. |volume=99 |issue=5 |pages=959–64 |year=2008 |month=Mar |pmid=17493805 |doi=10.1016/j.biortech.2007.03.017 |url=]

It is also used as an anthelmintic (to expel parasitic worms). Reportedly the ancient Greeks used powdered "Peganum harmala" seeds to get rid of tapeworms and to treat recurring fevers (possibly malaria). [cite web
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Hlh9o7XhesEC&pg=PA434&lpg=PA434&dq=%22peganum+harmala%22+traditional+uses&source=web&ots=H0zkiHevtm&sig=mPuGsjOP_HbReZxDdMVu2LdiqR4&hl=en#PPA435,M1
title=Herbs Cultivation and Medicinal Uses - Google Book Search
publisher=books.google.com
accessdate=2008-04-18
last=
first=]

"Peganum harmala" is an abortifacient, [http://www.thenook.org/archives/tek/06332ott.html www.thenook.org] ] and, in large quantities, it can reduce spermatogenesis and male fertility in rats. [cite journal |author=El-Dwairi QA, Banihani SM |title=Histo-functional effects of Peganum harmala on male rat's spermatogenesis and fertility |journal=Neuro Endocrinol. Lett. |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=305–10 |year=2007 |month=Jun |pmid=17627267 |doi= |url=]

Anticancer

"The beta-carboline alkaloids present in medicinal plants, such as Peganum harmala and "Eurycoma longifolia", have recently drawn attention due to their antitumor activities. Further mechanistic studies indicate that beta-carboline derivatives inhibit DNA topoisomerases and interfere with DNA synthesis." [cite journal |author=Li Y, Liang F, Jiang W, "et al" |title=DH334, a beta-carboline anti-cancer drug, inhibits the CDK activity of budding yeast |journal=Cancer Biol. Ther. |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=1193–9 |year=2007 |month=Aug |pmid=17622795 |doi= |url=http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/cbt/abstract.php?id=4382]

"Peganum harmala" has antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. [cite journal |author=Moura DJ, Richter MF, Boeira JM, Pêgas Henriques JA, Saffi J |title=Antioxidant properties of beta-carboline alkaloids are related to their antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activities |journal=Mutagenesis |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=293–302 |year=2007 |month=Jul |pmid=17545209 |doi=10.1093/mutage/gem016 |url=]

"Peganum harmala" as well as harmine exhibit cytotoxicity with regards to HL60 and K562 leukemia cell lines. [ cite journal|title=Xanthomicrol is the main cytotoxic component of Dracocephalum kotschyii and a potential anti-cancer agent|journal=Phytochemistry |date=|first=|last=|coauthors=|volume=66|issue=|pages=1581|id= |doi= 10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.04.035|format=|accessdate=2008-01-12|author=Jahaniani, F ] Ground "Peganum harmala" seeds have been used occasionally to treat skin cancer and subcutaneous cancers traditionally in Morocco.cite journal|title=Antitumour principles from Peganum harmala seeds|journal=Thérapie|date=1999 November-December|first=F|last=Lamchouri|coauthors=Settaf A, Cherrah Y, Zemzami M, Lyoussi B, Zaid A, Atif N, Hassar M |volume=54|issue=6|pages=753–8|pmid=10709452 |url= ] Seed extracts also show effectiveness against various tumor cell lines both "in vitro" and "in vivo".

Alkaloids

The active alkaloids of Harmal seeds are the MAOI-A (monoamine oxidase inhibitor A) compounds:

*Harmane, 0.16%cite journal|title=Partial least squares-based multivariate spectral calibration method for simultaneous determination of beta-carboline derivatives in Peganum harmala seed extracts|journal=Analytica Chimica Acta|date=|first=|last=|coauthors=|volume=575|issue=|pages=290|id= |doi= 10.1016/j.aca.2006.05.093|format=|accessdate=2008-01-12|author=Hemmateenejad, B ]

*Harmine, 1.84% :The coatings of the seeds are said to contain large amounts of harmine.
*Harmaline, 0.25%
*Harmalol, 3.90%
*Tetrahydroharmine,:Total harmala alkaloids are at least 5.9% per dried weight, in this case.
*Vasicine.]
*Vasicinone.] The stems of the plant contain about 0.36% alkaloids, the leaves about 0.52%, [cite web|url=http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim402fr.htm |title=Peganum harmala L. (PIM 402F, French) |accessdate=2008-01-19 |last=Hammiche |first=V. |coauthors=R. Merad |date=November 1997 |publisher=International Programme on Chemical Safety |language=French ] and the roots up to 2.5%. [cite web
url=http://www.giftpflanzen.com/peganum_harmala.html
title=Steppenraute (Peganum harmala) im GIFTPFLANZEN.COMpendium - www.giftpflanzen.com
publisher=www.giftpflanzen.com
accessdate=2008-04-18
last=
first=]

Harmine and Harmaline are reversible inhibitors of MAO-A (RIMA). [cite book | last = Massaro | first = Edward J. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Handbook of Neurotoxicology | publisher = Humana Press | date = 2002 | location = | pages = 237 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=2c2K-epbCDQC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=harmaline+antidepressant&source=web&ots=IrcpVr4R_H&sig=5FvlysKKEN7Hb4_YjfgoZM8rsTg | doi = | id = | isbn = 0896037967 ]

Further reading

*cite journal |author=Al-Shamma A, Drake S, Flynn DL, "et al" |title=Antimicrobial agents from higher plants. Antimicrobial agents from Peganum harmala seeds |journal=J. Nat. Prod. |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=745–7 |year=1981 |pmid=7334386 |doi=10.1021/np50018a025 |url=

External links

* [http://www.erowid.org/plants/syrian_rue/syrian_rue.shtml Erowid Syrian Rue Vault]
* [http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim402fr.htm Peganum Harmala -- Detailed Info (French)]
* [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Peganum+harmala Peganum harmala (Plants for a Future Database)]
* [http://www.luckymojo.com/aspand.html Aspand ("Peganum harmala" Seeds Used in Religious Rite)]
* [http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=706 "Peganum harmala" List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's Databases)]
* [http://193.43.36.103/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Gbase/new_species/peghar.htm "Peganum harmala" (FAO -- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)]

References