Harmal
913844
225171234
2008-07-12T07:29:25Z
Barticus88
1396480
[[Persian]]→[[Persian people]] in the holy name of [[WP:DPL|WikiProject Disambiguation]] using [[WP:POP|Popups]]
{{About|a plant|a town in Lebanon|Hermel}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Harmal
| image = Peganum harmala1.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Harmal (''Peganum harmala'') flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Nitrariaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Peganum]]''
| species = '''''P. harmala'''''
| binomial = ''Peganum harmala''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]<ref> {{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 }}</ref>
}}
[[Image:Peganum harmala0.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Harmal seed capsules]]
[[Image:Peganum-harmala-seeds.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Peganum harmala'' seeds]]
'''Harmal''' (''Peganum harmala'') is a [[plant]] of the [[family (biology)|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,<ref name="cdfa">{{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 }}</ref> but normally it is found to be about 0.3 m tall.<ref name="nevada"/> 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.<ref name="nevada"/>
''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.<ref name="nevada"/> Since then it has spread invasively to [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Montana]], [[Nevada]], [[Oregon]], [[Texas]] and [[Washington]].<ref>{{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]] }}</ref> "Because it is
so drought tolerant, African rue can displace the
native saltbushes and grasses growing in the salt-desert shrub lands of the Western U.S."<ref name="nevada"/>
'''Common names:'''<ref>{{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) }}</ref>
*African rue
*Esphand
*Harmal peganum
*Harmal shrub
*Harmel
*Isband
*Ozallaik
*Peganum
*Steppenraute
*Syrian rue
*Yüzerlik, üzerlik (Turkish)
==Traditional uses==
[[Image:Peganum-harmala-incense.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Peganum harmala'' seeds heated over a gas flame as [[incense]] ]]
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]]."
[[Image:Peganum-harmala-fruit.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Peganum harmala'' fruit]]
In Iran, dried capsules (known in [[Persian language|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 people|Persian]] practice dates to pre-Islamic, [[Zoroastrian]] times.
[[Image:Peganum-harmala-esphand-4oz.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Peganum harmala'' seeds as sold in a Middle Eastern foods grocery store]]
In [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], the seeds of [[Harmal|Aspand]] (''Peganum harmala'', also called Esfand, Espand, Esphand, and Harmal) are onto red hot charcoal [[charcoal]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 [[phytoindole]]s including [[Dimethyltryptamine|DMT]] with β-[[carbolines]]. Syrian Rue however has distinct aspects from caapi and a unique entheogenic signature.
A red dye, "Turkey Red,"<ref name="nevada">
{{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=
}}
</ref> from the seeds is often used in Western Asia to dye carpets.<ref name="ibiblio">
{{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=
}}
</ref> It is also used to dye [[wool]].<ref name="nevada"/> When the seeds are extracted with water, a yellow [[fluorescent]] dye is obtained.<ref name="mordants">
{{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=
}}
</ref> If they are extracted with alcohol, a red dye is obtained.<ref name="mordants"/> The stems, roots and seeds can be used to make inks, stains and tattoos.<ref>
{{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=
}}
</ref>
==Medicinal uses==
''Peganum harmala'' is used as an [[analgesic]] and [[antiinflammatory]] agent.<ref> {{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 }}</ref>
In [[Yemen]] it was used to treat [[depression (mood)|depression]],<ref>
{{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=
}}
</ref> 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 [[monoamine oxidase inhibitor|inhibitor]] of [[MAO]]-A ([[RIMA]]),"<ref>[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]</ref> in other words, that it is an [[antidepressant]].
[[Image:Peganum-harmala-nps.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Peganum harmala'']]
Smoke from the seeds kills [[algae]], [[bacteria]], [[intestinal parasite]]s and [[mold]]s.<ref name="ibiblio" />''Peganum harmala'' has "antibacterial activity."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> It is fairly effective against [[protozoan]]s including [[malaria]]. It is given in a [[decoction]] for [[laryngitis]].<ref name="alpine">{{cite web|url=http://www.sdpi.org/alpine%20medicianl%20herbs/39.htm |title=Peganum harmala |accessdate=2008-02-02 |date=2004 }}</ref>
The "root is applied to kill [[lice]]" and when burned, the seeds kill insects.<ref name="alpine" /> It also inhibits the reproduction of the ''[[Tribolium castaneum]]'' beetle.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17493805?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
|title=Insecticidal effects of extracts of seven plant sp...[Bioresour Technol. 2008] - PubMed Result
|publisher=www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
|accessdate=2008-04-11
|last=
|first=
}}
</ref>
It is also used as an [[anthelmintic]] (to expel parasitic worms).<ref name="alpine" /> Reportedly the [[ancient Greeks]] used powdered ''Peganum harmala'' seeds to get rid of [[tapeworms]] and to treat recurring fevers (possibly malaria).<ref>
{{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=
}}
</ref>
''Peganum harmala'' is an [[abortifacient]],<ref name="nook">[http://www.thenook.org/archives/tek/06332ott.html www.thenook.org]</ref> and, in large quantities, it can reduce [[spermatogenesis]] and male fertility in rats.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17627267?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Histo-functional effects of Peganum harmala on male rat's spermatogenesis and fertility.]</ref>
===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]] [[topoisomerase]]s and interfere with DNA synthesis."<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17622795?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum ]</ref><ref>DH334, a beta-carboline anti-cancer drug, inhibits the CDK activity of budding yeast. Cancer Biol Ther. 2007 Aug;6(8):1193-9. Epub 2007 May 4. PMID: 17622795 [[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]]</ref>
''Peganum harmala'' has [[antioxidant]] and [[antimutagenic]] properties.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17545209?ordinalpos=5&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum ]</ref>
''Peganum harmala'' as well as harmine exhibit [[cytotoxicity]] with regards to [[HL60]] and [[K562 cell|K562]] [[leukemia]] cell lines.<ref> {{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 }}</ref> Ground ''Peganum harmala'' seeds have been used occasionally to treat [[skin cancer]] and subcutaneous cancers traditionally in [[Morocco]].<ref name="Therapie">{{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=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10709452?dopt=Abstract|format=|accessdate=2008-02-01 }}</ref> Seed extracts also show effectiveness against various [[tumor cell]] lines both ''[[in vitro]]'' and ''[[in vivo]]''.<ref name="Therapie" />
==Alkaloids==
[[Image:Harmaline.png|thumb|right|175px|Harmaline, one of the alkaloids of ''Peganum harmala'']]
The active [[alkaloid]]s of Harmal [[seed]]s are the [[MAOI]]-A (monoamine oxidase inhibitor A) compounds:
*[[Harmane]], 0.16%<ref name="partial">{{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 }}</ref>
*[[Harmine]], 1.84%<ref name="partial" />
:The coatings of the seeds are said to contain large amounts of harmine.<ref name="cdfa"/>
*[[Harmaline]], 0.25%<ref name="partial" />
*[[Harmalol]], 3.90%<ref name="partial" />
*[[Tetrahydroharmine]],
:Total [[harmala alkaloid]]s are at least 5.9% per dried weight, in this case.
*[[Vasicine]]<ref name="nook">.</ref>
*[[Vasicinone]]<ref name="nook">.</ref>
[[Image:Vasicine.png|thumb|right|150px|Vasicine]]
The stems of the plant contain about 0.36% alkaloids, the leaves about 0.52%,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and the roots up to 2.5%.<ref>
{{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=
}}
</ref>
Harmine and Harmaline are reversible inhibitors of MAO-A ([[RIMA]]).<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
==Further reading==
*Antimicrobial Agents From Higher Plants. Antimicrobial Agents From Peganum harmala Seeds A. Al-Shamma, S. Drake, D. L. Flynn, L. A. Mitscher, Y. H. Park, G. S. R. Rao, A. Simpson, J. K. Swayze, T. Veysoglu, and S. T.-S. Wu. J. Nat. Prod.; 1981; 44(6) pp 745 - 747. {{doi|10.1021/np50018a025}}
{{Commons|Peganum harmala}}
==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==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Anthelmintics]]
[[Category:Antidepressants]]
[[Category:Entheogens]]
[[Category:Herbal and fungal hallucinogens]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Monoamine oxidase inhibitors]]
[[Category:Plant toxin insecticides]]
[[Category:Psychedelic tryptamine carriers]]
[[Category:Sapindales]]
[[Category:Ayahuasca]]
[[ar:حرمل]]
[[de:Steppenraute]]
[[es:Peganum harmala]]
[[fa:اسپند]]
[[kk:Адыраспан]]
[[pl:Poganek rutowaty]]
[[ru:Гармала]]
[[tg:Испанд]]