Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans Using Harmine Extract from Peganum harmala L. in Mucopolysaccharidoses Researches

Abstract

Background: Harmine is used in the quantification of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) for the research on mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). Although this product is commercially available, researchers may consider preparing it under laboratory conditions when it is unavailable for various reasons. This research aims to extract harmine from Peganum harmala L. seeds and determine whether this extract can be used as a substitute for pure harmine in the quantification of GAGs and, consequently, in the research on MPS. Methods: P. harmala L. seeds were obtained from the plant and extracted using methanol. The harmine extract was then used in a spectrophotometric assay on controls, including patients known of having MPS and healthy subjects and patients suspected of having different types of MPS. Results: One milligram of harmine extract in 1 ml of ethanol is sufficient to produce the chromogen as that obtained by pure harmine. The chromogen exhibits a peak absorbance peak at 510 nm. The concordance between the two forms of harmine reaches 100%, either for abnormal values seen in GAGs from MPS patients or for normal values in those from healthy controls. Suspicion of having MPS was lifted in investigated patients. The harmine extracted from P. harmala L. seeds allowed for accurate and reproducible quantification of the GAGs. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that harmine extract can be used as a reagent for the quantification of GAGs in the research on MPS when pure harmine is unavailable in the same way as pure harmine.