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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Characterization of rumen bacterial pyrrolizidine alkaloid biotransformation in ruminants of various species.

An in vitro assay was used to examine biotransformation of toxic Senecio jacobaea pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in ovine, bovine, and caprine rumen contents. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography, and the rates of the alkaloid biotransformation were determined. The microbiological "Most Probable Numbers" technique was also used, in combination with thin-layer chromatography, to estimate relative numbers of rumen PA-biotransforming bacteria in the same samples. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were biotransformed at average rates of 2.9 micrograms/ml/h (bovine), 25.6 micrograms/ml/h (caprine), and 19.2 micrograms/ml/h (ovine). Estimates of numbers of PA-biotransforming bacteria were 1.1 x 10(7) bacteria/ml rumen contents (bovine), 2.4 x 10(7) bacteria/ml (caprine), and 3.0 x 10(7) bacteria/ml (ovine). This project is among the first to quantitate rates of PA biotransformation in rumen contents and to identify caprine and bovine, in addition to ovine, rumen PA-biotransforming activity, as well as to estimate the actual numbers of PA-biotransforming bacteria in rumen contents.

Animals↗
PubMed1963

LIVER DISEASE AND "NATURAL" HEPATOTOXINS.

The author discusses the role of "natural" hepatotoxic substances, derived from plants and fungi, in the etiology of liver disease, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. The hazards involved in even the occasional use of natural hepatotoxins and the difficulty in tracing the causative factors of chronic diseases are illustrated by the example of the pyrrolizidine (Senecio) alkaloids. The ingestion by rats of a single dose of these alkaloids can induce chronic liver lesions and even hepatoma which, however, may not become apparent for 1(1/2)-2(1/2) years.It is suggested that, however varied the chemical structures of the various hepatocarcinogens, they may all affect an essential cell constituent (e.g., a "mitotic hormone"), possibly of a steroidal nature, each substance interfering with a particular stage of its biosynthesis. "Natural" toxic factors may also be responsible for some other chronic diseases, especially those which are mainly encountered in, or restricted to, certain pastoral communities. In view of the greater susceptibility of the suckling young and the foetus than of adults to hepatotoxins, it would appear more promising to attempt to trace the causative agents of liver disease in children than in adults, in whom disease takes much longer to develop.

Agaricales↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semisynthetic derivatives of pyrrolizidine alkaloids of pharmacodynamic importance: a review.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids occur in more than 40 genera. Among these are two important genera, Senecio and Crotalaria, which have been responsible for heavy losses of livestock and poisoning in man due to their hepatotoxicity. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are also reported to possess a number of other biological activities. Attempts have been made to convert the pyrrolizidine alkaloids to new structures by synthetic modifications. One hundred and twenty semisynthetic compounds were developed and investigated pharmacologically. The range of activity exhibited was hypotensive, local anesthetic, ganglion blocking, neuromuscular blocking and antispasmodic. The five most promising compounds of these series were subjected to detailed pharmacological investigations.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1987

Poisoning of wildlife in southern Africa.

Wildlife can be poisoned by both plants and chemicals. The co-evolution of wildlife and toxic plants has resulted in an increased resistance to these substances as compared with domestic animals. Both groups of animals are however susceptible to chemical poisons. The results of experimental poisonings with Dichapetalum cymosum, Urginea sanguinea, Senecio retrorsus, Nicotiana glauca and prussic acid are discussed. The effect of poisoning of wildlife with Crotalaria spp. Geigeria spp, Lantana camara, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, carbamates, strychnine, heavy metals and other plants and chemicals is reviewed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

In vitro cytostatic activity of chromatographic fractions of extracts from some species of compositae.

Three species of the family of Compositae were extracted, partitioned and fractioned on silica gel column. The chromatographic fractions were investigated for cytostatic activity in vitro against human KB (human carcinoma of nasopharynx) cell line. The most interesting results were obtained with the first eight fractions of Senecio inaequidens DC, chloroformic extract, which showed marked cytostatic activity and appeared worthy of further investigations.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spasmolytic properties of pyrrolizidine alkaloids].

Acute toxicity, spasmolytic and hypotensive properties of the alkaloids senecionine, d-otocenine and floridanin isolated from Senecio Erraticum L. were studied. D-otocenine and floridanin elicited low toxicity, while senecionine and d-otosenine showed spasmolytic and floridanin predominantly hypotensive properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Clinical manifestations of tansy ragwort poisoning.

The clinical signs of tansy ragwort poisoning are variable and in 5 cases included diarrhea, tenesmus, ascites, bloody feces, icterus, paresis, CNS involvement, rectal prolapse, poor appetite and weight loss. It is thus apparent that the disease can be confused clinically with many others, and tansy ragwort poisoning should be considered in animals exhibiting ascites, diarrhea and rectal prolapse. Several cases of tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) poisoning occurring from 1969 to 1976 are reported to illustrate the numerous clinical pictures that might confront a practitioner. The disease is sporadic in this area. The poisonous principles in tansy ragwort are pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause gradual alteration and necrosis of liver cells with replacement by fibrous tissue. The development of signs in all of these cases could be attributed to failure of one or more liver functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Liver involvement in the course of phytotherapy].

The development of herbal medicine has follow in line with increased popular interest in ecology. Emphasis has been placed on the safety of natural herbs in contrast with the risks involved with "classical" medicines. But recent publications have revealed that several herbal medicines are toxic for the liver. For example, in France we have observed cases of hepatitis after ingestion of germander (Teucrium chamaedrys). Clinicians should also be aware of other well documented toxic effects of herbs used in popular medicines in Africa, Asia or Central America. The toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids was recognized over 40 years ago. More than 300 plant species, including Heliotropium, Crotalaria, Senecio and Symphytum, are implicated. In Africa or Central America, intoxication is sometimes endemic since these plants are often used for making tea. In Western countries, cases of herb-induced hepatitis have been observed after use of preparations containing Symphytum or Chinese herbs. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause obstruction of the hepatic venous system and can lead to hepatonecrosis. Clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, ascitis, hepatomegaly and raised serum transaminase levels. Prognosis is often poor with death rates of 20 to 30% being reported. Atractylis gummifera is another example of herbal toxicity. Twenty-six species of this plant are used for medicinal purposes or for chewing gum. Intoxication usually occurs in the spring and is related to chewing the roots of these plants. Severe hepatocellular lysis may occur less than 24 hours after ingestion. Clinical manifestations are related to the induced hypoglycemia and neurovegetative disorders or subsequent renal failure. These compounds have an inhibitor effect on the Krebs cycle and can lead to severe or fatal liver failure. Other similar cases of fatal liver accidents have been reported after ingesting Callilepis laureola, a herb used by the Zoulous in Natal for medicinal purposes or after use of products containing extracts of Teucrium chamaedrys, which was nevertheless authorized in France in 1986 for use in preparations for weight loss. These examples emphasize the importance of remembering that herbal medicine is not harmless. Faced with the extensive distribution of many herbal preparations and the risk of self-medication, consumers and clinicians alike should be increasingly vigilant with these potentially hepatotoxic products.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMed1996

[Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center].

AIM: To analyze the types, frequency and severity of plant poisonings in Switzerland over 29 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of severe poisonings with toxic plants reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC). Assessment of the causality, severity of symptoms and the types of plants involved. RESULTS: During the period under review the STIC registered 24 950 cases of contact with or ingestion of toxic plant material. In 99.4% of all cases the clinical course was either unknown, asymptomatic or associated with only minor symptoms (no hospitalization). Severe plant poisonings occurred in 152 cases. Detailed analysis was possible in 135 cases (23 children, 112 adults) including 5 lethal cases (all adults). The 24 plants involved produced the following severe symptoms: Atropa belladonna (42 cases): anticholinergic syndrome (42), acute psychosis (33), convulsions (2), coma (2). Heracleum mantegazzianum (18): severe photodermatitis (18). Datura stramonium (17): anticholinergic syndrome (17), psychosis (12), coma (2). Dieffenbachia (11): severe stomatitis (8), corneal lesions (3). Colchicum autumnala (10): diarrhea (10), liver necrosis (9), fatal multiorgan failure (2). Veratrum album (8): bradycardia ( < or = 40/min) (6), shock (5). Aconitum napellus (4): tachyarrhythmia (2), AV-block II/III (2). Aesculus hippocastanum (3): allergy (3), anaphylactic shock (2). Hyoscyamus niger (3): anticholinergic syndrome (3). Ricinus communis (3): diarrhea (3), toxic megacolon (1). Oenanthe crocata (2): convulsions (1), lethal coma (1). Taxus baccata (2): tachyarrhythmia (1), fatal asystole (1). Further single cases with severe poisonings were observed with Arum maculatum, Asarum europaeum, Chrysanthemum vulgare, Cyclamen persicum, Datura suaveolens, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Laburnum anagyroides, Lycopodium, Narcissus pseudonarcissus (lethal aspiration), Nerium oleander, Senecio vulgaris and Vicia faba. CONCLUSIONS: Potential and real intoxications with plant materials occurred in 7.2% of all cases registered at the STIC. However, among all plant cases only 0.6% were severe intoxications requiring hospitalization. Although severe plant intoxications are rare events, a small number of specific plants appear to be mainly responsible for continued serious plant poisoning in Switzerland. The present study has identified the plants with the highest toxicological risks and provides a data base for more rational prevention, diagnosis and treatment of plant poisoning cases in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Dietary selenium status and pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolism in vitro by rat liver microsomes.

The effect of dietary selenium status on the metabolism of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (monocrotaline, and mixed pyrrolizidine alkaloid from Senecio jacobaea) by rat liver microsomes in vitro was studied. In two experiments, there was no difference in the rate of metabolism of alkaloid by microsomes from selenium deficient or selenium supplemented rats. Selenium deficiency was confirmed by measurement of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase. Administration of excess selenium by i.p. injection did not affect alkaloid metabolism. It was concluded that dietary selenium status was unlikely to influence the metabolism of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Herb use and necrodegenerative hepatitis.

Twelve patients with herbally-induced hepatitis are described and the clinicopathological features of their illness, which seem to present a recognisable spectrum, are discussed. The nature and the severity of the histological changes seem to correlate with the clinical manifestations and the immediate prognosis. Laboratory tests, especially liver function studies, are of limited diagnostic and prognostic value. The plants which contain the responsible toxins, have been identified in this country and in other parts of Southern Africa. A short list is provided of, apparently, the commonest medicinal plants in Lesotho. Many more toxic plants, however, are used in food and in diverse traditional medications. Senecio species are the principal source of hepatotoxic alkoloids, especially pyrrolizidines. Experimental studies ann evidence of similar disorders in animals, have thrown some light on the pathogenic mechanisms of these hepatotoxic and possibly hepatocarcinogenic agents. The disease in humans probably results from a combination of factors.

Adolescent↗