Pyrrolizidine alkaloid

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids based on the structure of pyrrolizidine. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against insect herbivores. More than 660 PAs and PA N-oxides have been identified in over 6,000 plants, and about half of them exhibit hepatotoxicity.[1] They are found frequently in plants in the Boraginaceae, Compositae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae families; less frequently in the Convolvulaceae and Poaceae, and in at least one species in the Lamiaceae. It has been estimated that 3% of the world’s flowering plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids.[2] Honey can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids,[3][4], as can grains, milk, offal and eggs.[5] To date (2011), there is no international regulation of PAs in food, unlike those for herbs and medicines.[6][7]

Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic, that is, damaging to the liver.[8][9] PAs also cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease and liver cancer.[10] PAs are tumorigenic.[11] Disease associated with consumption of PAs is known as pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis.

Of concern is the health risk associated with the use of medicinal herbs that contain PAs, notably borage leaf, comfrey and coltsfoot in the West, and some Chinese medicinal herbs.[11]

Some ruminate animals, for example cattle, showed no change in liver enzyme activities or any clinical signs of poisoning when fed plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.[12] Yet Australian studies have demonstrated toxicity[13] Sheep, goats and cattle are much more resistant and tolerate much higher PA dosages, thought to be due to thorough detoxification via PA-destroying rumen microbes.[14] Males react more sensitively than females and fetuses and children.[15]

Contents

Ecology

Main article: Pyrrolizidine alkaloid sequestration

Many plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and in turn there are many insects which consume the plants and build up the alkaloids in their bodies.

Plants species containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Please note - list not complete.

Monocroataline is the main PA found in Crotalaria species.[21]

References

  1. ^ Radominska-Pandya, A (2010). "Invited Speakers". Drug Metabolism Reviews 42 (1): 1. doi:10.3109/03602532.2010.506057. PMID 20070243. 
  2. ^ Smith, L. W.; Culvenor, C. C. J. Plant sources of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J. Nat. Prod. 1981, 44, 129-15
  3. ^ Kempf M, Reinhard A, Beuerle T.,Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey and pollen-legal regulation of PA levels in food and animal feed required. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010 Jan;54(1):158-68.
  4. ^ Edgar, John A., Erhard Roeder, and Russell J. Molyneux, J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 50, No. 10, 2002, "Honey from Plants Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: A Potential Threat to Health"
  5. ^ PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOIDS IN FOOD http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/tr2.pdf
  6. ^ Coulombe, Roger A., Jr., "Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in foods" Advances in Food and Nutrition Research Volume 45, 2003, Pages 61-99
  7. ^ German Commission E monographs
  8. ^ "Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook: Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids". Bad Bug Book. United States Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/ucm071047.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  9. ^ Schoental, R.; Kelly, JS (1959 April). "Liver lesions in young rats suckled by mothers treated with the pyrrolizidine (Senecio) alkaloids, lasiocarpine and retrorsine.". The Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology 2 (77): 485–495. PMID 13642195. 
  10. ^ Schoental, R., "Toxicology and Carcinogenic Action of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids", Cancer Research No.28, pp.2237-2246, November 1968 [1]
  11. ^ a b c Fu, P.P., Yang, Y.C., Xia, Q., Chou, M.C., Cui, Y.Y., Lin G., "Pyrrolizidine alkaloids-tumorigenic components in Chinese herbal medicines and dietary supplements", Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002, pp. 198-211 [2]
  12. ^ Skaanild M.T., Friis C., Brimer L. "Interplant alkaloid variation and Senecio vernalis toxicity in cattle" Veterinary and Human Toxicology 43:3, 2001 (147-151)
  13. ^ Noble J.W., Crossley J., Hill B.D., Pierce R.J., McKenzie R.A., Debritz M., Morley A.A. "Pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis of cattle associated with Senecio lautus." Australian Veterinary Journal 71:7, 1994 (196-200)
  14. ^ Wiedenfeld H., Edgar J., "Toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids to humans and ruminants" Phytochemistry Reviews (1-15) 2010
  15. ^ ibid
  16. ^ Wiedenfeld, H; Andrade-Cetto, A (2001). "Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Ageratum houstonianum Mill.". Phytochemistry 57 (8): 1269–71. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00192-3. PMID 11454357. 
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h The MERCK Veterinary Manual, Table 5
  18. ^ Wood, Matthew. “The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants As Medicines.” Berkeley CA. North Atlantic Books. 1997.
  19. ^ Rizk A. M. Naturally Occurring Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA. 1990.
  20. ^ Yeong M.L., et al. (1990). "Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with comfrey ingestion". Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 5 (2): 211–214. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1990.tb01827.x. PMID 2103401. 
  21. ^ "Pharmacollogic Study of some plant species from the Brazilian Northeast. Vascconcellos S.M. et al, cited in "Medicinal Plants" Varela A Ibanez J (Eds), Nova Pub. 2009.

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