Alpha-hederin

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is teratogenic in rats, and fetal skeletal defects are prominent. Embryofetal zinc deficiency secondary to changes induced by substances in maternal Zn metabolism is a well-established mechanism for developmental toxicity (29-31). Several substances, including urethane and alpha-hederin cause similar malformations as Zn deficiency in rodents. A number of mechanistic studies have shown that these substances act via an acute-phase reaction induction of metallothionein in the maternal liver which binds systemically available Zn in the pregnant animal. This results in a systemic redistribution of Zn. As a consequence the substances produce a transient but developmentally adverse Zn deficiency in the... 

Daston, G.P., G.J. Overmann, D. Baines, M.W. Taubeneck, L.D. Lehman-McKeeman, J.M. Rogers, and C.L. Keen. 1994. Altered Zn status by alpha-hederin in the pregnant rat and its relationship to adverse developmental outcome. Reprod. Toxicol. 8(l) 15-24. 

Shi, J.Z. and Liu, G.T. (1996) Effect of alpha-hederin and sapindoside B on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 in mice. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 17, 264. 

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