Bracken fern carcinogen ptaquiloside

A review on the isolation, chemistry, and biochemistry of the bracken fern (Pte-ridium aquilinum) carcinogen ptaquiloside (P) has been published (527). This fem and others contain the pterosins that were summarized previously (7). No new examples were reported in the interim. 

Ptaquiloside is an instable glucoside present in the widely distributed bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Under alkaline conditions, it is converted in a conjugated diene-one which is readily added to various nucleophilic compounds. Therefore, it has a carcinogenic potency [9]. 

A number of sesquiterpenes have pronounced biological activity both in the plants themselves and toward other organisms. Illudane sesquiterpenes such as ptaquiloside (24) from bracken and several other ferns are responsible for the carcinogenic activity of these plants, including some used as food products (Fig. 21.10) (Saito et al., 1990). 

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