Poisoning, human, pyrrolizidine

Human Poisoning by Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Medicinal Uses of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Quinolizidine Alkaloids Biosynthesis... 

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids poison animals grazing on toxic wild plants and those fed contaminated feed, causing economic losses. They poison humans through deliberate consumption of certain foods and herbal medicines and through consumption of food contaminated by wild plants, such as via transport of the toxins by bees into honey. Analytical methods are required for different purposes - to detect the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, to quantify the total level of the toxins, or to measure the quantity of individual compounds. The task is made more challenging by the variety of PAs, their widespread nature and their different forms. Analytical methods are based on color reactions, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELlSAs), spectroscopy, and the full range of chromatographic techniques. A lack of reference standards and... 

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are poisonous to humans and cause losses in hvestock, especially grazing animals. Humans are exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloids through consumption of plants containing these toxins, contaminated staple products, herbal teas or medicines, and dietary supplements (Fu et al. 2004). Poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids is endemic in India, Jamaica and parts of Africa. Native American and Hispanic populations in western... 

There is no evidence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium rugosum (white snakeroot) but this plant also has poisonous properties, which are attributed to an unstable toxin called tremetol. Transfer from cow s milk to humans can produce a condition known as milk sickness, including trembles, weakness, nausea and vomiting, prostration, delirium, and even death. 

Outbreaks of pyrrolizidine poisonings in humans have occurred and have generally been associated with contaminated grain used for meal or bread. The pyrrolizidines have also been detected in comfrey teas (Roitman, 1981) commonly available at herbal medicine and health food stores. The possibility of the occurrence of pyrrolizidine residues in meat or milk of livestock consuming toxic plants exists, but no toxic responses in humans from this source has been reported (Peterson and Culvenor, 1983). 

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