Alkaloids toxicity

Owing to the use of lupin seeds for feeding animals, much attention has been given to the selection of species free from the more toxic alkaloids of the group, particularly sparteine, to methods of removing alkaloids from the seeds, a subjeet on which there is an extensive literature and to methods of estimating alkaloids in lupins on which a critical review has been published by Brahm and Andresen. ... 

This tree occurs widely distributed in Africa and the bark is known under a variety of native names, e.g., sassy bark in West Africa, where it was formerly used as an ordeal poison in East and Central Africa it is said to have been an ingredient in arrow-poisons. The bark was first examined by GaUois and Hardy who isolated a toxic alkaloid, erythrophleine, which- was examined by Hamack and Zabrocki and later by Hamack, whose results differed from those of Gallois and Hardy and were generally confirmed by Power and Salway. Recently interest... 

Hofmeister has recorded the presence of a liquid toxic alkaloid, temuline, C HjjONj, in L. temulentum. ... 

Strychnine is a toxic alkaloid. It should only be handled with gloves and under no circumstances should it be ingested. 

Other ants, like the carpenter ant, are incapable of stinging, but that does not stop them from biting and then squirting formic acid into the wound. In this case, because the venom is not injected, a baking soda paste can quickly neutralize the venom and ease the pain. Fire ants, however, have toxic alkaloid venom. Regardless of whether the ant that bites or stings you has acidic or alkaline venom, however, one thing remains the same—it hurts ... 

It is noteworthy that gelsenicine is the most toxic alkaloid isolated so far from G. elegans. The LD50 value is 185 /ig/kg for mice on intraperitoneal injection. 

Ralphs, M.H., Manners, G.D., Blister, J.A., Gardner, D.R. and James, L.F. (1997). Toxic alkaloid concentration in tall larkspur species in the western United States, J. Range Manage., 50, 497-502. 

Lift and leave exposed to dry for a few hours. Store in thick paper sacks, tied or folded loosely at the neck. Potatoes must be stored in the dark to prevent them from turning green and developing high levels of solanine, a toxic alkaloid. Frost protection is essential. Ideal storage temperature is 41-50°F (5-10°C). 

The toxic alkaloids of poison dart frogs appear to depend on diet (Daly etal, 1994,2000 Caldwell, 1996). Details are described in Section 10.2.2. 

Similar to amphibians, the pitohui, a toxic bird in New Guinea, appears to derive its toxic alkaloids from its invertebrate diet (Dumbacher etal, 2000). 

Herbivores possibly regulate the amount eaten from toxic plants and thus avoid ill effects. Cattle cycle between consuming large and small amounts of tall larkspur, D. harbeyi. The principal toxic alkaloid in tall larkspur is methyl-lycaconitine (Pfister etcj/., 1997). 

Lupin seeds provide a protein- and lipid-rich diet that is almost equivalent to Soya. In order to avoid the toxic alkaloids, sweet lupin varieties have been selected by plant breeding. But in view of our results it is doubtful whether it is wise to destroy a natural resistance factor. It is thus not surprising that sweet... 

Moreover, it is known that toads belonging to the genus Melanophryniscus contain toxic alkaloids in their skin °°. From Melanophryniscus montevidensis, alkaloids of the pumiliotoxin (PTX) group and indolizidines were isolated. 

Strychnine and brucine are extremely toxic alkaloids. Strychnine binds itself to receptor sites in the spinal cord and accommodates glycine. Brucine is a dimethoxy form of strychnine, and is less toxic. 

One of the most known toxic alkaloid is strychnine. Vanderkop" and Sterner et aU are examples of those who have studied its toxicity, although it is practically rather evident. This alkaloid has been used as a strong rodenticide. It is also known for being dangerous to humans. One general characteristic of strychnine is its chemical stability. This is some kind of exception in the alkaloids, which are generally flexible heterogeneous compounds. In cases of... 

Atropine and scopolamine, the main toxic alkaloids of Datura stramonium and Datura ferox, were detected and quantified using HPLC-ESl-MS both in Datura seeds and in the gastric content of a man whose death was ascribed to a fatal heart attack [100]. 

Alkaloids and Phenols from Tobacco, Tomato, and Potato. Tobacco, tomato, and potato plants contain a number of toxic alkaloids. Probably the most widely studied Is nicotine. The Insecticidal properties of this and other tobacco alkaloids have been reviewed (72). A study of Nlcotlana showed that alkaloids are secreted by trlchomes In the seven species tested (73). Nicotine was the major alkaloid Identified In the trlchome secretion (7A). Anabaslne and nornlcotlne were also Identified In two species (75). Other ether soluable constitutents have also been Identified (76). Aphids were killed by contact with these secretions. Trlchome secretions from Nlcotlana also were... 

Liver toxin and animal liver carcinogen Monocrotaline. Toxic alkaloid present in certain Crotalaria plants... 

The pith of the sago palm, Cycas circinalis, is used as food in India after preparation to remove toxic alkaloidal constituents that occur in this genus and in the Zamiaceae. 

Aconites, commonly called wolfsbane or monkshood, are species of Aconitum (Ranunculaceae), valued ornamental herbaceous plants, grown for their showy blue or purple flowers, which are shaped like a monk s cowl. Their alkaloid content, mainly in the roots, makes them some of the most toxic plants commonly encountered. The dried roots of Aconitum napellus were once used, mainly externally for relief of pain, e.g. in rheumatism. The toxic alkaloids (0.3-1.5%) are complex diterpene-derived esters. Aconitine (Figure 6.124) is the principal component (about 30%) and is a diester of aconine with acetic and benzoic acids. Hydrolysis products benzoylaconine and aconine are also present in dried plant material. These alkaloids appear to behave as neurotoxins by acting on sodium channels. All species of Aconitum and Delphinium are potentially toxic to man and animals and must be treated with caution. 

A new toxic alkaloid, marinobufagin 3-suberoyl-L-glutamine ester (36a), has been isolated from the skin of the poison toad (Bufo americanus). The partial synthesis of the toxin from the ester (36b) was also reported.80... 

Some toxins in mushrooms are alkaloids that cause central nervous system effects of narcosis and convulsions. Hallucinations occur in subjects who have eaten mushrooms that contain psilocybin. The toxic alkaloid muscarine is present in some mushrooms. 

Several major types of animals that produce poisonous substances have been considered so far in this chapter. With the exception of birds, all classes of the animal kingdom contain members that produce toxic substances. It has now been demonstrated that there are even birds that are toxic. It is believed that such birds do not produce toxins but accumulate toxic alkaloids, including andromedotoxin, batrachotoxins, and cantheridin, from their diets and deposit these poisonous materials in their skin and feathers.19 Toxic animals not covered so far in this chapter are summarized here. 

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