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Fan Y, Wang M, Zhang Q, Ouyang S, Mao W, Xu C, Wang M, Long C. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine Cynoglossum amabile: a review. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1325283. [PMID: 38655180 PMCID: PMC11035817 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1325283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cynoglossum amabile, a member of the Boraginaceae family, is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine known as Daotihu. Despite several studies confirming the presence of bioactive pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as amabiline, ambelline, echinatine, europine, and others in C. amabile, there has been no comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology thus far. This review was conducted by thoroughly examining the literature and analyzing network databases. It covers various aspects of C. amabile, including botanical characteristics, geographical distribution, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and clinical applications. The results have shown that C. amabile has been traditionally used for medicinal, edible, and ornamental purposes in China for many centuries. The whole plant, root, and leaf of C. amabile are used by different ethnic groups, such as Lisu, Bai, Naxi, Yi, Jinuo, and Han, to treat malaria, hepatitis, dysentery, leucorrhea, tuberculosis cough, fracture, joint dislocation, trauma bleeding, and skin carbuncle abscess. A total of 47 chemical components, including alkaloids (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs), sterols, organic acids, and saccharides, were isolated from C. amabile. Pharmacological studies show that the chemical extracts of C. amabile possess various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, cardiovascular effects, ganglionic action, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. However, it is important to note that C. amabile exhibits hepatotoxicity, with its toxicity being linked to its primary PAs components. Although preliminary studies suggest potential applications in the treatment of prostate diseases and alopecia, further research is needed to validate these clinical uses. Our review highlights the traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, and clinical applications of C. amabile. It emphasizes the essential guiding role of the indigenous medicinal knowledge system in developing new drugs. Previous studies have shown that the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of C. amabile are significantly related to its traditional medicinal practices. Cynoglossum amabile has excellent market potential and can be further analyzed in terms of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, which are critical for its clinical drug safety, quality evaluation, and resource development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiao Fan
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Shuqi Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Mao
- Xianggelila Bureau of Forestry and Grassland, Beijing, China
| | - Congli Xu
- Baoshan Administrative of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Baoshan, China
| | - Min Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
- BTBU-TANGYI Innovation Center for the Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Bioengineering Raw Materials, Beijing, China
| | - Chunlin Long
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Institute of National Security Studies, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
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Stegelmeier BL, Colegate SM, Brown AW. Dehydropyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity, Cytotoxicity, and Carcinogenicity. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E356. [PMID: 27916846 PMCID: PMC5198550 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8120356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid (DHPA)-producing plants have a worldwide distribution amongst flowering plants and commonly cause poisoning of livestock, wildlife, and humans. Previous work has produced considerable understanding of DHPA metabolism, toxicity, species susceptibility, conditions, and routes of exposure, and pathogenesis of acute poisoning. Intoxication is generally caused by contaminated grains, feed, flour, and breads that result in acute, high-dose, short-duration poisoning. Acute poisoning produces hepatic necrosis that is usually confirmed histologically, epidemiologically, and chemically. Less is known about chronic poisoning that may result when plant populations are sporadic, used as tisanes or herbal preparations, or when DHPAs contaminate milk, honey, pollen, or other animal-derived products. Such subclinical exposures may contribute to the development of chronic disease in humans or may be cumulative and probably slowly progress until liver failure. Recent work using rodent models suggest increased neoplastic incidence even with very low DHPA doses of short durations. These concerns have moved some governments to prohibit or limit human exposure to DHPAs. The purpose of this review is to summarize some recent DHPA research, including in vitro and in vivo DHPA toxicity and carcinogenicity reports, and the implications of these findings with respect to diagnosis and prognosis for human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan L Stegelmeier
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, UT 84341, USA.
| | - Steven M Colegate
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, UT 84341, USA.
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Ammon W Brown
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Ft Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
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Brown AW, Stegelmeier BL, Colegate SM, Gardner DR, Panter KE, Knoppel EL, Hall JO. The comparative toxicity of a reduced, crude comfrey (Symphytum officinale) alkaloid extract and the pure, comfrey-derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids, lycopsamine and intermedine in chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). J Appl Toxicol 2015; 36:716-25. [PMID: 26177929 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), a commonly used herb, contains dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids that, as a group of bioactive metabolites, are potentially hepatotoxic, pneumotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic. Consequently, regulatory agencies and international health organizations have recommended comfrey be used for external use only. However, in many locations comfrey continues to be ingested as a tisane or as a leafy vegetable. The objective of this work was to compare the toxicity of a crude, reduced comfrey alkaloid extract to purified lycopsamine and intermedine that are major constituents of S. officinale. Male, California White chicks were orally exposed to daily doses of 0.04, 0.13, 0.26, 0.52 and 1.04 mmol lycopsamine, intermedine or reduced comfrey extract per kg bodyweight (BW) for 10 days. After another 7 days chicks were euthanized. Based on clinical signs of poisoning, serum biochemistry, and histopathological analysis the reduced comfrey extract was more toxic than lycopsamine and intermedine. This work suggests a greater than additive effect of the individual alkaloids and/or a more potent toxicity of the acetylated derivatives in the reduced comfrey extract. It also suggests that safety recommendations based on purified compounds may underestimate the potential toxicity of comfrey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammon W Brown
- USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | | | - Steven M Colegate
- USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA.,Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Dale R Gardner
- USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Kip E Panter
- USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Edward L Knoppel
- USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Jeffery O Hall
- Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
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Stegelmeier BL, Brown AW, Welch KD. Safety concerns of herbal products and traditional Chinese herbal medicines: dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids and aristolochic acid. J Appl Toxicol 2015; 35:1433-7. [PMID: 26152912 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In many countries, including the United States, herbal supplements, tisanes and vegetable products, including traditional Chinese medicines, are largely unregulated and their content is not registered, monitored or verified. Consequently, potent plant toxins including dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids and other potential carcinogens can contaminate these products. As herbal and food supplement producers are left to their own means to determine the safety and purity of their products prior to marketing, disturbingly often good marketing practices currently in place are ignored and content is largely undocumented. Historical examples of poisoning and health issues relating to plant material containing dehydopyrrolizidine alkaloids and aristolochic acids were used as examples to demonstrate the risk and potential toxicity of herbal products, food supplements, or traditional medicines. More work is needed to educate consumers of the potential risk and require the industry to be more responsible to verify the content and insure the safety of their products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan L Stegelmeier
- United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Ammon W Brown
- United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
| | - Kevin D Welch
- United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84341, USA
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