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Chen Y, Li L, Xu J, Liu Y, Xie Y, Xiong A, Wang Z, Yang L. Mass spectrometric analysis strategies for pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Food Chem 2024; 445:138748. [PMID: 38422865 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in food and natural preparations have received widespread attention due to their hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, and embryotoxicity. Mass spectrometry (MS), as a high resolution, high sensitive, and high throughput detection tool, has been the most commonly used technique for the determination of PAs. The continuous advancement of new technologies, methods, and strategies in the field of MS has contributed to the improvement of the analytical efficiency and methodological enhancement of PAs. This paper provides an overview of the structure, toxicity properties and commonly employed analytical methods, focusing on the concepts, advances, and novel techniques and applications of MS-based methods for the analysis of PAs. Additionally, the remaining challenges, future perspectives, and trends for PA detection are discussed. This review provides a reference for toxicological studies of PAs, content monitoring, and the establishment of quality control and safety standards for herbal and food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Linnan Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jie Xu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yamin Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanqiao Xie
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Aizhen Xiong
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhengtao Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Dushna O, Dubenska L, Gawor A, Karasińki J, Barabash O, Ostapiuk Y, Blazheyevskiy M, Bulska E. Structural Characterization and Electrochemical Studies of Selected Alkaloid N-Oxides. Molecules 2024; 29:2721. [PMID: 38930787 PMCID: PMC11205554 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this work, we synthesized and confirmed the structure of several alkaloid N-oxides using mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We also investigated their reduction mechanisms using voltammetry. For the first time, we obtained alkaloid N-oxides using an oxidation reaction with potassium peroxymonosulfate as an oxidant. The structure was established based on the obtained fragmentation mass spectra recorded by LC-Q-ToF-MS. In the FT-IR spectra of the alkaloid N-oxides, characteristic signals of N-O group vibrations were recorded (bands in the range of 928 cm⁻1 to 971 cm⁻1), confirming the presence of this functional group. Electrochemical reduction studies demonstrated the reduction of alkaloid N-oxides at mercury-based electrodes back to the original form of the alkaloid. For the first time, the products of the electrochemical reduction of alkaloid N-oxides were detected by mass spectrometry. The findings provide insights into the structural characteristics and reduction behaviors of alkaloid N-oxides, offering implications for pharmacological and biochemical applications. This research contributes to a better understanding of alkaloid metabolism and degradation processes, with potential implications for drug development and environmental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Dushna
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (O.D.); (A.G.); (J.K.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Kyryla i Mefodiya 6, 79-005 Lviv, Ukraine; (L.D.); (O.B.); (Y.O.)
| | - Liliya Dubenska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Kyryla i Mefodiya 6, 79-005 Lviv, Ukraine; (L.D.); (O.B.); (Y.O.)
| | - Andrzej Gawor
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (O.D.); (A.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Jakub Karasińki
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (O.D.); (A.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Oksana Barabash
- Faculty of Chemistry, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Kyryla i Mefodiya 6, 79-005 Lviv, Ukraine; (L.D.); (O.B.); (Y.O.)
| | - Yurii Ostapiuk
- Faculty of Chemistry, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Kyryla i Mefodiya 6, 79-005 Lviv, Ukraine; (L.D.); (O.B.); (Y.O.)
| | - Mykola Blazheyevskiy
- Department of General Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, Valentynivska 4, 61-168 Kharkiv, Ukraine;
| | - Ewa Bulska
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (O.D.); (A.G.); (J.K.)
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Lehmann A, Geburek I, Hessel-Pras S, Enge AM, Mielke H, Müller-Graf C, Kloft C, Hethey C. PBTK model-based analysis of CYP3A4 induction and the toxicokinetics of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine in man. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1757-1769. [PMID: 38528153 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 induction by drugs and pesticides plays a critical role in the enhancement of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxicity as it leads to increased formation of hepatotoxic dehydro-PA metabolites. Addressing the need for a quantitative analysis of this interaction, we developed a physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model. Specifically, the model describes the impact of the well-characterized CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin on the kinetics of retrorsine, which is a prototypic PA and contaminant in herbal teas. Based on consumption data, the kinetics after daily intake of retrorsine were simulated with concomitant rifampicin treatment. Strongest impact on retrorsine kinetics (plasma AUC24 and C max reduced to 67% and 74% compared to the rifampicin-free reference) was predicted directly after withdrawal of rifampicin. At this time point, the competitive inhibitory effect of rifampicin stopped, while CYP3A4 induction was still near its maximum. Due to the impacted metabolism kinetics, the cumulative formation of intestinal retrorsine CYP3A4 metabolites increased to 254% (from 10 to 25 nmol), while the cumulative formation of hepatic CYP3A4 metabolites was not affected (57 nmol). Return to baseline PA toxicokinetics was predicted 14 days after stop of a 14-day rifampicin treatment. In conclusion, the PBTK model showed to be a promising tool to assess the dynamic interplay of enzyme induction and toxification pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Lehmann
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 12169, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ina Geburek
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hessel-Pras
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne-Margarethe Enge
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Mielke
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christine Müller-Graf
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kloft
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 12169, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Hethey
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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Dusemund B, Aquilina G, Bastos MDL, Marcon F, Pizzo F, Woutersen R, Manini P. Risk assessment of feed components of botanical origin - Approaches taken in the European Union. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 188:114654. [PMID: 38608926 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
In view of a continuous trend in replacing synthetic feed additives and especially flavouring compounds by botanical preparations, different aspects of the safety evaluations of plants and plant-derived preparations and components in feed are discussed. This includes risk assessment approaches developed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for phytotoxins regarding unintentional exposure of target animals and of consumers to animal derived food via carry-over from feed. Relevant regulatory frameworks for feed additives and feed contaminants in the European Union are summarised and the essentials of existing guidelines used in the safety evaluation of botanicals and their preparations and components in feed are outlined. The examples presented illustrate how the safety of the botanicals, their preparations and components present in feed is assessed. An outlook on possible future developments in risk assessment by applying new in vitro and in silico methodologies is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Dusemund
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriele Aquilina
- National Center for Chemical Substances, Italian Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria de Lourdes Bastos
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE Unit - Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francesca Marcon
- Dept. Environment and Health, Italian Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Fabiola Pizzo
- Feed and Contaminants Unit, European Food Safety Authority, via Carlo Mango 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Ruud Woutersen
- TNO Quality of Life, Utrecht and Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paola Manini
- Feed and Contaminants Unit, European Food Safety Authority, via Carlo Mango 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
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Alhejji Y, Widjaja F, Tian S, Hoekstra T, Wesseling S, Rietjens IM. In vitro-in silico study on the influence of dose, fraction bioactivated and endpoint used on the relative potency value of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides compared to parent pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Curr Res Toxicol 2024; 6:100160. [PMID: 38469320 PMCID: PMC10926302 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2024.100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PA-N-oxides) are phytotoxins found in food, feed and the environment. Yet, limited data exist from which the relative potency of a PA-N-oxide relative to its corresponding PA (REPPANO to PA) can be defined. This study aims to investigate the influence of dose, fraction bioactivated and endpoint on the REPPANO to PA of a series of pyrrolizidine N-oxides using in vitro-in silico data and physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling. The first endpoint used to calculate the REPPANO to PA was the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve of PA resulting from an oral dose of PA-N-oxide divided by that from an equimolar dose of PA (Method 1). The second endpoint was the ratio of the amount of pyrrole-protein adducts formed under these conditions (Method 2). REPPANO to PA values appeared to decrease with increasing dose, with the decrease for Method 2 already starting at lower dose level than for Method 1. At dose levels as low as estimated daily human intakes, REPPANO to PA values amounted to 0.92, 0.81, 0.78, and 0.68 for retrorsine N-oxide, seneciphylline N-oxide, riddelliine N-oxide and senecivernine N-oxide, respectively, and became independent of the dose or fraction bioactivated, because no GSH depletion, saturation of PA clearance or PA-N-oxide reduction occurs. Overall, the results demonstrate the strength of using PBK modeling in defining REPPANO to PA values, thereby substantiating the use of the same approach for other PA-N-oxides for which in vivo data are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Alhejji
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Frances Widjaja
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Shenghan Tian
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hoekstra
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Wesseling
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ivonne M.C.M. Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
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To YC, Pan Y, Yan X, He Y, Lin G. The toxicokinetic and metabolism of structurally diverse pyrrolizidine alkaloids in rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117390. [PMID: 37956911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of phytotoxins present in about 3% of flowering plants worldwide. Ingestion of PA-containing herbal products may lead to hepatotoxicity. Notably, the toxicokinetic (TK) behaviors, especially pyrrole-protein adducts (PPAs) having the same structure but generated from metabolic activation of different PAs, significantly affect the toxicity of structurally diverse PAs, therefore studying them in their pure form is preferable to extracts to stratify toxic potency of different PAs co-existing in herbal extracts. However, previous studies mainly focus on the establishment of TK profiles of the intact PAs, revealing less or no kinetic information on the main PA metabolites (PA N-oxides) and PPAs which mediate PA-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, PPA was measured as the biomarker of PA exposure and PA-induced toxicity. AIM OF STUDY This study aims to investigate the TK difference between structurally diverse PAs of retronecine-type PAs: retrorsine (RTS) and monocrotaline (MCT), and otonecine-type PA: clivorine (CLI), and their toxicity-related metabolite PPAs and PA N-oxides, the main metabolite of retronecine-type PAs, for the establishment of a more accurate risk assessment of PAs exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS The TK studies were conducted using rats through intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) administration of PAs at 20 mg/kg. The main TK parameters of PAs and PA N-oxides were determined from plasma concentration-time profiles, and the kinetic profiles of PPAs were assessed from both plasma and erythrocyte concentration-time profiles. RESULTS MCT demonstrated the slowest but the highest extent of absorption among the three PAs, while RTS demonstrated a similar absorption rate with a lower extent than CLI. For elimination, MCT demonstrated a similar elimination rate as RTS but the lowest extent of elimination among the three PAs, and CLI exhibited significantly faster elimination than MCT and RTS. Moreover, the formation of PA N-oxide, which only occurs in retronecine-type PAs, was remarkably less in MCT-treated rats compared to RTS-treated ones. Of note, the retronecine-type RTS and MCT induced more PPAs via p.o. than i.v. administration route, whereas the otonecine-type CLI showed the opposite trend. CONCLUSION Dramatic TK differences, including not only PAs but also PA N-oxides and the derived protein adduct PPAs, were found among structurally diverse PAs in rats, laying the basis for varied hepatotoxic potencies induced by different PA-containing herbal products. Notably, our findings for the first time uncovered that oral administration of retronecine-type PAs might cause severer toxicity compared with the intravenous route, which warrants further in-depth exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Ching To
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yueyang Pan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Rasool F, Nizamani ZA, Ahmad KS, Parveen F, Khan SA, Sabir N. An appraisal of traditional knowledge of plant poisoning of livestock and its validation through acute toxicity assay in rats. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1328133. [PMID: 38420196 PMCID: PMC10900104 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1328133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Kashmir Himalaya hosts the most diverse and rich flora in the world, which serves as grazing land for millions of small ruminants in the area. While most plant species are beneficial, some can be poisonous, causing economic losses and animal health issues for livestock. Consequently, this study is the first comprehensive report on the traditional phyto-toxicological knowledge in District Muzaffarabad and the assessment of its authenticity through experimental studies in rats. Methods: The data regarding traditional knowledge was gathered from 70 key respondents through semi-structured interviews, which was quantitatively analyzed and authenticated through plant extract testing on Wistar female rats and comparison with published resources. Results: A total of 46 poisonous plant species belonging to 23 families and 38 genera were reported to be poisonous in the study area. Results revealed that leaves were the most toxic plant parts (24 species, 52.1%), followed by the whole plant (18 species, 39.1%), stem (17 species, 36.9%), and seeds (10 species, 21.7%). At the organ level, liver as most susceptible affected by 13 species (28.2%), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (15 species, 32.6%), nervous system (13 species, 8.2%), dermis (8 species, 17.3%), renal (7 species, 15.2%), respiratory (4 species, 8.7%), cardiovascular system (3 species, 6.5%), and reproductive system (2 species, 4.3%). The poisonous plant species with high Relative frequency citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL) were Nerium oleander (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), Lantana camara (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), and Ricinus communis (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100). Experimental assessment of acute toxicity assay in rats revealed that Nerium oleander was the most toxic plant with LD50 of (4,000 mg/kg), trailed by Ricinus communis (4,200 mg/kg), L. camara (4,500 mg/kg), and Datura stramonium (4,700 mg/kg); however, other plants showed moderate to mild toxicity. The major clinical observations were anorexia, piloerection, dyspnea, salivation, tachypnea, constipation, diarrhea, tremor, itchiness, and dullness. Conclusion: This study showed that numerous poisonous plants pose a significant risk to the livestock industry within Himalayan territory, leading to substantial economic losses. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to conduct further comprehensive studies on the phytotoxicity of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Rasool
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad, Pakistan
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Rawalakot, Pakistan
| | - Zaheer Ahmed Nizamani
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Fahmida Parveen
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahzad Akbar Khan
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Rawalakot, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Sabir
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Rawalakot, Pakistan
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Lu YS, Qiu J, Mu XY, Qian YZ, Chen L. Levels, Toxic Effects, and Risk Assessment of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Foods: A Review. Foods 2024; 13:536. [PMID: 38397512 PMCID: PMC10888194 DOI: 10.3390/foods13040536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring secondary metabolites of plants. To date, more than 660 types of PAs have been identified from an estimated 6000 plants, and approximately 120 of these PAs are hepatotoxic. As a result of PAs being found in spices, herbal teas, honey, and milk, PAs are considered contaminants in foods, posing a potential risk to human health. Here, we summarize the chemical structure, toxic effects, levels, and regulation of PAs in different countries to provide a better understanding of their toxicity and risk assessment. With recent research on the risk assessment of PAs, this review also discusses the challenges facing this field, aiming to provide a scientific basis for PA toxicity research and safety assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-Z.Q.)
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China
| | - Jing Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-Z.Q.)
| | - Xi-Yan Mu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-Z.Q.)
| | - Yong-Zhong Qian
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-Z.Q.)
| | - Lu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-Z.Q.)
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Tábuas B, Cruz Barros S, Diogo C, Cavaleiro C, Sanches Silva A. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Foods, Herbal Drugs, and Food Supplements: Chemistry, Metabolism, Toxicological Significance, Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Challenges for Future. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:79. [PMID: 38393157 PMCID: PMC10892171 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Consumers are increasingly seeking natural alternatives to chemical compounds, including the use of dried aromatic plants as seasonings instead of salt. However, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in food supplements and dried plants has become a concern because of their link to liver diseases and their classification as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Despite European Union (EU) Regulation (EU) 2023/915, non-compliance issues persist, as indicated by alerts on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal. Analyzing PAs poses a challenge because of their diverse chemical structures and low concentrations in these products, necessitating highly sensitive analytical methods. Despite these challenges, ongoing advancements in analytical techniques coupled with effective sampling and extraction strategies offer the potential to enhance safety measures. These developments aim to minimize consumer exposure to PAs and safeguard their health while addressing the growing demand for natural alternatives in the marketplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Tábuas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal (C.C.)
| | - Sílvia Cruz Barros
- National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Catarina Diogo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal (C.C.)
| | - Carlos Cavaleiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal (C.C.)
- Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre (CIEPQPF), University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Sanches Silva
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal (C.C.)
- Center for Study in Animal Science (CECA), Institute of Sciences, Technologies and Agro-Environment of the University of Porto (ICETA), University of Porto, 4501-401 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Letsyo E, Madilo FK, Effah-Manu L. Pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination of food in Africa: A review of current trends and implications. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24055. [PMID: 38230234 PMCID: PMC10789634 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) contamination of foodstuffs has become a topical issue in recent years on account of its potential hepatotoxicity to consumers. This review therefore highlights human exposure to PAs across Africa, focusing on their occurrence, current trends of food contamination, and their associated health implications. A comprehensive search of peer-scientific literature and relevant databases, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science and Scopus, was conducted from 2001 to 2023 focusing mainly on foodstuffs, including grains, herbs, teas, honey, and livestock products. The findings revealed that PA contamination is a prevalent issue in several African countries, with the primary sources of contamination attributed to the consumption of honey and the use of PA plants as herbs in food preparations. Additionally, poor farming practices have been found to influence the presence and levels of PAs in foodstuffs. To mitigate PA contamination in food and safeguarding public health across the continent, several strategies are proposed, including the implementation of stringent regulatory and quality control measures, adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, and public awareness campaigns to educate producers, consumers and beekeepers about the risks associated with PA-contaminated food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Letsyo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Ho Technical University, P.O Box HP 217, Ho, Ghana
| | - Felix Kwashie Madilo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Ho Technical University, P.O Box HP 217, Ho, Ghana
| | - Liticia Effah-Manu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Ho Technical University, P.O Box HP 217, Ho, Ghana
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11
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Jiao W, Zhu L, Li QX, Shi T, Zhang Z, Wu X, Yang T, Hua R, Cao H. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) from Weeds through Weed-Soil-Tea Transfer and Risk Assessment of Tea Intake. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:19045-19053. [PMID: 37982559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c04339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) have been detected in tea and can threaten human health. However, the specific source of PAs in tea is still unclear. Here, 88 dried tea products collected from six major tea-producing areas in Anhui Province, China, were analyzed. The detection frequency was 76%. The content of total PAs in dried tea was between 1.1 and 90.5 μg/kg, which was all below the MRL recommended by the European Union (150 μg/kg). In the Shexian tea garden, PAs in the weeds and weed rhizospheric soil around tea plants and the fresh tea leaves were analyzed. Intermedine (Im), intermedine-N-oxide (ImNO), and jacobine-N-oxide (JbNO) were transferred through the weed-to-soil-to-tea route into the fresh tea leaves; only Im and ImNO were detected in dried tea samples. Potential risk of the total PAs in the tea infusion was assessed according to the margin of exposure method, and it might be a low concern for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiting Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Taozhong Shi
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhaoxian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiangwei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tianyuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Rimao Hua
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, School of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Haiqun Cao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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12
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Lin T, Zhou L, Chen Z, Wang L, Yang J, Wang S, Chen X, Zuo Z, He C, Guo L. Exposure to echimidine impairs the heart development and function of zebrafish larvae. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115574. [PMID: 37839186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a class of phytotoxins that are widely distributed and can be consumed by humans through their daily diets. Echimidine is one of the most abundant PAs, but its safety, particularly its effects on development, is not fully understood. In this study, we used a zebrafish model to assess the developmental toxicity of echimidine. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to echimidine at concentrations of 0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg/L for 96 h. Our study revealed that embryonic exposure to echimidine led to developmental toxicity, characterized by delayed hatching and reduced body length. Additionally, echimidine exposure had a notable impact on heart development in larvae, causing tachycardia and reducing stroke volume (SV)and cardiac output (CO). Upon exposing the transgenic zebrafish strain Tg(cmlc2:EGFP) to echimidine, we observed atrial dilation and thinning of the atrial wall in developing embryos. Moreover, our findings indicated abnormal expression of genes associated with cardiac development (including gata4, tbx5, nkx2.5 and myh6) and genes involved in calcium signaling pathways (such as cacna1aa, cacna1sa, ryr2a, ryr2b, atp2a2a, atp2a2b, slc8a1, slc8a3 and slc8a4a). In summary, our findings demonstrate that echimidine may impair cardiac development and function in zebrafish larvae by disrupting calcium transport, leading to developmental toxicity. These findings provide insights regarding the safety of products containing PAs in food and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Evaluation and Research Center of Daodi Herbs of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Luanjin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Evaluation and Research Center of Daodi Herbs of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xintan Chen
- Chest Pain Center, Anxi County Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian 362400, China
| | - Zhenghong Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Chengyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
| | - Lanping Guo
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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13
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Akuamoa F, Mulder PPJ, Bovee TFH, Rietjens IMCM, Hoogenboom RLAP. Occurrence and associated health risks of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in supplements marketed in Ghana for improved sexual performance. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2023; 16:301-309. [PMID: 37448098 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2023.2227961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are noted for their hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in animals and humans following metabolic activation in the liver. In this study, herbal supplements sold in Ghana for sexual improvement were analysed for the presence of 64 PAs using LC-MS/MS analysis. Up to 17 different PAs were identified in 19 out of the 37 samples analysed. The sum of PAs in samples ranged from 5 to 3204 μg kg-1. Since the PA content in the herbal medicinal preparations was generally lower than in honey samples, their presence was mainly attributed to cross-contamination. The observed levels would result in estimated daily intakes from 0.01 to 12 μg per day or 0.0002 to 0.2 μg kg-1 bw day-1 for a person weighing 70 kg. The margins of exposure ranged from 1200 to 1,400,000 with eight samples showing values below 10,000, thus indicating a health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Akuamoa
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Applied Radiation Biology Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Toine F H Bovee
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivonne M C M Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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14
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Peloso M, Minkoumba Sonfack G, Paduano S, De Martino M, De Santis B, Caprai E. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Food on the Italian Market. Molecules 2023; 28:5346. [PMID: 37513219 PMCID: PMC10385305 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites produced by over 6000 plant species worldwide. PAs enter the food chain through accidental co-harvesting of PA-containing weeds and through soil transfer from the living plant to surrounding acceptor plants. In animal studies, 1,2-unsaturated PAs have proven to be genotoxic carcinogens. According to the scientific opinion expressed by the 2017 EFSA, the foods with the highest levels of PA contamination were honey, tea, herbal infusions, and food supplements. Following the EFSA's recommendations, data on the presence of PAs in relevant food were monitored and collected. On 1 July 2022, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2040 came into force, repealed by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915, setting maximum levels for the sum of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in certain food. A total of 602 food samples were collected from the Italian market between 2019 and 2022 and were classified as honey, pollen, dried tea, dried herbal infusions, dried herbs, and fresh borage leaves. The food samples were analyzed for their PA content via an in-house LC-MS/MS method that can detect PAs according to Regulation 2023/915. Overall, 42% of the analyzed samples were PA-contaminated, 14% exceeded the EU limits, and the items most frequently contaminated included dried herbs and tea. In conclusion, the number of food items containing considerable amounts of PAs may cause concern because they may contribute to human exposure, especially considering vulnerable populations-most importantly, children and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariantonietta Peloso
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gaetan Minkoumba Sonfack
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Paduano
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate for Hygiene and Food Safety and Nutrition, Via G. Ribotta, 5, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele De Martino
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate for Hygiene and Food Safety and Nutrition, Via G. Ribotta, 5, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara De Santis
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Caprai
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
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15
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Sousa AC, Ribeiro C, Gonçalves VMF, Pádua I, Leal S. Chromatographic Methods for Detection and Quantification of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Flora, Herbal Medicines, and Food: An Overview. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-25. [PMID: 37300809 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2218476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins produced by some plants that gained special interest due to their potential hazardous effects in humans and animals. These substances have been found in wild flora, herbal medicines and food products raising health concerns. Recently, maximum concentration levels of PAs were established for some food products; however, maximum daily intake frequently surpasses the upper limit set by the competent authorities posing a health risk. Given the scarcity or absence of occurrence data on PAs in many products, there is an urgent need to measure their levels and establish safety intake levels. Analytical methods have been reported to detect and quantify PAs in different matrices. The commonly used chromatographic methodologies provides accurate and reliable results. Analytical methods include diverse steps as extraction and sample preparation procedures that are critical for sensitivity and selectivity of the analytical method. Great efforts have been directed toward optimization of extraction procedures, clean up and chromatographic conditions to improve recovery, reduce matrix effects, and achieve low limits of detection and quantification. Therefore, this paper aims to give a general overview about the occurrence of PAs in flora, herbal medicines, and foodstuff; and discuss the different chromatographic methodologies used for PAs analysis, namely extraction and sample preparation procedures and chromatographic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Sousa
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Virgínia M F Gonçalves
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- UNIPRO - Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Inês Pádua
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- Epidemiology Unit - Institute of Public Health of University of Porto (ISPUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Leal
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- CINTESIS-RISE, MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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16
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Rizzo S, Celano R, Piccinelli AL, Russo M, Rastrelli L. Target screening method for the quantitative determination of 118 pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food supplements, herbal infusions, honey and teas by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry. Food Chem 2023; 423:136306. [PMID: 37167673 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
An analytical procedure for the screening of 118 pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) was successfully validated and applied to their quantitative determination in food supplements, herbal infusions, honey, and teas. It provides the reliable analyte identification by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS), the accurate determination of 21 regulated PAs, and broad contamination profiles. 10% of 281 analyzed samples resulted contaminated at levels above the maximum levels (MLs) of European legislation. The contamination of herbal infusions of mixed plants can represent a possible health concern (23%; mean of PA sum above ML). A high number of PAs not included in the regulation was detected in honey and herbal food supplements, but their contribution was only relevant to the overall level in honey. The results indicate the need to continue collecting contamination data in food supplements and infusions of mixed herbs and to expand the PA-pool to be monitored in honey and related products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
| | - Rita Celano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Piccinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Mariateresa Russo
- Department of Agriculture Science, Food Chemistry, Safety and Sensoromic Laboratory, University of Reggio Calabria, Via Salita Melissari, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Luca Rastrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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17
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Lehmann A, Geburek I, These A, Hessel-Pras S, Hengstler JG, Albrecht W, Mielke H, Müller-Graf C, Yang X, Kloft C, Hethey C. PBTK modeling of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine to predict liver toxicity in mouse and rat. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1319-1333. [PMID: 36906727 PMCID: PMC10110657 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Retrorsine is a hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) found in herbal supplements and medicines, food and livestock feed. Dose-response studies enabling the derivation of a point of departure including a benchmark dose for risk assessment of retrorsine in humans and animals are not available. Addressing this need, a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model of retrorsine was developed for mouse and rat. Comprehensive characterization of retrorsine toxicokinetics revealed: both the fraction absorbed from the intestine (78%) and the fraction unbound in plasma (60%) are high, hepatic membrane permeation is dominated by active uptake and not by passive diffusion, liver metabolic clearance is 4-fold higher in rat compared to mouse and renal excretion contributes to 20% of the total clearance. The PBTK model was calibrated with kinetic data from available mouse and rat studies using maximum likelihood estimation. PBTK model evaluation showed convincing goodness-of-fit for hepatic retrorsine and retrorsine-derived DNA adducts. Furthermore, the developed model allowed to translate in vitro liver toxicity data of retrorsine to in vivo dose-response data. Resulting benchmark dose confidence intervals (mg/kg bodyweight) are 24.1-88.5 in mice and 79.9-104 in rats for acute liver toxicity after oral retrorsine intake. As the PBTK model was built to enable extrapolation to different species and other PA congeners, this integrative framework constitutes a flexible tool to address gaps in the risk assessment of PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Lehmann
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 12169, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ina Geburek
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja These
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hessel-Pras
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Technical University of Dortmund, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Wiebke Albrecht
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Technical University of Dortmund, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hans Mielke
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christine Müller-Graf
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiaojing Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Charlotte Kloft
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 12169, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Hethey
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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18
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An analytical platform for the screening and identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food matrices with high risk of contamination. Food Chem 2023; 406:135058. [PMID: 36459797 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
An analytical platform for the detection of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey, pollen, teas, herbal infusions, and dietary supplements is proposed; it includes a wide-scope suspect screening method, based on a diagnostic product ion filtering strategy for the characterization of PAs, and a target screening and identification method for the high-throughput detection of 118 PAs of a high-resolution mass spectral library. Salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction of aqueous extracts combined to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was employed. The limit of identification (0.6-30 µg kg-1) of 28 standards were fit-for-purpose in PA-monitoring applications, with a false negative rate <1.3 % at 4 µg L-1. The wide-scope suspect screening method allowed the tentative identification of 88 compounds. The screening of 282 commercial samples revealed a broad contamination of the studied matrices, demonstrating the effectiveness of the platform in detecting and identifying both target and untarget PAs.
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19
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Roncada P, Isani G, Peloso M, Dalmonte T, Bonan S, Caprai E. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Monofloral and Multifloral Italian Honey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5410. [PMID: 37048023 PMCID: PMC10094242 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a self-defense against insects. After bioactivation in the liver, some PAs can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of PAs in 121 samples of monofloral and multifloral honey from three different Italian regions (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche and Calabria) to meet the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggestion. An in-house liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated according to European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) performance criteria. This method allowed the detection and quantification of 35 PAs. Of the 121 honey samples, 38 (31%), mostly from Calabria, contained PAs. The total content of the PAs ranged from 0.9 µg/kg to 33.1 µg/kg. In particular, echimidine was the most prevalent PA. A rapid human exposure assessment to PAs in honey and a risk characterization was performed using the EFSA RACE tool. The assessment highlighted a potential health concern only for toddlers who frequently consume elevated quantities of honey. This study showed a low presence of PAs in Italian honey; however, the importance of continuously monitoring these compounds is stressed, along with the suggestion that the relevant authorities establish maximum limits to guarantee support for producers and consumer safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Roncada
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - Mariantonietta Peloso
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Thomas Dalmonte
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Bonan
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Caprai
- National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
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20
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Xu Y, Li J, Mao H, You W, Chen J, Xu H, Wu J, Gong Y, Guo L, Liu T, Li W, Xu B, Xie J. Structural annotation, semi-quantification and toxicity prediction of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from functional food: In silico and molecular networking strategy. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 176:113738. [PMID: 37003509 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Many traditional Chinese herbs contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have been reported to be toxic to livestock and humans. However, the lack of PAs standards makes it difficult to effectively conduct a risk assessment in the varied components of traditional Chinese medicine. It is necessary to propose a suitable strategy to obtain the representative occurrence data of PAs in complex systems. A comprehensive approach for annotating the structures, concentration, and mutagenicity of PAs in three Chinese herbs has been proposed in this article. First, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) combined with network annotation propagation (NAP) on the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking web platform speeds up the process of annotating PAs found in Chinese herbs. Second, a semi-quantitative prediction model based on the quantitative structures and ionization intensity relationship (QSIIR) is used to forecast the amounts of PAs in complex substrates. Finally, the T.E.S.T. was used to provide predictions regarding the mutagenicity of annotated PAs. The goal of this study was to develop a strategy for combining the results of several computer models for PA screening to conduct a comprehensive analysis of PAs, which is a crucial step in risk assessment of unknown PAs in traditional Chinese herbal preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huajian Mao
- Scientific Research Support Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei You
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wuju Li
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianwei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Eckert E, Lepper H, Hintzsche H. Risk assessment of short-term intake of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food: derivation of an acute reference dose. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2023; 40:588-596. [PMID: 36794362 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2178828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are phytochemicals that are known to act as human hepatotoxins and are also considered to be genotoxic carcinogens. Several plant-derived foods are frequently contaminated with PA, like teas and herbal infusions, spices and herbs or certain food supplements. With respect to the chronic toxicity of PA, the carcinogenic potential of PA is generally regarded as the critical toxicological effect. The risk assessment of the short-term toxicity of PA, however, is internationally less consistent. The characteristic pathological syndrome of acute PA toxicity is hepatic veno-occlusive disease. High PA exposure levels may lead to liver failure and even death as documented by several case reports. In the present report, we suggest a risk assessment approach for the derivation of an acute reference dose (ARfD) for PA of 1 µg/kg body weight per day based on a sub-acute animal toxicity study in rats after oral PA administration. The derived ARfD value is further supported by several case reports describing acute human poisoning following accidental PA intake. The here derived ARfD value may be used for PA risk assessment in cases where the short-term toxicity of PA is of interest in addition to the assessment of the long-term risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Eckert
- Department of Risk Assessment, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany.,Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans Lepper
- Department of Risk Assessment, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Henning Hintzsche
- Department of Risk Assessment, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Food Safety, Institute of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Urugo MM, Tringo TT. Naturally Occurring Plant Food Toxicants and the Role of Food Processing Methods in Their Detoxification. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE 2023; 2023:9947841. [PMID: 37153649 PMCID: PMC10159748 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9947841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Some plant foods evolve defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators by producing inherent chemicals as secondary metabolites such as cyanogenic glycosides, glycoalkaloids, glucosinolates, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and lectins. These metabolites are beneficial for the plant itself but toxic to other organisms, including human beings. Some of these toxic chemicals are believed to have therapeutic benefits and are therefore used to protect against chronic health complications such as cancer. Inversely, short- and long-term exposure to significant amounts of these phytotoxins may end up with chronic irreversible negative health problems in important organ systems, and in severe cases, they can be carcinogenic and fatal. A systematic literature search of relevant published articles indexed in Google Scholar®, PubMed®, Scopus®, Springer Link®, Web of Science®, MDPI®, and ScienceDirect databases was used to obtain the necessary information. Various traditional and emerging food-processing techniques have been found to considerably reduce most of the toxicants in the food to their safest level. Despite their ability to preserve the nutritional value of processed foods, emerging food processing methods have limited application and accessibility in middle- and low-income countries. As a consequence, much more work is recommended on the implementation of emerging technologies, with additional scientific work on food processing methods that are effective against these naturally occurring plant food toxicants, particularly pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markos Makiso Urugo
- Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Wachemo University, Hosanna, Ethiopia
| | - Tadele Tuba Tringo
- College of Engineering and Agro-Processing Technology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
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23
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Chizzola R, Eller A. Seasonal Variability in Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Jacobaea alpina from the Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy). Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202200603. [PMID: 36202629 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, increased attention has been given to plants containing toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Jacobaea alpina (syn. Senecio cordatus) is a tall forb growing on mountain pastures and meadows containing such alkaloids and therefore, the plant is considered as a noxious weed in these environments. The repartition of toxic macrocyclic PAs in the plant and their evolution during the vegetation period has been studied in two populations. Eight PAs were found where senciphylline and senecionine accounted in most samples for more than 85 % of total alkaloids. Leaves in April and stems in May started with high PA concentrations (19-22 mg/g dry matter), then alkaloid levels declined. This decrease was more rapid in stems than in leaves. Depending on the population, fully developed inflorescences in June and July PA contents were higher or lower than in the respective leaves. Later, also in the inflorescences PA concentration decreased. Combined with growth data total alkaloid content in the whole plant as mg/plant was highest in midsummer and declined afterwards. Finally, new emerging leaves in September had high PA levels, which declined markedly towards the end of the season in November. In sum, over a large period PA concentration appeared to be high enough to present a health risk for grazing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remigius Chizzola
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andy Eller
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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Risk Assessment of (Herbal) Teas Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) Based on Margin of Exposure Approach and Relative Potency (REP) Factors. Foods 2022; 11:foods11192946. [PMID: 36230022 PMCID: PMC9564199 DOI: 10.3390/foods11192946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) present distinct toxicity potencies depending on their metabolites and in vivo toxicokinetics. To represent the potency differences of various PAs, the interim relative potency (REP) factors have been derived. However, little is known about the risk assessment for (herbal) teas when taking REP factors into account. In this study, a set of 68 individual 1,2-unsaturated PA in 21 types of (herbal) teas was analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The REP factors for these PAs were applied on the PA levels. The margin of exposure (MOE) approach was employed to assess the risks of the exposure to PAs due to consumption of (herbal) teas. The results show that the total PA levels ranged from 13.4 to 286,682.2 μg/kg d.m., which were decreased by REP correction in most of the teas. The MOE values for tephroseris, borage and lemon balm (melissa) tea based on REP-corrected PA levels were below 10,000, assuming daily consumption of one cup of tea during a lifetime, indicating that consuming these teas may raise a concern. Our study also indicates a priority for risk management for tephroseris tea, as having nephrosis tea for more than 11.2 weeks during a 75-year lifetime would result in an MOE of 10,000.
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Kobets T, Smith BPC, Williams GM. Food-Borne Chemical Carcinogens and the Evidence for Human Cancer Risk. Foods 2022; 11:foods11182828. [PMID: 36140952 PMCID: PMC9497933 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Commonly consumed foods and beverages can contain chemicals with reported carcinogenic activity in rodent models. Moreover, exposures to some of these substances have been associated with increased cancer risks in humans. Food-borne carcinogens span a range of chemical classes and can arise from natural or anthropogenic sources, as well as form endogenously. Important considerations include the mechanism(s) of action (MoA), their relevance to human biology, and the level of exposure in diet. The MoAs of carcinogens have been classified as either DNA-reactive (genotoxic), involving covalent reaction with nuclear DNA, or epigenetic, involving molecular and cellular effects other than DNA reactivity. Carcinogens are generally present in food at low levels, resulting in low daily intakes, although there are some exceptions. Carcinogens of the DNA-reactive type produce effects at lower dosages than epigenetic carcinogens. Several food-related DNA-reactive carcinogens, including aflatoxins, aristolochic acid, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene and ethylene oxide, are recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as causes of human cancer. Of the epigenetic type, the only carcinogen considered to be associated with increased cancer in humans, although not from low-level food exposure, is dioxin (TCDD). Thus, DNA-reactive carcinogens in food represent a much greater risk than epigenetic carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Kobets
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-914-594-3105; Fax: +1-914-594-4163
| | - Benjamin P. C. Smith
- Future Ready Food Safety Hub, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Gary M. Williams
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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Wang Z, Ma J, He Y, Miu KK, Yao S, Tang C, Ye Y, Lin G. Nrf2-mediated liver protection by 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid against pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced toxicity through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 102:154162. [PMID: 35598524 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Misusage of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-containing plants or unaware intake of PA-contaminated foodstuffs causes thousands of PA poisoning cases in humans. PA intoxication is accompanied by oxidative stress and subsequent extensive hepatocellular damage. Our previous study has demonstrated that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a bioactive constituent of liquorice, prevented PA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, however the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the mechanisms underlying the hepato-protective effect of GA in combating retrorsine (RTS, a representative toxic PA)-induced liver injury. METHODS Histological and biochemical assessments were employed to evaluate the protective effect of GA on RTS-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sulforhodamine B assay, real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunostaining were used to explore the underlying mechanisms in human hepatocytes and rats. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that GA alleviated RTS-induced elevation of serum ALT and bilirubin levels, as well as hepatocytes necrosis and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) damage in rats. GA also enhanced the activities and expressions of several antioxidant enzymes through upregulating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor2 (Nrf2). Moreover, inhibition of Nrf2 blocked the hepatoprotective effect of GA against RTS intoxication. Mechanistically, GA increased the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and enhanced glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) inhibitory phosphorylation at serine 9, thus promoting the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and activating its downstream targets. CONCLUSION This study for the first time demonstrated that GA exerted protective effects against RTS-induced liver injury by potentiating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant system through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway. The findings indicated that GA may serve as a potential candidate drug for the treatment of PA intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangting Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 505A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 505A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Hong Kong SAR, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 505A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Kei Miu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 505A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Natural Products Chemistry Department, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunping Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Natural Products Chemistry Department, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Natural Products Chemistry Department, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 505A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Nowak N, Diouf F, Golsong N, Höpfner T, Lindtner O. KiESEL - The Children's Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption for the youngest in Germany. BMC Nutr 2022; 8:64. [PMID: 35836299 PMCID: PMC9284799 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-022-00527-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With KiESEL, the Children’s Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) collected representative food consumption data for children aged six months up to five years. KiESEL was one of five modules of KiGGS Wave2 (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The objective was to update the consumption data for children in Germany and to fill a data gap for the age group of five-year-old children. The study provides an up-to-date and comprehensive database that will be used for exposure assessment, as part of risk assessment of Germany’s youngest consumers. Methods In the years 2014 to 2017, 1104 children from all over Germany participated in KiESEL. During home visits, survey staff conducted a questionnaire-based interview including a food propensity questionnaire (FPQ) on seldom eaten foods and questions concerning consumption outside home, dietary habits and diet during first year. The interviewer measured the children’s height and weight. Families and childcare workers filled out a food record, covering three consecutive days and one independent day. Data are based on the FPQ and present consumption frequencies. Depending on the question, socioeconomic status (SES) and migration background were considered. Results 1104 participants had an interview and filled out the questionnaire on usual food intake, seldom eaten foods and consumption away from home. They were included in sample1. 1008 of these participants additionally reported food consumption of at least three days (sample2). 91.2% of the children follow no special diet and 0.8% are vegetarians. 7% of the older children consuming soya-drink. For some foods differences in consumption across SES or migration status were noted. Children from families with higher SES consume more often soya-based substitute milk as families with lower SES (p < 0.00005). Conclusions KiESEL gathered up-to-date consumption data for more than 1000 children living in Germany, aged six month up to including five years. The data will be used for risk assessments of the BfR and provided to national and international partners. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40795-022-00527-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Nowak
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Nadine Golsong
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Höpfner
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Lindtner
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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Willocx M, Van der Beeten I, Asselman P, Delgat L, Baert W, Janssens SB, Leliaert F, Picron JF, Vanhee C. Sorting out the plants responsible for a contamination with pyrrolizidine alkaloids in spice seeds by means of LC-MS/MS and DNA barcoding: Proof of principle with cumin and anise spice seeds. FOOD CHEMISTRY: MOLECULAR SCIENCES 2022; 4:100070. [PMID: 35415703 PMCID: PMC8991971 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2021.100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Identification of contaminating plants in seed spice with DNA barcoding. The obtained data concurs the previously obtained results with DNA metabarcoding. Heliotropium sp. is the predominant source of phytotoxic PA/PANOs in those samples. The presence of only 2 Heliotropium seeds/jar can render a sample non-compliant. The benefit combining chemical and molecular approach to check for phytotoxins.
High value commodities such as spices suffer from occasional contaminations of both chemical and biological origin. Consequently, quality control and safety monitoring has become a pressing issue for the spice industry. Two recent independent studies showed that at least one third of the analyzed cumin and green anise spice seeds samples surpassed the by the European Union recently established threshold value for toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their corresponding N-oxides (PANOs). These heterocyclic secondary plant metabolites are produced by a large number of different plant families. In those spice seeds, it was found by means of DNA metabarcoding, that predominant contamination was due to the presence of herbal material from the Heliotropium genus (Boraginaceae). Unfortunately, the use of this specific type of DNA-based identification remains controversial for the majority of the official instances and preference is still given to the use of more tangible classical approaches, including microscopy and chemical analysis. However, these methodologies often suffer from inherent drawbacks. Here we demonstrate that at least for spice seeds, a combinatory approach of microscopy, chemical analysis and classical DNA barcoding of the isolated contaminants using the matK and trnH-psbA loci, provides qualitative and quantitative information on the amount of plant material responsible for the contaminations and the extent of the contamination. The generated data also demonstrates that the presence of a very limited number of Heliotropium sp. seeds in a standard commercially available canister is sufficient to surpass the allowed threshold value, illustrating once more the importance of weed control.
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Casado N, Fernández-Pintor B, Morante-Zarcero S, Sierra I. Quick and Green Microextraction of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Infusions of Mallow, Calendula, and Hibiscus Flowers Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:7826-7841. [PMID: 35714998 PMCID: PMC9930110 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c02186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A sustainable microextraction of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from edible flower infusions using the innovative μSPEed technique is proposed. Different sorbents and extraction conditions were tested, achieving the highest extraction efficiency with an octadecylsilane sorbent (4 mg). The extraction procedure just took 1 min per sample, and only 300 μL of methanol and 300 μL of the sample were used per extraction. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used for analysis. The method was properly validated, providing suitable linearity, selectivity, sensitivity (quantification limits 0.3-1 μg/L), overall recoveries (79-97%), and precision (≤17% relative standard deviation). Its application to the analysis of different infusions of mallow, calendula, and hibiscus flowers revealed similar total PA values (23-41 μg/L) and contamination profile among the mallow and hibiscus samples, with predominance of senecionine-type and heliotrine-type PAs, respectively. Conversely, calendula samples showed more variations (23-113 μg/L), highlighting the occurrence of intermedine N-oxide and europine N-oxide on them.
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Miniaturized and modified QuEChERS method with mesostructured silica as clean-up sorbent for pyrrolizidine alkaloids determination in aromatic herbs. Food Chem 2022; 380:132189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Rasool F, Nizamani ZA, Ahmad KS, Parveen F, Khan SA, Sabir N. Phytotoxicological study of selected poisonous plants from Azad Jammu & Kashmir. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263605. [PMID: 35544538 PMCID: PMC9094571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Poisonous plants cause tremendous economic losses to the livestock industry. These economic losses are deterioration in their health, decreased productivity, deformed offspring, and reduced longevity. The current study is the first comprehensive report on poisonous plants of Azad Jammu and Kashmir which systematically documents the phytotoxicological effect and mode of action in livestock. The information was gathered from 271 informants including 167 men and 104 women through semi-structured interviews and literature search through available databases. The data collected through interviews was analyzed with quantitative tools viz. the factor informant consensus and fidelity level. A total of 38 species of flowering plants belonging to 23 families and 38 genera were reported. Family Asteraceae (5 spp) was the most dominant, followed by Solanaceae (4 spp), Fabaceae (4 spp), Euphorbiaceae (4 spp) and Convolvulaceae (3 spp). Among all the species collected, herbs were the dominant life form (22 spp, 57.89%), trailed by shrubs (11 spp, 28.95%), and trees (5 spp, 13.16%). Whole plant toxicity was reported to be the highest (15 spp, 39.47%), followed by leaf toxicity (12 spp, 31.58%), seed toxicity (4 spp, 7.89%), fruit toxicity (3 spp, 10.53%), latex toxicity (2 spp, 5.26%), flowers toxicity (1 spp, 2.63%), and berries toxicity (1 spp, 2.63%). The most toxic route of administration was found oral (39 spp, 40.63%), followed by intraperitoneal (24 spp, 25%), and intravenous (21 spp, 21.88%). The most commonly affected organ was found liver (20.41%), followed by gastrointestinal tract (20.341%), CNS (16.33%), skin (14.29%), kidneys (12.24%), lungs (4.04%), reproductive organs (2.04%), spleen (1.75%), blood (1.75%), heart (1.75%), urinary tract (1.75%), and pancreas (1.75%). The maximum Fic value was found for dermatological disorders (0.91), followed by the endocrine system (0.90), gastrointestinal (0.82), neurology (0.77), nephrology (0.67), cardiovascular (0.67), urinary (0.67), respiratory (0.60), sexual (0.60) disorders. Senecio vulgaris, and Ageratum conyzoides were the most important plants with fidelity level (0.95) and (0.87). Nerium oleander, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, and Ricinus communis were the important poisonous plant with maximum fidelity level (100%). Ricinus communis with reported lowest LD50 (<20 mg/kg) was the top-ranked poisonous plant followed by Lantana camara and Justicia adhatoda (25-50 mg/kg), Nerium Oleander (157.37 mg/kg), and Datura innoxia (400 mg/kg). We found that knowledge about poisonous plants is less prevailing in the rural areas of Azad Kashmir compared to the knowledge about medicinal plants and poisonous nature of reported plants is due to production of toxic substances and presence of essential oils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Rasool
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faulty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR), Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Zaheer Ahmed Nizamani
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Khawaja Shafique Ahmad
- Department of Botany, University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR), Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Fahmida Parveen
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Shahzad Akbar Khan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faulty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR), Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Sabir
- Department of Pathobiology, Faulty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR), Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
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Overview of Recent Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods for Natural Toxins Detection in Food Products. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050328. [PMID: 35622576 PMCID: PMC9143482 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural toxins include a wide range of toxic metabolites also occurring in food and products, thus representing a risk for consumer health. In the last few decades, several robust and sensitive analytical methods able to determine their occurrence in food have been developed. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry is the most powerful tool for the simultaneous detection of these toxins due to its advantages in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. A comprehensive review on the most relevant papers on methods based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for the analysis of mycotoxins, alkaloids, marine toxins, glycoalkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides and furocoumarins in food is reported herein. Specifically, a literature search from 2011 to 2021 was carried out, selecting a total of 96 papers. Different approaches to sample preparation, chromatographic separation and detection mode are discussed. Particular attention is given to the analytical performance characteristics obtained in the validation process and the relevant application to real samples.
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Application of the QuEChERS Strategy as a Useful Sample Preparation Tool for the Multiresidue Determination of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Food and Feed Samples: A Critical Overview. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The identification of concerning high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in a wide variety of food products has raised the occurrence of these natural toxins as one of the main current issues of the food safety field. Consequently, a regulation with maximum concentration levels of these alkaloids has recently been published to monitor their occurrence in several foodstuffs. According to legislation, the analytical methodologies developed for their determination must include multiresidue extractions with high selectivity and sensitivity, as a set of 21 + 14 PAs should be simultaneously monitored. However, the multiresidue extraction of these alkaloids is a difficult task due to the high complexity of food and feed samples. Accordingly, although solid-phase extraction is still the technique most widely used for sample preparation, the QuEChERS method can be a suitable alternative for the simultaneous determination of multiple analytes, providing green extraction and clean-up of samples in a quick and cost-effective way. Hence, this review proposes an overview about the QuEChERS concept and its evolution through different modifications that have broadened its applicability over time, focusing mainly on its application regarding the determination of PAs in food and feed, including the revision of published works within the last 11 years.
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Wang Z, Ma J, Yao S, He Y, Miu KK, Xia Q, Fu PP, Ye Y, Lin G. Liquorice Extract and 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Protect Against Experimental Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats Through Inhibiting Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolic Activation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:850859. [PMID: 35370657 PMCID: PMC8966664 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.850859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Misuse of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-containing plants or consumption of PA-contaminated foodstuffs causes numerous poisoning cases in humans yearly, while effective therapeutic strategies are still limited. PA-induced liver injury was initiated by cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolic activation and subsequent formation of adducts with cellular proteins. Liquorice, a hepato-protective herbal medicine, is commonly used concurrently with PA-containing herbs in many compound traditional Chinese medicine formulas, and no PA-poisoning cases have been reported with this combination. The present study aimed to investigate hepato-protective effects of liquorice aqueous extract (EX) and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, the primary bioactive constituent of liquorice) against PA-induced hepatotoxicity and the underlying mechanism. Histopathological and biochemical analysis demonstrated that both single- and multiple-treatment of EX (500 mg/kg) or GA (50 mg/kg) significantly attenuated liver damage caused by retrorsine (RTS, a representative hepatotoxic PA). The formation of pyrrole-protein adducts was significantly reduced by single- (30.3% reduction in liver; 50.8% reduction in plasma) and multiple- (32.5% reduction in liver; 56.5% reduction in plasma) treatment of GA in rats. Single- and multiple-treatment of EX also decreased the formation of pyrrole-protein adducts, with 30.2 and 31.1% reduction in rat liver and 51.8 and 53.1% reduction in rat plasma, respectively. In addition, in vitro metabolism assay with rat liver microsomes demonstrated that GA reduced the formation of metabolic activation-derived pyrrole-glutathione conjugate in a dose-dependent manner with the estimated IC50 value of 5.07 µM. Further mechanism study showed that GA inhibited activities of CYPs, especially CYP3A1, the major CYP isoform responsible for the metabolic activation of RTS in rats. Enzymatic kinetic study revealed a competitive inhibition of rat CYP3A1 by GA. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that both EX and GA exhibited significant hepato-protective effects against RTS-induced hepatotoxicity, mainly through the competitive inhibition of CYP-mediated metabolic activation of RTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangting Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Natural Products Chemistry Department, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Kei Miu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qingsu Xia
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Peter P Fu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Yang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Natural Products Chemistry Department, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Miralles P, Yusà V, León N, Coscollà C. A green analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 30 tropane and pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides in teas and herbs for infusions by LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1666:462835. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.462835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Lucatello L, Merlanti R, De Jesus Inacio L, Bisutti V, Montanucci L, Capolongo F. Pyrrolizidine alkaloid concentrations in local Italian and retail honeys of different origin: A scenario of human exposure. J Food Compost Anal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Ma J, Zhang C, He Y, Chen X, Lin G. Fasting augments pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2021; 96:639-651. [PMID: 34792613 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03193-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are phytotoxins widely present in various natural products and foodstuffs. The present study aims to investigate the effects of fasting on PA-induced hepatotoxicity and the underlying biochemical mechanisms. The results of hepatotoxic study showed that 15-h overnight fasting significantly exacerbated the hepatotoxicity of retrorsine (RTS, a representative toxic PA) in fasted rats compared to fed rats, as indicated by remarkably elevated plasma ALT and bilirubin levels and obvious liver histological changes. Further toxicokinetic studies revealed that fasting significantly enhanced cytochromes P450 enzymes (CYPs)-mediated metabolic activation of RTS leading to increased formation of pyrrole-protein adducts and thus decreased the in vivo exposure and excretion of both parent RTS and its N-oxide metabolite. Metabolic studies demonstrated that fasting induced enzyme activities of CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP2E1 that participated in catalyzing RTS to its reactive pyrrolic metabolites. Moreover, fasting also dramatically decreased hepatic glutathione (GSH) content, which restricted the detoxification of GSH by neutralizing the reactive pyrrolic metabolite of RTS, further contributing to the enhanced hepatotoxicity. The present findings may have an impact on future PA toxicity tests with different dietary styles and/or risk assessment of metabolite-mediated toxins by considering the profound effects of fasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chunyuan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xinmeng Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Ma J, Li M, Li N, Chan WY, Lin G. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid-Induced Hepatotoxicity Associated with the Formation of Reactive Metabolite-Derived Pyrrole-Protein Adducts. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:723. [PMID: 34679016 PMCID: PMC8540779 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) with 1,2-unsaturated necine base are hepatotoxic phytotoxins. Acute PA intoxication is initiated by the formation of adducts between PA-derived reactive pyrrolic metabolites with cellular proteins. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the formation of hepatic pyrrole-protein adducts and occurrence of PA-induced liver injury (PA-ILI), and to further explore the use of such adducts for rapidly screening the hepatotoxic potency of natural products which contain PAs. Aqueous extracts of Crotalaria sessiliflora (containing one PA: monocrotaline) and Gynura japonica (containing two PAs: senecionine and seneciphylline) were orally administered to rats at different doses for 24 h to investigate PA-ILI. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, hepatic glutathione (GSH) level, and liver histological changes of the treated rats were evaluated to assess the severity of PA-ILI. The levels of pyrrole-protein adducts formed in the rats' livers were determined by a well-established spectrophotometric method. The biological and histological results showed a dose-dependent hepatotoxicity with significantly different toxic severity among groups of rats treated with herbal extracts containing different PAs. Both serum ALT activity and the amount of hepatic pyrrole-protein adducts increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the elevation of ALT activity correlated well with the formation of hepatic pyrrole-protein adducts, regardless of the structures of different PAs. The findings revealed that the formation of hepatic pyrrole-protein adducts-which directly correlated with the elevation of serum ALT activity-was a common insult leading to PA-ILI, suggesting a potential for using pyrrole-protein adducts to screen hepatotoxicity and rank PA-containing natural products, which generally contain multiple PAs with different structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4054577, China; (J.M.); (M.L.); (N.L.); (W.Y.C.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mi Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4054577, China; (J.M.); (M.L.); (N.L.); (W.Y.C.)
| | - Na Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4054577, China; (J.M.); (M.L.); (N.L.); (W.Y.C.)
| | - Wood Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4054577, China; (J.M.); (M.L.); (N.L.); (W.Y.C.)
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4054577, China; (J.M.); (M.L.); (N.L.); (W.Y.C.)
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Chen Y, Li L, Xu R, Li F, Gu L, Liu H, Wang Z, Yang L. Characterization of natural herbal medicines by thin-layer chromatography combined with laser ablation-assisted direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1654:462461. [PMID: 34438305 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The characterization and quality control of natural herbal medicines, such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), is of great significance to ensure their potential efficacy and avoid severe side effects. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a simple and classic approach for examining quality marker of natural products. Nevertheless, it is more difficult to further characterize the compounds adsorbed on the TLC plate. Herein, we reported a simple setup of laser ablation-assisted direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (LA-DART-MS), in which the coupling of mass spectrometry information to provide a predominant dimension in the identification of unknown chemical compositions separated on standard TLC plates, and it was applied for rapid characterization of various kinds of natural herbal medicines. The results showed that the introduction of low-cost small laser pointer had significantly improved the desorption process. The system was successfully applied in the analysis of alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, volatile oils, glycosides, organic acids, and eight different TCMs including Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, Picrasmae Ramulus et Folium, Gynura Japonica, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Dendrobii Caulis. The obtained limits of detection (LODs) of this method for various types of reference substances were in the range of 4.6-162.2 ng/band on TLC plates. Furthermore, the quality control and identification of different species of Dendrobii Caulis herb was achieved. This study combines the advantages of TLC and ambient mass spectrometry to provide a good choice for the screening and identification of active ingredients and the quality evaluation of botanical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Linnan Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Rui Xu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fan Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lihua Gu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huwei Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhengtao Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, and SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Chen X, Ma J, He Y, Xue J, Song Z, Xu Q, Lin G. Characterization of liver injury induced by a pyrrolizidine alkaloid in rats. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 89:153595. [PMID: 34153877 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins. PA intoxication is reported to cause severe acute liver damage, typically known as hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS), but it remains obscure whether the acute liver damage may progress into chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic fibrosis. PURPOSE This study aims to characterize the biochemical markers of liver injury and histological features of regressive and progressive liver fibrosis, and to examine changes in hepatic gene expression that may underpin mechanisms of fibrogenesis in rats induced by retrorsine (RTS), a representative toxic PA. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS Rats were gavaged with RTS via two dosing regimens, i.e. a single dose of 40 mg/kg (Group 1) and two doses of 40 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg on day 0 and day 7 (Group 2), respectively. Rats receiving one (Group 3) or two (Group 4) doses of vehicle served as negative controls. The animals were followed for up to 16 weeks by serum biochemical analyses and histological examination, and gene expression assays of liver tissues. RESULTS Acute liver injury on day 2 manifested as HSOS, characterized by sinusoidal dilation, endothelial cell damage, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity and bilirubin levels. In Group 1, mild liver fibrosis developed at sinusoids and perisinusoidal space surrounding the central veins at week 1 and 2, and thereafter, all liver injury resolved gradually. In Group 2, liver fibrosis progressed within the 16-week observation period. No apparent liver injury was observed in Groups 3 and 4. Compared with negative control groups, RTS induced myofibroblastic activation, TGF-β1 signaling, and changes in expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). These dynamic changes differed in Groups 1 and 2, corresponding with the regression and progression of liver fibrosis, respectively, in these groups. CONCLUSION This study has provided in-vivo proof of concept that "one hit" and "two hits" of RTS lead to acute resolving liver injury and chronic progressive liver fibrosis, respectively. These animal models may serve as powerful tools for studying RTS toxicology and related preventive and therapeutic strategies and as positive controls for studying other PA- and non-PA-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmeng Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Junyi Xue
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zijing Song
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qihe Xu
- Renal Sciences and Integrative Chinese Medicine Laboratory, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Schramm S, Rozhon W, Adedeji-Badmus AN, Liang Y, Nayem S, Winkelmann T, Poppenberger B. The Orphan Crop Crassocephalum crepidioides Accumulates the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Jacobine in Response to Nitrogen Starvation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:702985. [PMID: 34394157 PMCID: PMC8355542 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.702985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Crassocephalum crepidioides is an African orphan crop that is used as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant. Although it is of high regional importance in Sub-Saharan Africa, the plant is still mainly collected from the wild and therefore efforts are made to promote its domestication. However, in addition to beneficial properties, there was first evidence that C. crepidioides can accumulate the highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) jacobine and here it was investigated, how jacobine production is controlled. Using ecotypes from Africa and Asia that were characterized in terms of their PA profiles, it is shown that the tetraploid C. crepidioides forms jacobine, an ability that its diploid close relative Crassocephalum rubens appears to lack. Evidence is provided that nitrogen (N) deficiency strongly increases jacobine in the leaves of C. crepidioides, that this capacity depends more strongly on the shoot than the root system, and that homospermidine synthase (HSS) activity is not rate-limiting for this reaction. A characterization of HSS gene representation and transcription showed that C. crepidioides and C. rubens possess two functional versions, one of which is conserved, that the HSS transcript is mainly present in roots and that its abundance is not controlled by N deficiency. In summary, this work improves our understanding of how environmental cues impact PA biosynthesis in plants and provides a basis for the development of PA-free C. crepidioides cultivars, which will aid its domestication and safe use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schramm
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Wilfried Rozhon
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Adebimpe N. Adedeji-Badmus
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Yuanyuan Liang
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Shahran Nayem
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Traud Winkelmann
- Woody Plant and Propagation Physiology Section, Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Brigitte Poppenberger
- Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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Zan K, Hu X, Li Y, Wang Y, Jin H, Zuo T, Ma S. Simultaneous determination of eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids in various parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and risk assessments based on a real-life exposure scenario. J Sep Sci 2021; 44:3237-3247. [PMID: 34240803 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are toxins having hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects on human health. A ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique was developed for the first time for the simultaneous determination of eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including four diastereoisomers (intermedine, lycopsamine, rinderine, and echinatine) and their respective N-oxide forms, in different parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum. The risk assessment method for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum was explored using the margin of exposure strategy for the first time based on a real-life exposure scenario. Differences were found in all eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids in various parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum. Besides, the total levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum followed the order of root > flower > stem > leaf. Moreover, the risk assessment data revealed that the deleterious effects on human health were unlikely at exposure times of less than 200, 37, and 12 days during the lifetimes of Eupatorium lindleyanum leaves, stems, and flowers, respectively. This study reported both the contents of and risk associated with Eupatorium lindleyanum pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The comprehensive application of the novel ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique alongside the risk assessment approach provided a scientific basis for quality evaluation and rational utilization of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium lindleyanum to improve public health safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zan
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowen Hu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
| | - Yaolei Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, P. R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
| | - Hongyu Jin
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
| | - Tiantian Zuo
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
| | - Shuangcheng Ma
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, P. R. China
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Liu JH, Yang H, Zhang L, Peng XR, Li ZJ, He MY, Wan LS, Li ZR, Zhou L, Liu ZH, Qiu MH. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the seeds of Scleropyrum wallichianum. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2021; 23:407-413. [PMID: 32228193 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2020.1740919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two new pyrrolizidine alkaloids, sclerwalins A and B (1 and 2), and one known 9-O-E-hydroxysenecioylretronecine (3) were first isolated from the seeds of Scleropyrum wallichianum. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive 1 D NMR and 2 D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, and ROESY), MS and IR spectra. Cytotoxicities of all isolates were evaluated against five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7 and SW480).[Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Han Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan University of TCM, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, R&D Center of China Tabacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd., Kunming 650204, China
| | - Xing-Rong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Zhen-Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, R&D Center of China Tabacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd., Kunming 650204, China
| | - Mei-Ying He
- Research Center for Development and Utilization of Tropical Agricultural Products, Yunnan Institute of Tropical Crops, Jinghong 666100, China
| | - Luo-Sheng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Zhong-Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, R&D Center of China Tabacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd., Kunming 650204, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, R&D Center of China Tabacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd., Kunming 650204, China
| | - Ming-Hua Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan University of TCM, Kunming 650500, China
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Barny LA, Tasca JA, Sanchez HA, Smith CR, Koptur S, Livshultz T, Minbiole KPC. Chemotaxonomic investigation of Apocynaceae for retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids using HPLC-MS/MS. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 185:112662. [PMID: 33774572 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Apocynaceae are well known for diverse specialized metabolites that are distributed in a phylogenetically informative manner. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) have been reported sporadically in one lineage in the family, the APSA clade, but few species have been studied to date. We conducted the first systematic survey of Apocynaceae for retronecine-type PAs, sampling leaves from 231 species from 13 of 16 major lineages within the APSA clade using HPLC-MS/MS. We also followed up preliminary evidence for infra-specific variation of PA detectability in Echites umbellatus Jacq. Four precursor ion scans (PREC) were developed for a high-throughput survey for chemicals containing a structural moiety common to many PAs, the retronecine core. We identified with high confidence PAs in 7 of 8 sampled genera of tribe Echiteae, but not in samples from the closely related Odontadenieae and Mesechiteae, confirming the utility of PAs as a taxonomic character in tribal delimitation. Occurrence of PAs in Malouetieae is reported with moderate confidence in Galactophora schomburgkiana Woodson and Eucorymbia alba Stapf, but currently we have low confidence of their presence in Holarrena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don (the one Malouetieae species where they were previously reported), as well as in Holarrena curtisii King & Gamble and in Kibatalia macrophylla (Pierre ex Hua) Woodson. Candidate PAs in some species of Wrightia R. Br. (Wrightieae) and Marsdenia R. Br. (Marsdenieae) are proposed with moderate confidence, but a subset of the compounds in these taxa presenting with a PA-like fragmentation pattern are more likely to be aminobenzoyl glycosides. Candidate PAs are reported in species with predicted (VXXXD) and unexpected (IXXXN) amino acid motifs in their homospermidine synthase-like genes. Detectability of PAs varies among samples of Echites umbellatus and intra-individual plasticity contributes to this variation. Of toxicological importance, novel potential sources of human exposure to pro-toxic PAs were identified in the medicinal plant, Wrightia tinctoria R.Br., and the food plants, Marsdenia glabra Cost. and Echites panduratus A. DC., warranting immediate further research to elucidate the structures of the candidate PAs identified. Method development and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea A Barny
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
| | - Julia A Tasca
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Hugo A Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
| | - Chelsea R Smith
- Department of Biodiversity Earth and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Tatyana Livshultz
- Department of Biodiversity Earth and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA.
| | - Kevin P C Minbiole
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
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Zhang Y, Yang FF, Chen H, Qi YD, Si JY, Wu Q, Liao YH. Analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. and their in vitro neurotoxicity. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 151:112151. [PMID: 33774095 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study was to analyze the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Eupatorium fortunei herbs and its derived finished products with a view to evaluating their effects on the proliferation and oligodendrogenesis of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Using a LC-MS/MS method with 32 PAs reference standards, 8 PAs including intermedine, intermedine N-oxide, lycopsamine, lycopsamine N-oxide, retronecine, seneciphylline and senkirkine and 7-acetylintermedine N-oxide were identified with intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide being most abundant. The total PA amounts were found to vary from 0.18 to 61.81 μg/g in 30 batches of herbs and from 0.86 to 36.96 μg/g in 4 commercial finished products, respectively. Risk assessments indicated that the short-term intake seemed unlikely lead to acute toxic effects but the chronic use warranted cautions. Using NPCs derived from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells as an in vitro testing model, intermedine, intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide appeared to decrease cell viability at 30 μM whereas intermedine N-oxide inhibited oligodendrogenesis of NPCs at 10 μM. The present results suggested that the PAs in the majority of E. fortunei herbs and the derived products not only resulted in their exposure far exceeding the acceptable intake limit (i. e. 1.0 μg PA per day for adults) in herbal medicinal products recommended by the European Medicines Agency but also induced neurotoxicity to NPCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangguang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102488, PR China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Fei-Fei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Huan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Yao-Dong Qi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Jian-Yong Si
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Qing Wu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangguang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102488, PR China.
| | - Yong-Hong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
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47
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Toxic Prediction of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Structure-Dependent Induction of Apoptosis in HepaRG Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8822304. [PMID: 33488944 PMCID: PMC7801077 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8822304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins and could cause liver genotoxicity/carcinogenicity following metabolic activation. However, the toxicity of different structures remains unclear due to the wide variety of PAs. In this study, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of 40 PAs were analyzed, and their toxicity was predicted by Komputer Assisted Technology (TOPKAT) using Discovery Studio software. The in silico results showed that all PAs except retronecine had good intestinal absorption, and all PAs were predicted to have different toxicity ranges. To verify the predictive results, 4 PAs were selected to investigate cell injury and possible mechanisms of the differentiation in HepaRG cells, including retronecine type of twelve-membered cyclic diester (retrorsine), eleven-membered cyclic diester (monocrotaline), noncyclic diester (retronecine), and platynecine type (platyphylline). After 24 h exposure, retronecine-type PAs exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. The high-content screening assay showed that cell oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and the concentration of calcium ions increased, and neutral lipid metabolism was changed notably in HepaRG cells. Induced apoptosis by PAs was indicated by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, disrupting the mitochondrial membrane potential. Overall, our study revealed structure-dependent cytotoxicity and apoptosis after PA exposure, suggesting that the prediction results of in silico have certain reference values for compound toxicity. A 1,2-membered cyclic diester seems to be a more potent apoptosis inducer than other PAs.
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He Y, Lian W, Ding L, Fan X, Ma J, Zhang QY, Ding X, Lin G. Lung injury induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloids depends on metabolism by hepatic cytochrome P450s and blood transport of reactive metabolites. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:103-116. [PMID: 33033841 PMCID: PMC8765307 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02921-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins with both hepatotoxicity and pneumotoxicity. Hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes are known to bioactivate PAs into reactive metabolites, which can interact with proteins to form pyrrole-protein adducts and cause intrahepatic cytotoxicity. However, the metabolic and initiation biochemical mechanisms underlying PA-induced pneumotoxicity remain unclear. To investigate the in vivo metabolism basis for PA-induced lung injury, this study used mice with conditional deletion of the cytochrome P450 reductase (Cpr) gene and resultant tissue-selective ablation of microsomal P450 enzyme activities. After oral exposure to monocrotaline (MCT), a pneumotoxic PA widely used to establish animal lung injury models, liver-specific Cpr-null (LCN) mice, but not extrahepatic Cpr-low (xh-CL) mice, had significantly lower level of pyrrole-protein adducts in the serum, liver and lungs compared with wild-type (WT) mice. While MCT-exposed LCN mice had significantly higher blood concentration of intact MCT, compared to MCT-exposed WT or xh-CL mice. Consistent with the MCT in vivo bioactivation data, MCT-induced lung injury, represented by vasculature damage, in WT and xh-CL mice but not LCN mice. Furthermore, reactive metabolites of MCT were confirmed to exist in the blood efflux from the hepatic veins of MCT-exposed rats. Our results provide the first mode-of-action evidence that hepatic P450s are essential for the bioactivation of MCT, and blood circulating reactive metabolites of MCT to the lung causes pneumotoxicity. Collectively, this study presents the scientific basis for the application of MCT in animal lung injury models, and more importantly, warrants public awareness and further investigations of lung diseases associated with exposure to not only MCT but also different PAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Ding
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Xinxin Ding
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
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Clinical application of pyrrole-hemoglobin adducts as a biomarker of pyrrolizidine alkaloid exposure in humans. Arch Toxicol 2020; 95:759-765. [PMID: 33210216 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02947-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring hepatotoxins widely present in hundreds of plant species and also known to contaminate many foodstuffs, such as grain, honey, and tea. The formation of pyrrole-protein adducts via metabolic activation of PAs has been suggested as a primary trigger initiating hepatotoxicity. The present study for the first time tested the suitability of pyrrole-hemoglobin adducts as a novel and specific biomarker of PA exposure in humans. The level and elimination kinetics of pyrrole-hemoglobin adducts were systematically investigated in the blood samples of 43 PA-induced liver injury (PA-ILI) patients. The results revealed significantly higher concentrations (84.50 ± 78.38 nM) and longer persistence (~ 4 months) of pyrrole-hemoglobin adducts than that (concentration: 9.53 ± 10.72 nM; persistence: ~ 2 months) of pyrrole-plasma protein adducts, our previously developed PA exposure biomarker. Our findings confirmed that pyrrole-hemoglobin adducts with higher level and longer persistence should serve as a more applicable PA exposure biomarker for future clinical diagnosis of PA-ILI in drug/herb-induced liver injury patients.
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50
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Li X, He X, Chen S, Guo X, Bryant MS, Guo L, Manjanatha MG, Zhou T, Witt KL, Mei N. Evaluation of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced genotoxicity using metabolically competent TK6 cell lines. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 145:111662. [PMID: 32798647 PMCID: PMC9969979 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-containing plants are among the most common poisonous plants affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife worldwide. A large number of PAs are known to induce genetic damage after metabolic activation. In the present study, using a battery of fourteen newly developed TK6 cell lines, each expressing a single human cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C18, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5, and 3A7), we identified specific CYPs responsible for bioactivating three PAs - lasiocarpine, riddelliine, and senkirkine. Among the fourteen cell lines, cells expressing CYP3A4 showed significant increases in PA-induced cytotoxicity, evidenced by decreased ATP production and cell viability, and increased caspase 3/7 activities. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the formation of 1-hydroxymethyl-7-hydroxy-6,7-dihydropyrrolizine (DHP), the main reactive metabolite of PAs, in CYP3A4-expressing TK6 cells. DHP was also detected in CYP3A5- and 3A7-expressing cells after PA exposure, but to a much lesser extent. Subsequently, using a high-throughput micronucleus assay, we demonstrated that PAs induced concentration-dependent increases in micronuclei and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in three CYP3A variant-expressing TK6 cell lines. Using Western blotting, we observed that PA-induced apoptosis, cell cycle changes, and DNA damage were primarily mediated by CYP3A4. Benchmark dose (BMD) modeling demonstrated that lasiocarpine, of the three PAs, was the most potent inducer of micronuclei, with a BMD100 of 0.036 μM. These results indicate that our TK6 cell system holds promise for genotoxicity screening of compounds requiring metabolic activation, identifying specific CYPs involved in bioactivation, and discriminating the genotoxic compounds that have different chemical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilin Li
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Xiaobo He
- Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Si Chen
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Matthew S. Bryant
- Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Mugimane G. Manjanatha
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Tong Zhou
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20855, USA
| | - Kristine L. Witt
- Divison of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Nan Mei
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA.
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