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Gil da Costa RM, Povey A, Medeiros-Fonseca B, Ramwell C, O'Driscoll C, Williams D, Hansen HCB, Rasmussen LH, Fletcher MT, O'Connor P, Bradshaw RHW, Robinson R, Mason J. Sixty years of research on bracken fern (Pteridium spp.) toxins: Environmental exposure, health risks and recommendations for bracken fern control. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119274. [PMID: 38821456 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Bracken fern (Pteridium spp.) is a highly problematic plant worldwide due to its toxicity in combination with invasive properties on former farmland, in deforested areas and on disturbed natural habitats. The carcinogenic potential of bracken ferns has caused scientific and public concern for six decades. Its genotoxic effects are linked to illudane-type glycosides (ITGs), their aglycons and derivatives. Ptaquiloside is considered the dominating ITG, but with significant contributions from other ITGs. The present review aims to compile evidence regarding environmental pollution by bracken fern ITGs, in the context of their human and animal health implications. The ITG content in bracken fern exhibits substantial spatial, temporal, and chemotaxonomic variation. Consumption of bracken fern as food is linked to human gastric cancer but also causes urinary bladder cancers in bovines browsing on bracken. Genotoxic metabolites are found in milk and meat from bracken fed animals. ITG exposure may also take place via contaminated water with recent data pointing to concentrations at microgram/L-level following rain events. Airborne ITG-exposure from spores and dust has also been documented. ITGs may synergize with major biological and environmental carcinogens like papillomaviruses and Helicobacter pylori to induce cancer, revealing novel instances of chemical and biological co-carcinogenesis. Thus, the emerging landscape from six decades of bracken research points towards a global environmental problem with increasingly complex health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui M Gil da Costa
- Department od Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, 65080-805, Brazil; Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Andrew Povey
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Beatriz Medeiros-Fonseca
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carmel Ramwell
- Fera Science Ltd, York Biotech Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - Connie O'Driscoll
- Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers Ltd., 1 Galway Business Park, Dangan, Galway, H91 A3EF, Ireland
| | - David Williams
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK
| | - Hans Chr B Hansen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lars Holm Rasmussen
- Novonesis, Microbe & Culture Research, Bøge Allé 10-12, DK- 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Mary T Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Health, and Food Science Precinct, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD, 4108, Australia
| | - Peter O'Connor
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard H W Bradshaw
- Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZT, UK
| | | | - James Mason
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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Kisielius V, Drejer M, Dornhoff JK, Mrkajic NS, Lindqvist DN, Hansen HCB, Rasmussen LH. Occurrence and stability of ptesculentoside, caudatoside and ptaquiloside in surface waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:277-289. [PMID: 35043811 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00364j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The illudane glycosides ptesculentoside (PTE), caudatoside (CAU) and ptaquiloside (PTA) are found in bracken ferns (Pteridium sp.). PTA is known to contaminate water bodies adjacent to bracken ferns and hence contribute to water toxicity. This study for the first time reports the presence of PTE and CAU in surface waters with concentrations up to 5.3 μg L-1 and outlines their stability under semi-natural conditions using water of two diverse lakes at their natural pH or pH adjusted to 6.5, with temperature controlled at 5 or 15 °C, and in the presence or absence of microbial activity. Under the same set of tested conditions the three illudane glycosides degraded at similar rates: with half-lives of approximately two days at pH 7.4 and 15 °C, and approximately 12 days at pH 5.2-6.5 and 5 °C. The water origin had significant influence on the degradation rates, but only due to its difference in pH. In most cases, the degradation rates of all the three illudane glycosides could be predicted using the existing first-order model for PTA hydrolysis. As PTE and CAU exhibit the same leaching pattern and stability as PTA, previous predictions of bracken environmental impact are likely underestimated, as PTE and CAU have not been monitored and included in the risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaidotas Kisielius
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Drejer
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jimmy Kjellerup Dornhoff
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Natasa Skrbic Mrkajic
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
- Greater Copenhagen Utility HOFOR, Ørestads Boulevard 35, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dan Nybro Lindqvist
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Christian Bruun Hansen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Lars Holm Rasmussen
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Aranha PCDR, Rasmussen LH, Wolf-Jäckel GA, Jensen HME, Hansen HCB, Friis C. Fate of ptaquiloside-A bracken fern toxin-In cattle. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218628. [PMID: 31226154 PMCID: PMC6588243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ptaquiloside is a natural toxin present in bracken ferns (Pteridium sp.). Cattle ingesting bracken may develop bladder tumours and excrete genotoxins in meat and milk. However, the fate of ptaquiloside in cattle and the link between ptaquiloside and cattle carcinogenesis is unresolved. Here, we present the toxicokinetic profile of ptaquiloside in plasma and urine after intravenous administration of ptaquiloside and after oral administration of bracken. Administered intravenously ptaquiloside, revealed a volume of distribution of 1.3 L kg-1 with a mean residence-time of 4 hours. A large fraction of ptaquiloside was converted to non-toxic pterosin B in the blood stream. Both ptaquiloside and pterosin B were excreted in urine (up to 41% of the dose). Oral administration of ptaquiloside via bracken extract or dried ferns did not result in observations of ptaquiloside in body fluids, indicating deglycosolidation in the rumen. Pterosin B was detected in both plasma and urine after oral administration. Hence, transport of carcinogenic ptaquiloside metabolites over the rumen membrane is indicated. Pterosin B recovered from urine counted for 7% of the dose given intravenously. Heifers exposed to bracken for 7 days (2 mg ptaquiloside kg-1) developed preneoplastic lesions in the urinary bladder most likely caused by genotoxic ptaquiloside metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Holm Rasmussen
- Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Christian Friis
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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O'Connor PJ, Alonso-Amelot ME, Roberts SA, Povey AC. The role of bracken fern illudanes in bracken fern-induced toxicities. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2019; 782:108276. [PMID: 31843140 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bracken fern is carcinogenic when fed to domestic and laboratory animals inducing bladder and ileal tumours and is currently classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC. The carcinogenic illudane, ptaquiloside (PTQ) was isolated from bracken fern and is widely assumed to be the major bracken carcinogen. However, several other structurally similar illudanes are found in bracken fern, in some cases at higher levels than PTQ and so may contribute to the overall toxicity and carcinogenicity of bracken fern. In this review, we critically evaluate the role of illudanes in bracken fern induced toxicity and carcinogenicity, the mechanistic basis of these effects including the role of DNA damage, and the potential for human exposure in order to highlight deficiencies in the current literature. Critical gaps remain in our understanding of bracken fern induced carcinogenesis, a better understanding of these processes is essential to establish whether bracken fern is also a human carcinogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J O'Connor
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - M E Alonso-Amelot
- Chemical Ecology Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - S A Roberts
- Centre for Biostatistics, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - A C Povey
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Yamada K, Ojika M, Kigoshi H. Ptaquiloside, the major toxin of bracken, and related terpene glycosides: chemistry, biology and ecology. Nat Prod Rep 2007; 24:798-813. [PMID: 17653360 DOI: 10.1039/b614160a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Bracken (Pteridium spp.) is a ubiquitous fern which has been described as one of the five most common plants on the earth. The toxic effects of bracken on livestock have been recorded since the end of the 19th century, and extensive and intensive investigations for the bracken toxin(s) led to the isolation of ptaquiloside in 1983 as the major, but unstable, toxin of bracken. This review concentrates mainly on the results of the scientific investigations into ptaquiloside, and cites 133 references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoyuki Yamada
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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Kigoshi H, Kitamura Y, Fujita T, Ohashi H, Atsumi T, Takagi J, Mutou T, Yamada K, Kusakabe T, Sasaki D, Sugiura Y. A new synthetic analogue of the bracken ultimate carcinogen: Elevation of stability and alteration of DNA alkylation site selectivity. Tetrahedron Lett 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4039(97)00572-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Diels-Alder reactions of [(S)R]-(1E,3E)-1-p-tolylsulfinyl-1,3-pentadiene: the unexpected evolution of maleic anhydride adducts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.1016/0957-4166(96)00258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Alonso-Amelot ME, Rodulfo-Baechler S, Jaimes-Espinoza R. Comparative dynamics of ptaquiloside and pterosin B in the two varieties (caudatum and arachnoideum) of neotropical Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum L. Kuhn). BIOCHEM SYST ECOL 1995. [DOI: 10.1016/0305-1978(95)00071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Chu-Moyer MY, Danishefsky SJ. On the mode of action of myrocin C: Evidence for a CC-1065 connection. Tetrahedron Lett 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4039(00)93369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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