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Yang N, Guo J, Zhang J, Gao S, Xiang Q, Wen J, Huang Y, Rao C, Chen Y. A toxicological review of alkaloids. Drug Chem Toxicol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38465444 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2024.2326051] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds with complex structures found in natural plants. To further improve the understanding of plant alkaloids, this review focuses on the classification, toxicity and mechanisms of action, providing insight into the occurrence of alkaloid-poisoning events and guiding the safe use of alkaloids in food, supplements and clinical applications. Based on their chemical structure, alkaloids can be divided into organic amines, diterpenoids, pyridines, isoquinolines, indoles, pyrrolidines, steroids, imidazoles and purines. The mechanisms of toxicity of alkaloids, including neurotoxicity, hepatoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity, have also been reviewed. Some cases of alkaloid poisoning have been introduced when used as food or clinically, including accidental food poisoning, excessive consumption, and poisoning caused by the improper use of alkaloids in a clinical setting, and the importance of safety evaluation was illustrated. This review summarizes the toxicity and mechanism of action of alkaloids and provides evidence for the need for the safe use of alkaloids in food, supplements and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiafu Guo
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Song Gao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiwen Xiang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayu Wen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chaolong Rao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- R&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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