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Schrenk D, Allemang A, Fahrer J, Harms H, Li X, Lin G, Mahony C, Mulder P, Peijnenburg A, Pfuhler S, Punt A, Sievers H, Troutman J, Widjaja F. Toxins in Botanical Drugs and Plant-derived Food and Feed - from Science to Regulation: A Workshop Review. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:219-242. [PMID: 38198805 DOI: 10.1055/a-2218-5667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In September 2022, the 3rd International Workshop on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and related phytotoxins was held on-line, entitled 'Toxins in botanical drugs and plant-derived food and feed - from science to regulation'. The workshop focused on new findings about the occurrence, exposure, toxicity, and risk assessment of PAs. In addition, new scientific results related to the risk assessment of alkenylbenzenes, a distinct class of herbal constituents, were presented. The presence of PAs and alkenylbenzenes in plant-derived food, feed, and herbal medicines has raised health concerns with respect to their acute and chronic toxicity but mainly related to the genotoxic and carcinogenic properties of several congeners. The compounds are natural constituents of a variety of plant families and species widely used in medicinal, food, and feed products. Their individual occurrence, levels, and toxic properties, together with the broad range of congeners present in nature, represent a striking challenge to modern toxicology. This review tries to provide an overview of the current knowledge on these compounds and indicates needs and perspectives for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Schrenk
- Food Chemistry and Toxicology, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ashley Allemang
- Central Product Safety, The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason, USA
| | - Jörg Fahrer
- Food Chemistry and Toxicology, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Henrik Harms
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Bonn, Germany
| | - Xilin Li
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, USA
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Catherine Mahony
- Central Product Safety, Procter & Gamble Technical Centre, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Mulder
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad Peijnenburg
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Pfuhler
- Central Product Safety, The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason, USA
| | - Ans Punt
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - John Troutman
- Central Product Safety, The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason, USA
| | - Frances Widjaja
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Hungerford NL, Zawawi N, Zhu T(E, Carter SJ, Melksham KJ, Fletcher MT. Analysis of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Stingless Bee Honey and Identification of a Botanical Source as Ageratum conyzoides. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:40. [PMID: 38251258 PMCID: PMC10819179 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010040] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Stingless bee honeys (SBHs) from Australian and Malaysian species were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and the corresponding N-oxides (PANOs) due to the potential for such hepatotoxic alkaloids to contaminate honey as a result of bees foraging on plants containing these alkaloids. Low levels of alkaloids were found in these SBHs when assessed against certified PA standards in targeted analysis. However, certain isomers were identified using untargeted analysis in a subset of honeys of Heterotrigona itama which resulted in the identification of a PA weed species (Ageratum conyzoides) near the hives. The evaluation of this weed provided a PA profile matching that of the SBH of H. itama produced nearby, and included supinine, supinine N-oxide (or isomers) and acetylated derivatives. These PAs lacking a hydroxyl group at C7 are thought to be less hepatoxic. However, high levels were also observed in SBH (and in A. conyzoides) of a potentially more toxic diester PA corresponding to an echimidine isomer. Intermedine, the C7 hydroxy equivalent of supinine, was also observed. Species differences in nectar collection were evident as the same alkaloids were not identified in SBH of G. thoracica from the same location. This study highlights that not all PAs and PANOs are identified using available standards in targeted analyses and confirms the need for producers of all types of honey to be aware of nearby potential PA sources, particularly weeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L. Hungerford
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia or (N.Z.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Norhasnida Zawawi
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia or (N.Z.); (M.T.F.)
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Tianqi (Evonne) Zhu
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia or (N.Z.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Steve J. Carter
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia; (S.J.C.); (K.J.M.)
| | - Kevin J. Melksham
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia; (S.J.C.); (K.J.M.)
| | - Mary T. Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia or (N.Z.); (M.T.F.)
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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Lin F, Zhao L, Wang Y, Ye Y, Liu J. Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Two Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Lasiocarpine and Heliotrine in Rats. PLANTA MEDICA 2023; 89:571-579. [PMID: 36170857 DOI: 10.1055/a-1915-5456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lasiocarpine (LAS) and heliotrine (HEL) are two different ester types of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): open-chain diester and monoester. However, the pharmacokinetics of these two types of PAs in rats have not been reported. In the present study, two LC-MS/MS methods for determining LAS and HEL were established and validated. The methods exhibited good linearity, accuracy, and precision and were then applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study. After intravenous administration to male rats at 1 mg/kg, the AUC0-t values of LAS and HEL were 336 ± 26 ng/mL × h and 170 ± 5 ng/mL × h. After oral administration at 10 mg/kg, the AUC0-t of LAS was much lower than that of HEL (18.2 ± 3.8 ng/mL × h vs. 396 ± 18 ng/mL × h), while the Cmax of LAS was lower than that of HEL (51.7 ± 22.5 ng/mL × h vs. 320 ± 26 ng/mL × h). The absolute oral bioavailability of LAS was 0.5%, which was significantly lower than that of HEL (23.3%). The results revealed that the pharmacokinetic behaviors of LAS differed from that of HEL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Lin
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Ye
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Mukhtar M, Saleem M, Nazir M, Riaz N, Shafiq N, Saleem H, Tauseef S, Khan S, Ehsan Mazhar M, Bakhsh Tareen R, Habib ur Rahman Mahmood M, Imran Tousif M, Chandra Ojha S. Identification of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Flavonoid Glycosides Through HR-LCMS/MS Analysis, Biological Screening, DFT and Molecular Docking Studies on Heliotropium dasycarpum Ledeb. ARAB J CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.104655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
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Bioassay-directed analysis-based identification of relevant pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:2299-2317. [PMID: 35610518 PMCID: PMC9217854 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03308-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are produced by various plant species and have been detected as contaminants in food and feed. Monitoring programmes should include PAs that are present in relevant matrices and that exhibit a high toxic potential. The aim of the present study was to use a bioassay-directed analysis approach to identify relevant PAs not yet included in monitoring programmes. To that end, extracts of Heliotropium europaeum and H. popovii were prepared and analysed with LC–MS/MS for the presence of 35 PAs included in monitoring programmes, as well as for genotoxic activity in the HepaRG/γH2AX assay. Europine, heliotrine and lasiocarpine were found to be the most abundant PAs. The extracts showed a higher γH2AX activity than related artificial mixtures of quantified known PAs, which might point to the presence of unknown toxic PAs. The H. europaeum extract was fractionated and γH2AX activities of individual fractions were determined. Fractions were further analysed applying LC–Orbitrap-MS analysis and Compound Discoverer software, identifying various candidate PAs responsible for the non-explained genotoxic activity. Altogether, the results obtained show that bioassay-directed analysis allows identification of candidate PAs that can be included in monitoring programmes.
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