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Acta veterinaria Hungarica2009; 57(1); 183-196; doi: 10.1556/AVet.57.2009.1.18

A biological hazard of our age: bracken fern [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn]–a review.

Abstract: Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is the fifth most distributed common weed species of the world. Its ecological distribution is very wide, and the plant can grow and spread successfully on many types of soil. The cover of P. aquilinum is--in some cases--remarkable (e.g., in the United Kingdom). Bracken fern contains different poisonous agents: some cyanogen glycosides, factors (agents) of antithiamine character (thermolabile thiaminase and thermostable other compounds) and factors of carcinogenic activity (first of all ptaquiloside). This paper summarises and reviews different toxicological problems and poisonings caused by bracken fern in ruminants (cattle, sheep) and in non-ruminant animals (horses, pigs, rats, mice, etc.). The carcinogenic properties of the norsesquiterpene-type ptaquiloside make bracken fern a potent, living hazard. Recent investigations have shown that ptaquiloside pollution of different soil layers is a distinct possibility. Ptaquiloside may leach from the soil into the drinking water base. This ecotoxicological aspect seems to be the most hazardous phenomenon in relation to P. aquilinum and ptaquiloside. The carcinogenic effect of ptaquiloside is based on its hydrolysis, which leads to the formation of a dienon intermediate. It can produce DNA adducts, which are responsible for inducing carcinoma.
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Publication Date: 2009-05-22 PubMed ID: 19457786DOI: 10.1556/AVet.57.2009.1.18Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research paper provides a thorough review of the potential dangers posed by the Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), a common and widespread plant species. It emphasizes on its toxic properties, particularly the carcinogenic compound ptaquiloside, and the health risks posed to various animals and possible contamination of water sources.

Overview of Bracken Fern

  • The Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is highlighted as the fifth most common weed species around the world, capable of thriving in a wide range of soils and areas, specifically noted in the United Kingdom.
  • It constitutes various poisonous agents, including some cyanogen glycosides, antithiamine factors such as thermolabile thiaminase and thermostable other compounds, and carcinogenic agents mainly ptaquiloside.

Toxicity in Animals

  • The research discusses the harmful impact of Bracken fern on both ruminants (cattle, sheep) and non-ruminant animals (horses, pigs, rats, mice, etc.), emphasizing on the different toxicological problems and poisonings it causes.
  • The plant’s high toxicity is attributed to its supply of the carcinogenic compound ptaquiloside which makes it a significant biological hazard.

Environmental Implications

  • Bracken fern does not only pose a direct health concern to animals but also a potential risk to the environment, especially the water sources. Recent investigations, as noted in the paper, indicate that ptaquiloside might pollute different soil layers and can possibly contaminate the drinking water base through leaching. This ecotoxicological issue is deemed as the deadliest phenomenon related to P. aquilinum and ptaquiloside.
  • Highlighting the specific mechanistic action, the authors state that the carcinogenic impact of ptaquiloside stems from its hydrolysis. This process produces a dienon intermediate, which can lead to the formation of DNA adducts that induce carcinoma.

The paper serves as a comprehensive review detailing the threats of Bracken fern, underlining the need for further research and the development of preventive measures to curb its toxic effects on animals and potential contamination of the environment.

Cite This Article

APA
Vetter J. (2009). A biological hazard of our age: bracken fern [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn]–a review. Acta Vet Hung, 57(1), 183-196. https://doi.org/10.1556/AVet.57.2009.1.18

Publication

Acta veterinaria Hungarica
ISSN: 0236-6290
NlmUniqueID: 8406376
Country: Hungary
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 1
Pages: 183-196

Researcher Affiliations

Vetter, János
  • Department of Botany, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, P.O. Box 2, H-1400 Budapest, Hungary. Vetter.Janos@aotk.szie.hu

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Diseases / etiology
  • Animals
  • Pteridium / poisoning
  • Pteridium / toxicity

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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  3. Vetter J. The Norsesquiterpene Glycoside Ptaquiloside as a Poisonous, Carcinogenic Component of Certain Ferns. Molecules 2022 Oct 7;27(19).
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  4. Waret-Szkuta A, Jégou L, Lucas MN, Gaide N, Morvan H, Martineau GP. A case of eagle fern (Pteridium aquilinum) poisoning on a pig farm. Porcine Health Manag 2021 Jan 4;7(1):2.
    doi: 10.1186/s40813-020-00185-9pubmed: 33397490google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1093/aob/mcaa006pubmed: 31956911google scholar: lookup
  8. Hornok S, Mester A, Takács N, Baska F, Majoros G, Fok É, Biksi I, Német Z, Hornyák Á, Jánosi S, Farkas R. Sarcocystis-infection of cattle in Hungary. Parasit Vectors 2015 Feb 4;8:69.
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  10. Kato-Noguchi H, Kato M. Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn-A Review of Its Toxicology, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry. Plants (Basel) 2026 Feb 3;15(3).
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  11. Sierra LM, Feito I, Rodríguez ML, Velázquez A, Cué A, San-Juan-Guardado J, Martín M, López D, Peña AE, Canga E, Ramos G, Majada J, Alvarez JM, Fernández H. Toxic Threats from the Fern Pteridium aquilinum: A Multidisciplinary Case Study in Northern Spain. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jul 24;26(15).
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  12. Keskin F, Noone H, Dickman MJ, Allen E, Mulcrone WD, Rasmussen LH, Bruun Hansen HC, O'Connor PJ, Povey AC, Margison GP, Williams DM. Bracken Fern Carcinogen, Ptaquiloside, Forms a Guanine O(6)-Adduct in DNA. J Agric Food Chem 2025 Jan 15;73(2):1053-1061.
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  13. Malík M, Mika OJ, Navrátilová Z, Killi UK, Tlustoš P, Patočka J. Health and Environmental Hazards of the Toxic Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (Bracken Fern). Plants (Basel) 2023 Dec 20;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/plants13010018pubmed: 38202326google scholar: lookup
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