[Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and seneciosis in farm animals. Part 1: occurrence, chemistry and toxicology].
Abstract: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids belong to a class of phytotoxins which are present in more than 6000 plant species. The disease seneciosis in farm animals represents the severe poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids from plants of the genus Senecio. This form of poisoning has been known since the end of the 19th century in Germany, the USA, Canada and New Zealand, and is mainly caused by Senecio jacobaea and related Senecio spp. in farm animals, including poultry. Animal poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids is of worldwide importance. In Germany poisoning of horses and cattle by Senecio jacobaea, which was earlier named Schweinsberg disease, is of renewed relevance for veterinary medicine. The disease occurs almost entirely as a consequence of chronic poisoning and in general ends fatally. The ultimate cause is the formation of toxic metabolites of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver, and their covalent binding to nucleic acids and proteins leading to liver cirrhosis. Because many pyrrolizidine alkaloids possess mutagenic, and a few also carcinogenic properties, European and international authorities are concerned about possible residue levels in food of animal origin. The review addresses in its first part several aspects, being the occurrence, the chemistry, and the toxicology of pyrrolizidine alkaloids as well as animal intoxications by poisonous plants. In the second part (46) clinical characteristics of animal seneciosis, the therapeutic interventions, the significant species differences and a critical assessment of so-called nontoxic amounts of Senecio plants in animal fodder with reference to cumulative lethal toxin doses are presented.
Publication Date: 2011-12-06 PubMed ID: 22138830
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article explores the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (phytotoxins) in more than 6000 plant species, and their severe poisoning effects on farm animals, specifically in relation to Senecio plants. The study also addresses the worldwide concern of these toxins and their potentially fatal impacts, including their links to liver cirrhosis and their mutagenic, carcinogenic properties.
Occurrence and Chemistry of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are phytotoxins found in over 6000 plant species, notably in the genus Senecio, which includes species such as Senecio jacobaea.
- These alkaloids are identified as the primary cause of seneciosis disease in farm animals, which is a severe form of poisoning.
- Seneciosis has been recognized in various countries since the end of the 19th century, including Germany, the USA, Canada, and New Zealand, and affects a range of farm animals, including poultry.
Toxicology of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Animal Intoxication
- The poisoning from Pyrrolizidine alkaloids is of international importance due to its widespread occurrence and severe impact on farm animals.
- These toxins ultimately lead to the creation of harmful metabolites in the liver, binding covalently to nucleic acids and proteins causing cirrhosis and often ending fatally.
- Some Pyrrolizidine alkaloids also possess mutagenic properties, with a few even exhibit carcinogenic attributes, leading to growing concerns about potential residue levels in animal-derived foods.
Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Interventions
- The second part of the review discusses clinical characteristics of animal seneciosis and therapeutic interventions for treatment.
- The research also investigates the species differences in responses to the toxins, the potential for fatal doses resulting from supposed non-toxic amounts of Senecio plants in animal feed, and critique the common practices around these levels in livestock management.
Cite This Article
APA
Petzinger E.
(2011).
[Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and seneciosis in farm animals. Part 1: occurrence, chemistry and toxicology].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 39(4), 221-230.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. ernst.petzinger@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Plant Poisoning / etiology
- Plant Poisoning / mortality
- Plant Poisoning / veterinary
- Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / chemistry
- Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / poisoning
- Senecio / poisoning
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Yao J, Li CG, Gong LK, Feng CC, Li CZ, Gao M, Luan Y, Qi XM, Ren J. Hepatic cytochrome P450s play a major role in monocrotaline-induced renal toxicity in mice.. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2014 Feb;35(2):292-300.
- Boldrin P, Resende F, Höhne A, de Camargo M, Espanha L, Nogueira C, Melo M, Vilegas W, Varanda E. Estrogenic and mutagenic activities of Crotalaria pallida measured by recombinant yeast assay and Ames test.. BMC Complement Altern Med 2013 Sep 4;13:216.
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