Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Containing Plants Bryan Stegelmeier ADVS 586 February 9, 2010 April 2009 PPRL 2010 April 2009 PPRL 2010 Pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants are the most widespread and expensive poisonous plant problem that affects plants, insects, animals and humans. April 2009 PPRL 2010 Outline Plants Toxin Metabolism Poisoning Susceptibility Clinical signs Lesions Diagnosis Current Research April 2009 PPRL 2010 PA Global Problem >6000 plants contain PA’s Most common poisonous plant affecting livestock, wildlife, and humans Invasive noxious weeds Contaminated feed, food and herbal preparations Wide range of susceptibility April 2009 PPRL 2010 Plants Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Compositae  Senecio (1200 species)  S. jacobaea (tansy ragwort)  S. vulgaris (common groundsel)  S. longilobus (threadleaf groundsel)  S. riddellii (Riddell groundsel) Fabaceae (Liguminosae)  Crotalaria (600 species)  C. sagittalis (rattlebox)  C. spectabilis (showy crotalaria)  C. retusa (wedge-leaf rattlebox)  C. pallida (smooth crotalaria)  C. juncea (sun hemp) Boraginacea  Amsinckia intermedia (tarweed)  Borago officinalis (borage)  Cynoglossum officinale (hound’s tongue)  Echium plantagineum (echium)  Echium vulgare (vipers bugloss)  Heliotropiu europaeum (heliotrope)  Symphytum officinale (comfrey) April 2009 PPRL 2010 Compositae Senecio (1200 species)  S. jacobaea (tansy ragwort)  S. vulgaris (common groundsel)  S. longilobus (threadleaf groundsel)  S. riddellii (Riddell groundsel) April 2009 PPRL 2010 Senecio jacobea April 2009 PPRL 2010 Senecio riddellii . April 2009 PPRL 2010 Senecio longilobus April 2009 PPRL 2010