First study on the pyrrolizidine alkaloids of Pardoglossum cheirifolium (L.) E.Barbier & Mathez.: GC-MS analysis of their volatile components in the whole plant

Rapid on-site identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal medicines using miniature mass spectrometry

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring plant toxins with significant multi-organ toxicity, especially hepatotoxicity. Accidental consumption of PAs-containing herbal medicines can lead to severe health consequences, emphasizing the need for rapid and effective detection methods to ensure medicinal safety. In this study, we developed a novel on-site rapid analytical method using paper capillary spray miniature mass spectrometry (PCS-mini MS), and created a database containing 34 different PAs with a detection limit ranging from 0.5 to 2 ng mL-1. This method is particularly suitable for identifying PAs in herbal medicines, the accuracy of PCS-mini MS was validated through high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the method's environmental impact was assessed using three green evaluation tools, demonstrating its compliance with green analytical chemistry principles, highlighting both efficiency and sustainability. This study provides a convenient and precise approach for regulating the herbal medicine market, enabling quick identification of toxic plants and reducing the risk of adverse health effects from herb misidentification. In the future, this method is expected to be widely adopted for clinical applications and market regulation of herbal products.

Systematic appraisals of naturally occurring alkaloids from medicinal plants

Alkaloids are a complex class of biologically active compounds with a broad spectrum of health-related applications. Particularly the alkaloids of indole, steroidal, terpenoids, isoquinoline, and bisbenzylisoquinoline have been extensively investigated. Ultimately, substantial advancement has been highlighted in the investigation of chemical constituents and the therapeutic benefits of plant alkaloids, particularly during the last ten years. A total of 386 alkaloids have been isolated from over 40 families, including Apocynaceae, Annonaceae, Rubiaceae, Menispermaceae, Ranunculaceae, Buxaceae, Papaveraceae, Magnoliaceae, Rutaceae and Phyllanthaceae. This paper will investigate several alkaloids that have been isolated from botanical medicines as well as offer an in-depth analysis of their cytotoxic properties.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids as Hazardous Toxins in Natural Products: Current Analytical Methods and Latest Legal Regulations

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are toxic compounds that occur naturally in certain plants, however, there are many secondary pathways causing PA contamination of other plants, including medicinal herbs and plant-based food products, which pose a risk of human intoxication. It is proven that chronic exposure to PAs causes serious adverse health consequences resulting from their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. This review briefly presents PA occurrence, structures, chemistry, and toxicity, as well as a set of analytical methods. Recently developed sensitive electrochemical and chromatographic methods for the determination of PAs in honey, teas, herbs, and spices were summarized. The main strategies for improving the analytical efficiency of PA determination are related to the use of mass spectrometric (MS) detection; therefore, this review focuses on advances in MS-based methods. Raising awareness of the potential health risks associated with the presence of PAs in food and herbal medicines requires ongoing research in this area, including the development of sensitive methods for PA determination and rigorous legal regulations of PA intake from herbal products. The maximum levels of PAs in certain products are regulated by the European Commission; however, the precise knowledge about which products contain trace but significant amounts of these alkaloids is still insufficient.

Mass spectrometric analysis strategies for pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in food and natural preparations have received widespread attention due to their hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, and embryotoxicity. Mass spectrometry (MS), as a high resolution, high sensitive, and high throughput detection tool, has been the most commonly used technique for the determination of PAs. The continuous advancement of new technologies, methods, and strategies in the field of MS has contributed to the improvement of the analytical efficiency and methodological enhancement of PAs. This paper provides an overview of the structure, toxicity properties and commonly employed analytical methods, focusing on the concepts, advances, and novel techniques and applications of MS-based methods for the analysis of PAs. Additionally, the remaining challenges, future perspectives, and trends for PA detection are discussed. This review provides a reference for toxicological studies of PAs, content monitoring, and the establishment of quality control and safety standards for herbal and food products.

Rinderidine and oblongifolidine new pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Rindera oblongifolia M. Popov and their absolute configurations

The alkaloid composition of Rindera oblongifolia was studied, in which the pyrrolizidine alkaloids echinatine and trachelanthamine N-oxide, as well as two new quaternary salts namely rinderidine and the oblongifolidine were isolated. The structures of the isolated new alkaloids were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of lindelofine, trachelanthamine N-oxide, rinderidine and oblongifolidine was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction as: 1 R, 4 R, 8 R, 2'S, 3'R; 1 R, 4S, 8S, 2'S, 3'R; 4 R, 7S, 8 R, 2'S, 3'S; 4 R, 7S, 8 R, 2'S, 3'S (7''S, 8''R) respectively. Both new pyrrolizidine alkaloids showed no cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines such as HeLa, НEр-2, HBL-100 and CCRF-CEM.

Analysis and chemotaxonomic significance of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from two Boraginaceae species growing in Algeria

In the current study the pyrrolizidine alkaloid profiles of the species Echium sabulicola ssp. decipiens (Pomel) Klotz and Solenanthus lanatus DC were studied in various extracts. In addition, a chemotaxonomic study within the genus and the family was carried out. The analysis was carried out by using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and by comparing the Kovats Indices and molecular and fragment ions with literature data. Twenty-three alkaloids were tentatively identified. The results showed the presence of already reported compounds as well as previously unreported ones leading both to a confirmation of the botanical classification of the two studied species and to a brand new path in the chemotaxonomy of Boraginaceae family. The presence of some pyrrolizidine alkaloids sets limits for the usage of these plants for medicinal purposes. The identified compounds confirm the botanical classification of the studied species as members of the Boraginaceae family and their presence advices against their use in the ethnopharmacological field.