Comparative Risk Assessment of Three Native Heliotropium Species in Israel

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are genotoxic carcinogenic phytotoxins mostly prevalent in the Boraginaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae families. Heliotropium species (Boraginaceae) are PA-producing weeds, widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, that have been implicated with lethal intoxications in livestock and humans. In Israel, H. europaeum, H. rotundifolium and H. suaveolens are the most prevalent species. The toxicity of PA-producing plants depends on the PA concentration and composition. PAs occur in plants as mixtures of dozens of various PA congeners. Hence, the risk arising from simultaneous exposure to different congeners has to be evaluated. The comparative risk evaluation of the three Heliotropium species was based on recently proposed interim relative potency (iREP) factors, which take into account certain structural features as well as in vitro and in vivo toxicity data obtained for several PAs of different classes. The aim of the present study was to determine the PA profile of the major organ parts of H. europaeum, H. rotundifolium and H. suaveolens in order to assess the plants' relative toxic potential by utilizing the iREP concept. In total, 31 different PAs were found, among which 20 PAs were described for the first time for H. rotundifolium and H. suaveolens. The most prominent PAs were heliotrine-N-oxide, europine-N-oxide and lasiocarpine-N-oxide. Europine-N-oxide displayed significant differences among the three species. The PA levels ranged between 0.5 and 5% of the dry weight. The flowers of the three species were rich in PAs, while the PA content in the root and flowers of H. europaeum was higher than that of the other species. H. europaeum was found to pose a higher risk to mammals than H. rotundifolium, whereas no differences were found between H. europaeum and H. suaveolens as well as H. suaveolens and H. rotundifolium.

St. John's Wort inhibits adipocyte differentiation and induces insulin resistance in adipocytes

Adipocytes are insulin sensitive cells that play a major role in energy homeostasis. Obesity is the primary disease of fat cells and a major risk factor for the development of Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity and its related disorders result in dysregulation of the mechanisms that control adipocyte gene expression and function. To identify potential novel therapeutic modulators of adipocytes, we screened 425 botanical extracts for their ability to modulate adipogenesis and insulin sensitivity. We observed that less than 2% of the extracts had substantial effects on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Two of the botanical extracts that inhibited adipogenesis were extracts from St. John's Wort (SJW). Our studies revealed that leaf and flower, but not root, extracts isolated from SJW inhibited adipogenesis as judged by examining PPARgamma and adiponectin levels. We also examined the effects of these SJW extracts on insulin sensitivity in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Both leaf and flower extracts isolated from SJW substantially inhibited insulin sensitive glucose uptake. The specificity of the observed effects was demonstrated by showing that treatment with SJW flower extract resulted in a time and dose dependent inhibition of insulin stimulated glucose uptake. SJW is commonly used in the treatment of depression. However, our studies have revealed that SJW may have a negative impact on adipocyte related diseases by limiting differentiation of preadipocytes and significantly inducing insulin resistance in mature fat cells.

Rosemary contact dermatitis and cross-reactivity with other labiate plants

Rosemary, a plant belonging to the labiate family, is frequently used in the making of cosmetics and also for medicinal purposes. There are few reported cases of contact dermatitis due to this plant. Here we present 1 case and asses the existence of cross-reactivity with plants from the same family. 53-year-old man with several episodes of a pruritic and erythematous eruption that resulted in peeling of the skin, after applying rosemary alcohol, on the chest reported. Epicutaneous tests were done with the standard European series (GEIDC), with the commercial plant series (Bial-Aristegui) and with plants from the labiate family. Results were positive for 3 of 4 labiate species tested. we present a case of rosemary contact dermatitis, where we have found cross-reactivity with 3 of 4 species tested from the same family.

[When the flower battles make tears...]

Presentation of a case of workplace induced asthma in a person who prepared bouquets of mimosa for the Carnival of Nice and bouquets destined for export.

Work-related asthma-like symptoms among florists

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of work-related asthma-like symptoms and possible risk factors among florists in Turkey.

METHODS

We collected questionnaire data from 128 florists, and investigated occupational history and respiratory, ocular, dermal, and nasal symptoms. We evaluated pulmonary function tests with spirometry and atopy by using the skin-prick test. Possible risk factors were analyzed by age-adjusted, smoking-adjusted, and gender-adjusted logistic regression models comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

RESULTS

The prevalence of work-related asthma-like symptoms was 14.1% (18 patients). We observed excess risk with a high work intensity (odds ratio [OR], 7.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 51.8) and long work duration (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 21.6). Florists with work-related asthma-like symptoms were 5.9 times more likely (95% CI, 1.4 to 24.3) to have a positive skin test response to a flower mix allergen. We also observed an excess risk for work-related asthma-like symptoms among those with allergic rhinitis (OR, 13.2; 95% CI, 3.1 to 56.4) and conjunctivitis (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.4 to 29.2).

CONCLUSION

The most prominent risk factors in florists were work intensity, work duration, and specific atopy.

Occupational contact dermatitis to hydrangea

Two female commercial hydrangea growers, from separate nurseries, presented with similar hand and facial dermatitis. Both had a hand dermatitis affecting particularly the first three fingers and backs of both hands and complained of a recurrent facial dermatitis affecting the forehead, around both the eyes and bridge of nose. They related their dermatitis to their work. Patch tests confirmed allergy to all components of hydrangeas including petal, leaf and stem. Avoidance resulted in resolution of their dermatoses. Allergy to hydrangeas has been reported previously although infrequently.