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Alkaloids potential health Benefits and toxicity
Published in Quan V. Vuong, Utilisation of Bioactive Compounds from Agricultural and Food Waste, 2017
Renée A. Street, Gerhard Prinsloo, Lyndy J. McGaw
Tropane alkaloids (TAs) are among the plant toxins with potential health risks to humans. The term tropane alkaloids refers to a group of over 200 compounds renowned for their occurrence in the family Solanaceae. Of special interest are the Datura species which readily synthesize high amounts of tropane alkaloids. One of the most notorious poisonous plants is Datura stramonium L., a wild-growing herb commonly known as Jimson weed (Adegoke and Alo 2013, Sanlidag et al. 2014). Plants of the genus Datura are often abused for their hallucinogenic properties, resulting in acute poisoning and even death (Boumba et al. 2004, Diker et al. 2007). Datura species produce numerous tiny seeds encapsulated in apple-shaped fruit capsules. Upon release, the seeds have been found as noteworthy impurities in soybean and linseed products, introducing a variable amount of tropane alkaloids into the feed material (Alexander et al. 2008). Another notorious TA-containing plant is the perennial Atropa belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade. It contains toxic TAs in all parts, the more dangerous of which are the berries owing to their attractive appearance and sweet taste (Beyer et al. 2009).
Antibacterial, cytotoxicity and biodegradability studies of polycaprolactone nanofibers holding green synthesized Ag nanoparticles using atropa belladonna extract
Published in Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2022
Muhammed Onur Avci, Nedim Muzoglu, Aysel Ersoy Yilmaz, Binboga Siddik Yarman
Atropa belladonna is a perennial herb belonging to the Solanaceae family and has a very intensive source of tropane alkaloids. This plant includes tropane alkaloids, atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine and anisodamine. Atropine is the important chemical of this plant and is mostly found in its leaves and black fruits. The leaves, fruits, stems and roots of this plant have been used in the treatment of many diseases such as joint pain, muscle spasms, brain, eye and acute inflammation, scarlatina, pancreatitis and neurological disorders [10,39]. In addition, atropa belladonna is included in over-the-counter medications that are not approved by the FDA for human use and it is used as a sedative to stop spasms such as cough, cold, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, Parkinson’s disease (PD), neuralgia, and rheumatism [40]. As a result of chemical studies, it has been revealed that these plants also have strong antioxidant and anti-cancer properties [41]. Considering the enormous medicinal significance of atropa belladonna, AgNPs have been produced by green synthesis using its extract and successful studies have been conducted on their therapeutic potential [10,42]. Many active ingredients are found in atropa belladonna play an important role as reducing and covering agents. The current study aims to reveal the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of biodegradable PCL nanofibers doped with AgNPs biosynthesized using atropa belladonna extract, which has therapeutic potential.
An exploration on the toxicity mechanisms of phytotoxins and their potential utilities
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2022
Huiling Chen, Harpreet Singh, Neha Bhardwaj, Sanjeev K. Bhardwaj, Madhu Khatri, Ki-Hyun Kim, Wanxi Peng
Alkaloids produce toxicity by changing enzyme activity, which affects cell physiology, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Because alkaloids can intercalate with DNA, they can affect the neuromuscular system (Yang & Stöckigt, 2010). There are around 20,000 different alkaloid molecules, and their toxicity and mode of action differ considerably with their structure. For example, pyrrolizidine alkaloids transform themselves into pyrroles to induce the alkylation of DNA and proteins. Moreover, they can induce tumors in humans, along with pulmonary abnormalities and liver damage (Moreira et al., 2018). Quinolone and iso-quinolone alkaloids inhibit cell division and DNA synthesis, whereas the indole-based alkaloids inhibit nucleic acid synthesis by affecting the activity of the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme (Cushnie et al., 2014; Shimshoni et al., 2015). Accidental ingestion of toxic alkaloids can have teratogenic effects through intoxication. Tropane alkaloids have traditionally been used for medicinal and hallucinogenic effects. However, they can also cause weakness in vision, dilation of the pupils, constipation, and poisoning (Afewerki et al., 2019). The common glycoalkaloids solanine and chaconine, isolated from Solanum spp., can cause neurological impairment by inhibiting the activity of acetyl choline neurotransmitters and Ca2+ transport across membranes (Yamashoji & Matsuda, 2013). To protect human and animal health, information about the biochemistry, toxicology, and pharmacology of plant-produced alkaloids is greatly needed.
The use of Brugmansia arborea as a green corrosion inhibitor for AISI 1018 carbon steel in acid media
Published in Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2021
Adriana Rodríguez Torres, María Guadalupe Valladares Cisneros, Jorge Uruchurtu Chavarín, Cecilia Cuevas Arteaga, María Aurora Veloz Rodríguez
Brugmansia arborea is commonly known in Mexico as Floripondio, it is a native plant of South America and it belongs to the Solanaceae family (19). This family is known for producing alkaloids, tropane particularly, which is widely used in traditional medicine due to its anticholinergic properties (20). Figure 1 shows some of the chemical compounds that have been reported for B. arborea, which are: hyoscyamine (I), anisodamine (II) and scopolamine (III); this last compound is considered of great commercial value due to its pharmacological activity and minor side effects (21). Some heteroatoms such as N and O, as well as the presence of π-electrons in carbon–carbon double bonds in the chemical compounds of B. arborea, make it a potential corrosion inhibitor. Therefore, in the present work, extract of B. arborea with acetone, hexane and methanol was tested as corrosion inhibitor of 1018 steel in acid media.