title: Enrichment of a fraction toxic to guinea-pigs from Pachystigma pygmaeum (Schltr.) Robyns.
abstract: Pachystigma pygmaeum is one of several species of rubiaceous plants which cause delayed heart failure among ruminants after their ingestion at relatively high doses. Using guinea-pigs for toxicity determinations, we were able to separate and enrich a toxic fraction from a fermentation extract of the plant material by countercurrent distribution. It contained virtually no potassium salts, passed through a 500 dalton selective membrane, exhibited lability under acid conditions and was toxic at 1 g/kg per os, with a delayed response of 3-4 days.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000032:analysis*; D013019:South Africa; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014118:Toxins, Biological