Notes on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of some South African cycad species with special reference to that of Encephalartos lanatus.
The South African Encephalartos species which are known or have been shown experimentally to be toxic and/or carcinogenic are reviewed briefly. The kernel of E. lanatus, the toxic and carcinogenic principle of which is macrozamin, is a potent hepatotoxin and carcinogen when fed to rats. Renal mesenchymal tumours were the most common neoplasm to be induced but hepatocellular carcinoma also developed in one animal. The potential danger to man and animals of ingestion of the seeds of Encephalartos species is emphasized.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008637:Mesenchymoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000473:pathology*; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013019:South Africa