Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Symphytum officinale L. and their percutaneous absorption in rats.
An analysis of a commercial sample of Symphyti radix originating from Poland with a total alkaloid content of 0.07% revealed the presence of 7 pyrrolizidine alkaloid-N-oxides: 7-acetyl intermedine, 7-acetyl lycopsamine as the main constituents and lycopsamine, intermedine, symphytine and traces of 2 further not yet identified alkaloids. The percutaneous absorption of these alkaloids was investigated in rats, using a crude alcoholic extract of the plant corresponding to a dose of 194 mg alkaloid-N-oxides/kg b.wt. The excretion of N-oxides in the urine during 2 days was in the range of 0.1-0.4% of the dose. The dermally absorbed N-oxides are not or only to a small extent converted to the free alkaloids in the organism. The oral application led to a 20-50 times higher excretion of N-oxides and free alkaloids in the urine.
D000818:Animals; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis*; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D012869:Skin Absorption
D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids