Studies on the alkaloid composition of the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Argyreia nervosa, a common legal high.
Seeds from the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Argyreia nervosa of different origin and labelling and with allegedly high levels of ergot alkaloids were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS/MS) technique. Lysergic acid amide (LSA), ergometrine, lysergol/elymoclavine/setoclavine, chanoclavine, lysergic acid and their respective stereoisomers were identified as well as penniclavine and lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide. In addition, methylergometrine, methysergide, and lysergylalanine were detected, some high molecular weight ergot alkaloid derivatives and hydroxyalanine derived ergopeptide fragments were detected indicating the presence of ergopeptides in the seeds. The results of the study demonstrate that the content of ergot alkaloids in Argyreia nervosa seeds depends on the quality of the material. For a consumer the quality of the seeds is unforeseeable. For the toxicological expert it is essential to investigate not only the identity of such a confiscated seed material, but also the various ergot alkaloid constituents to assess the hazardous nature and the toxic potential of the material.
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Electronic address: paulke@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
Alexander
A
Paulke
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Christian
C
Kremer
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Cora
C
Wunder
Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Frankfurt/Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Mario
M
Wurglics
Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Frankfurt/Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Manfred
M
Schubert-Zsilavecz
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Stefan W
SW
Toennes
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003132:Commerce; D027722:Convolvulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D012639:Seeds
D004876:Ergot Alkaloids
Argyreia nervosa; Ergometrine; Ergopeptides; Ergot alkaloids; Legal highs; Lysergic acid amide; Peptide alkaloids