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Bioactive Alkaloids from Plants Poisonous to Livestock in North America
Author(s) -
Green Benedict T.,
Lee Stephen T.,
Gardner Dale R.,
Welch Kevin D.,
Cook Daniel
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
israel journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.908
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1869-5868
pISSN - 0021-2148
DOI - 10.1002/ijch.201800169
Subject(s) - quinolizidine , chemistry , alkaloid , piperidine , traditional medicine , botany , tryptamine , stereochemistry , biochemistry , biology , medicine
Abstract Plants produce a multiplicity of chemical compounds which have a variety of uses including flavors, fragrances, insecticides, dyes, poisons, and pharmaceutical agents. In this review, we focus on plant alkaloids from the genera Delphinium, Lupinus, Conium, Nicotiana, Veratrum , and selected plant endophyte derived alkaloids. Alkaloids discussed include norditerpenoid alkaloids which act as antagonists to block the ligand binding sites of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause acute toxicosis in adult animals which can result in death. The inhibition of fetal movement and resulting fetal defects caused by quinolizidine and piperidine alkaloids, the inhibition of the hedgehog ( Hh ) signaling pathway by Veratrum alkaloids, and compounds derived from fungal endophytes that form symbioses with plant hosts will be also be discussed. The bioactivity of these alkaloids makes them useful tools for research and in human and veterinary medicine or potentially harmful toxins.