Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants of Mongolia, Nepal and Tibet
Roeder, E.; Wiedenfeld, H.
Die Pharmazie 64(11): 699-716
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-7144 PMID: 20099513 Document Number: 637685
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are widely distributed in many plant families. Most of them are hazardous for humans and domestic animals. PA also occur in many medicinal plants. This is of importance because in Western countries the use of plants or preparations of them is more and more increasing. Especially plants of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have increased in popularity. Similarly, people are also focused on medicinal plants from other traditional medicines. Nowadays the Traditional Mongolian Medicine (TMM), the Traditional Nepalese Medicine (TNM), and the Tibetan System of Medicine (TSM) are becoming more and more of interest. In those countries application of those phytopharmaceutics is based on its traditional use but a scientific investigation--especially for possible toxic side-effects--is often missing. This paper gives an overview on traditionally used plants from Nepal, Mongolia and Tibet with respect to its content or its possible content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.