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Aliphatic nitro compounds in Astragalus lusitanicus Lam
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Astragalus lusitanicus contains toxic aliphatic nitro compounds, posing a significant poisoning risk to sheep. These compounds were detected in plant samples, confirming the legume
Area of Science:
- Veterinary toxicology
- Plant science
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Astragalus lusitanicus is a legume known to be toxic to mammals.
- Annual sheep poisonings and deaths are attributed to the consumption of this plant.
- Aliphatic nitro compounds are suspected toxins in Astragalus species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and quantify aliphatic nitro compounds in Astragalus lusitanicus.
- To confirm the presence of toxins responsible for sheep poisoning.
- To compare toxin levels with other toxic Astragalus species.
Main Methods:
- Detection of aliphatic nitro compounds using colormetry with Griess-ilosvay reagent.
- Analysis of plant extracts using thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
- Examination of both frozen plant samples and aqueous/methanolic extracts.
Main Results:
- Nitro compounds were detected in frozen Astragalus lusitanicus samples.
- Thin-layer chromatography identified two distinct compounds in aqueous extracts.
- One or two distinct nitro compounds were identified in methanolic extracts.
Conclusions:
- Astragalus lusitanicus contains toxic aliphatic nitro compounds.
- The detected concentrations are comparable to those found in toxic North American Astragalus species.
- This study confirms the chemical basis for the reported toxicity of Astragalus lusitanicus to sheep.