Interdisciplinary Research on Plants Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Of the approximately 350 known representatives of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) group, around 100 are acutely and chronically hepatotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic. PA are produced by a large number of higher plants, with a particular prevalence in the Asteraceae and Boraginaceae families. Highly toxic PA are found in the genera Senecio and Jacobea.

As part of joint activities between the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry to detect PA in ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, syn. Senecio jacobaea), plant material was collected in the area around the "Coesfelder Kreuz" and the Leonardo Campus of the University of Münster, identified, and taken to the laboratories for further analytical investigations. Another species identified was narrow-leaved ragwort (Senecio inaequidens).

The team was surprised by just how abundant these poisonous plants are across the campus. It was a successful and cheerful start to the research week!