Fatal pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning of infants caused by adulterated Senecio coronatus

F J Van Schalkwyk; M A Stander; M Nsizwane; A Mathee; B-E Van Wyk

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110680

Fatal pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning of infants caused by adulterated Senecio coronatus

Forensic Sci Int. 2021 Mar:320:110680. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110680. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Authors

F J Van Schalkwyk¹, M A Stander², M Nsizwane³, A Mathee³, B-E Van Wyk⁴

Affiliations

¹ Mass Spectrometry Unit, Central Analytical Facility, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa.
² Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa; Mass Spectrometry Unit, Central Analytical Facility, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa.
³ Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 33461004
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110680

Abstract

Senecio coronatus (known as izonkozonko and ubulibazi in Zulu) is commonly used in traditional medicine in South Africa as purification purgative and enemas for infants during weaning. We show for the first time that this species does not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids and that reported cases of fatal hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in infants were caused by wrongly identified Senecio species containing large amounts of retrorsine-N-oxide. A validated ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the detection and quantitation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is described.

Keywords: LCMS; Pyrrolizidine alkaloids; Retrorsine-N-oxide; Senecio coronatus; Traditional medicine; UPLC-MS/MS.

MeSH terms

Chromatography, Liquid
Forensic Toxicology
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / chemically induced
Humans
Infant
Medicine, African Traditional*
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / analysis*
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / poisoning*
Senecio / chemistry*
South Africa
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Weaning

Substances

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
isatidine