Genotoxic carcinogenicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids: relevance of potency factors for the risk assessment.

ABSTRACT: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids represent a large group of substances synthesized as secondary plant metabolites. The subgroup of the 1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) can induce acute and chronic liver toxicity in humans and livestock, and many of them are considered to be genotoxic and carcinogenic. Currently, the risk assessment is based on carcinogenicity data for the relatively potent PA riddelliine, and on the assumption that all PAs, regardless of their chemical structure, have the same potency. However, results from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the severity of the effects depends on the alkaloids' structure and, thus, varies for different congeners. To align the concept of potency factors with risk assessment, we analysed the available studies and selected those t

SUBMITTER: Sachse B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858451 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature