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Bioriginal
Food & Science Corp. © 1999
(Monograph)
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Bio
FAQs
Current Issues |
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Pyrrolizidine
Alkaloids and Borage Oil
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| What are pyrrolizidine alkaloids? |
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Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) are a group of more than 200 alkaloid
compounds1 commonly found in flowering plant families such as
fabaceae, boraginaceae and asteraceae2. PAs
share a common chemical structure that consists of a nitrogen-containing
double ring. They differ from one another in the number and type of
attached chemical groups, as well as the degree of saturation in the
double ring system. PAs are believed to function in the plant as a form
of defence3. Every plant organism produces a significant
number of chemicals that are critical for their survival. Without the
production of these specific chemicals, which include toxins, the plant
would be destroyed by elements of nature, such as insects and grazing
animals.
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| Are pyrrolizidine alkaloids harmful? |
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Of the more than 200 PAs, approximately 100 are believed to display
potentially harmful effects. These effects are attributed to the
chemical structure of the PA. In general, saturated PAs (absence of
double bonds in the double-ringed structure) are harmless; however,
unsaturated PAs are suspected to cause certain liver conditions4.
PA-induced conditions are most likely to occur if plants containing low
levels of PAs are consumed over an extended period1. Although
potentially harmful, PA-containing plants may have many beneficial
properties if properly used under the care of a health professional.
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| Are pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in the borage plant? |
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PA s have in fact been identified in the leaf, flower, and seed of the
borage plant (boraginiceae). However, it is important to note
that PAs have NEVER been found in borage seed oil. Due to the presence
of nitrogen in the double ring system, PAs are soluble in both water and
alcohol, but are NOT soluble in the oil. PAs identified in the plant
parts are predominantly a harmless saturated PA known as thesinine;
however, small amounts of the potentially harmful, unsaturated PA
amabiline have been detected in leaves and seed4. Studies
have shown that the total alkaloid amount in the plant, relative to dry
weight, is less than 0.001%2. Further studies have
substantiated the absence of PAs in borage oil4.
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| Is borage oil safe to consume? |
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Absolutely. Borage oil is one of the richest sources of the essential
fatty acid GLA, an essential nutrient with many health benefits. PAs are
not present in the oil, therefore, it is perfectly safe for consumption.
As a matter of fact, the German legislation has indicated that the
ingestion of 10g of borage oil per day does not present any health risk5.
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| References |
1. Foster S. (1993). FDA Exaggerates Risks of Herbs. health Foods
Business. Aug; 39(8): 22-23.
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2. Roeder E. (1995). Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine
alkaloids. Pharmazie.
Feb; 50(2): 83-98.
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3. Robins
D.J. (1995). Pyrrolizidine
alkaloids. Natural Products Reports, pp. 413-418.
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4. Dodson C.D. and Stermitz F.R. (1986). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from
borage (Borago officinalis) seeds and flowers. J. Nat. Prod. 49(4):
727-728.
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5. Parvais
O., Stricht B.V., Vanhaeln-Fastre R., and Vanhaelen M. (1994). TLC detection of
pyrrolizidine alkaloids in oil extracted from the seeds of Borago
officinalis. Journal of Planar Chromatography. 7: 80-82.
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| Disclaimer |
This
information is provided in good faith as educational material. It is the
customer's responsibility to check the suitability of the material under
FDA (DSHEA), HPB, and/or any other rules regarding the use of this
material. Bioriginal is not responsible for compliance to various rules
regarding the use of this literature as promotional material |
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