Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Lam.) C. Jeffrey subsp. bourbonensis C. Jeffrey (syn. Faujasia flexuosa (Lam) Baker var. subcordata Cordem)

Abstract : A total of 136 mg of alkaloidal extract from leaves and 70 mg from stems of the endemic plant Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Lam) C. Jeffrey subsps. bourbonensis C. Jeffrey (syn. Faujasia flexuosa (Lam) Baker var. subcordata Cordem) growing on Réunion island was investigated for their content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The plant is used traditionally against dysentery, diabetes and asthma. Our investigation showed that fourteen pyrrolizidine alkaloids are contained in F. flexuosa. Two of them (senecionine and seneciphylline) show toxic side-effects. Therefore, medical preparations from this plant should only be used under strong restrictions.