The Identification of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid-Containing Plants - A Study on 20 Herbs of the Compositae Family

Twenty Chinese medicinal herbs of the Compositae family were investigated for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Of these, only the Eupatorium species were shown to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloid. The amount present was found to vary with species, parts of the plant used, purchase sources and extraction methods. Possible toxicity from the use of these herbs is discussed.