LES CUCURBITACINES STRUCTURE, PROPRIETIE ET TOXICITE
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Date
2010
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Université Mohamed BOUDIAF de M'Sila
Abstract
Cucurbitacins are tetracyclic titerpenes with a cucurbitane skeleton and higly toxic effects. They were identified in about a hundred specices among the 900 species currently known.They are listed in several categories as glycosylated and non glycosylated cucurbitacins namely A, B, C, D, E … .. etc..
Little are the informations availble on the absorption, metabolism and exretion of the aglycone an glycosylated cucurbitacins. The toxic effects recorded in animals and humans, however, indicate that these compounds are absorbed at least to some extent.
This study provides a compilation of most studies published in last ten years on the pharmacological and biological effects of these extremely bitter substances. From these studies, it is clear that exposure of laboratory animals to cucurbitacins can lead to toxic effects However, exposure via the oral route results in less toxic effects than exposure via subcutaneously, intraperitoneally and intravenously voices .
The oral LD 50 in mice is low and is about 5 mg/kg bw for some cucurbitacins (cucurbitacin D and I ). The main tixicological effects produced by cucurbitacin D in animals appears to be an increase in capillary permeability, irritation of the intestinal mucosa and an increase in intestional motility .
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Keywords
Tetracyclic tritepenes , toxicity, metabolism, LD 50 , cucurbitacins