plants that are teratogens are described

1. Plant Teratogens
by
Dr.S.T.V.Raghavamma

2. Teratogens:
• Teratogens are defined as substances
when ingested by the mother, can cause
abnormalities in the developing fetus.
• Synthetic drug: thalidomide

3. Teratogens:
• These teratogens act for a short period
and early during gestation period.
• Hence these plant components
disappear in the offspring when the
abnormalities become apparent.

4. Teratogens:
• Teratogenic constituents of plants include:
1. Alkaloids
2. Coumarins
3. Lignans
4. Macrolides
5. Nitriles
6. Terpenoids
7. Toxic amino acids
Most of them contains nitrogen.

5. Plant source Constituent Teratogenic effects
Leguminosae:
1. Indigofera
spicata
Indospicine •Indospicine, a non-proteinogenic
analogue of arginine,
•Occurs only in indigofera plants
•Accumulates in the tissues of
animals grazing on them.
•HepG2 ctytotoxicity
•Cleft palate and embryo lethality in
rats
2. Leucaena
leucocephala-
mimosa spp.
Mimosine: Toxic to livestock, teratogenic in pigs
& rat.
4.Loco plants:
Astragalus
lentiginosus
Unknown Contains
1. Osteolathyrogens- substances
ingested through mother’s milk.
2. Teratogens causing excessive
flexure of carpal joints/
contracted tendons

6. Plant source Constituent Teratogenic effects
5. Lupinus sericeus Quinolizidine alkaloids:
cytisine anagyrine
Results in cracked calf
disease
Umbelliferae:
1.Conium maculatum
coniline •Alkaloidal teratogen,
•Results in cracked calf
disease
Compositae:
1.Senecio spp.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids:
lasiocarpine, retrorsine
teratogen in rats, utero
deaths in calves
Solanaceae:
1. Nicotiana spp.
Companulaceae
1. Lobella spp
Pyridine alkaloids Skeleton deformalitions in
pig
Sapindaceae:
Blighia sapida(Akee)
fruits &seeds
Hypoglycin A Hypoglycemic in humans,
teratogen in rats,
Twice a toxic as hypoglycin B