Lantadene A toxicity in sheep. A model for cholestasis.

Liver injury occurred after sheep were injected intravenously with the triperpene acid lantadene A, the toxic principle of the tropical plant Lantana camara. A single dose of 1--3 mg/kg of the compound caused mild hepatocellular injury characterized by transient rises in serum enzymes, with or without hyperbilirubinaemia. Higher doses resulted in hepatic necrosis. When low doses of the triterpene were given repeatedly over several days a cholestatic syndrome developed which appeared identical with that caused by consumption of the plant. This is a disease model which may be of value in experimental studies of intrahepatic cholestasis. This study provides evidence that lantadene A is hepatotoxic and does not require metabolism in the alimentray tract for toxicity in sheep.