Detection of the Hepatotoxins, Carboxyparquin and Parquin, in Cestrum, Sessea, and Vestia Species (Solanaceae).

Several species within the tribe Cestreae have been implicated in causing hepatotoxicity in livestock. Cestrum, Sessea, and Vestia are three genera that compose the tribe Cestreae within the family Solanaceae. Herein, we screen 42 Cestrum species in addition to 4 Sessea species and 1 Vestia species for the presence of carboxyparquin and parquin using herbarium specimens by high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS). The toxic principles, carboxyparquin and/or parquin, were detected in four Cestrum species, Sessea brasiliensis, Sessea vestioides, and Vestia foetida which are reported to be hepatotoxic to livestock. Additionally, these toxic principles were detected in an additional 18 Cestreae species that have not yet been associated with toxicity in grazing livestock. The presence of carboxyparquin and parquin was sporadic in some species ranging from 25%-100% of the specimens surveyed. No association was found between the phylogenetic relationships of the Cestrum species and the occurrence of carboxyparquin and parquin. Documenting the toxic principles of different species is a critical first step in assessing the poisoning risk of these plants to animals.