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<p>Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs) from Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae, and Apocynaceae cause toxicity in humans and livestock across Africa, while serving as herbivore defenses. This first Africa-focused review analyzes PA diversity, chemotaxonomy, and ecological patterns in African flora, drawing from the African Natural Products Database (ANPDB) and literature (1940–2024) via Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. A presence–absence matrix of 161 characterized PAs across 91 species (19 genera) from Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae underwent hierarchical clustering (Jaccard distance, R v4.4.0, vegan package). Apocynaceae producers (e.g., <i>Alafia</i> pyrrolizidines A-C) were documented qualitatively due to incomplete characterization and excluded from quantitative analysis. Clustering reveals robust family-level patterns (<i>Senecio</i>-dominated Asteraceae via macrocyclic diesters like Senecionine and Seneciphylline), Boraginaceae subclade diversity, and <i>Crotalaria</i> (Fabaceae) structural versatility. Cross-family convergence (e.g., <i>Trichodesma africanum</i> with <i>Crotalaria mildbraedii</i>) and <i>Crotalaria</i>’s mixed PA types (macrocyclic/open-chain diesters, monoesters) suggest parallel evolution, horizontal transfer, or biosynthetic plasticity. Ecologically, PAs mediate herbivore defense and specialist insect sequestration across African ecosystems. Despite ethnopharmacological uses, PA hepatotoxicity (e.g., 1,2-unsaturated necine bases) demands surveillance, especially in contaminated crops/honey. Findings affirm PA profiles as taxonomic markers and highlight the need for integrated chemical ecology research for African food safety and biodiversity conservation.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Chemotaxonomy and Ecological Role of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: A Comprehensive Review of the Case Study of Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月7日

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  • Fritz Mukow Nsanyi,
  • Joel O. Onoja,
  • Fidele Ntie-Kang,
  • Andrew E. Egbe

摘要

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs) from Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae, and Apocynaceae cause toxicity in humans and livestock across Africa, while serving as herbivore defenses. This first Africa-focused review analyzes PA diversity, chemotaxonomy, and ecological patterns in African flora, drawing from the African Natural Products Database (ANPDB) and literature (1940–2024) via Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. A presence–absence matrix of 161 characterized PAs across 91 species (19 genera) from Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae underwent hierarchical clustering (Jaccard distance, R v4.4.0, vegan package). Apocynaceae producers (e.g., Alafia pyrrolizidines A-C) were documented qualitatively due to incomplete characterization and excluded from quantitative analysis. Clustering reveals robust family-level patterns (Senecio-dominated Asteraceae via macrocyclic diesters like Senecionine and Seneciphylline), Boraginaceae subclade diversity, and Crotalaria (Fabaceae) structural versatility. Cross-family convergence (e.g., Trichodesma africanum with Crotalaria mildbraedii) and Crotalaria’s mixed PA types (macrocyclic/open-chain diesters, monoesters) suggest parallel evolution, horizontal transfer, or biosynthetic plasticity. Ecologically, PAs mediate herbivore defense and specialist insect sequestration across African ecosystems. Despite ethnopharmacological uses, PA hepatotoxicity (e.g., 1,2-unsaturated necine bases) demands surveillance, especially in contaminated crops/honey. Findings affirm PA profiles as taxonomic markers and highlight the need for integrated chemical ecology research for African food safety and biodiversity conservation.

Graphical Abstract