Determination of toxicity in rabbits and corresponding detection of monofluoroacetate in four Palicourea (Rubiaceae) species from the Amazonas state, Brazil

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) Vol. 109; pp. 42 - 44
• Main Authors: de L. Carvalho, Fabricio K., Cook, Daniel, Lee, Stephen T., Taylor, Charlotte M., Soares Oliveira, Jefferson Bruno, Riet-Correa, Franklin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2016
• Subjects: Animals; ataxia (disorder); Balancing; Brazil; Breathing; cattle; Death; exercise; Farms; Fluoroacetates - toxicity; fluoroacetic acid; Monofluoroacetate; Muscles; Nitidella; Palicourea; Poisonous plants; Rabbits; Rubiaceae; Rubiaceae - classification; Sudden death; Toxicity; Brazil; Poisonous plants; Palicourea; Monofluoroacetate; Sudden death; Rubiaceae
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.11.009

Numerous monofluoroacetate (MFA)-containing plants in Brazil cause sudden death syndrome precipitated by exercise in livestock, which is characterized by loss of balance, ataxia, labored breathing, muscle tremors, and recumbence leading to death. Four species of Palicourea collected at six farms were tested for the presence of MFA and their toxicity to rabbits. Palicourea longiflora and Palicourea barraensis contained MFA and caused sudden death in the rabbits. Palicourea croceoides and Palicourea nitidella did not contain MFA and were not toxic to rabbits. P. longiflora and P. barraensis were collected at three farms with a history of sudden death in their cattle. This is the first report of toxicity in regard to these two species.
•In Northern Brazil poisoning by monofluoracetate-containing plants is the main cause of death in adult cattle.•We demonstrated that Palicourea longiflora and Palicourea barraensis are toxic to rabbits, and contain monofluoracetate.•For the first time P. longiflora and P. barraensis are associated with sudden deaths in cattle.•Palicourea croceoide and Palicourea nitidella were non-toxic for rabbits and do not contain monofluoracetate.