Euploca ovalifolia

Safety & Hazards

Cases of poisoning of sheep and goat in Sudan have been reported, and a fatal liver disease of horses in Australia has been attributed to Euploca ovalifolia as well^[1]. In southern Africa Euploca ovalifolia is suspected to be the cause of the ‘floppy trunk syndrome’, a lethal affliction in elephants^[1]. In Nigeria, the plant is considered to be poisonous, causing diarrhoea and vomiting^[1]. No specific reports have been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported^[1].