Hepatotoxicity in Cattle Associated withDiterpenes, including 7-Hydroxyrhyacophiline, a New Seco-Clerodane Diterpene.

Abstract

A case of baled alfalfa hay contaminated with multiple weeds induced hepatotoxicity and death in cattle. The hepatotoxic compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation using a mouse model and identified as salviarin, salvianduline D, rhyacophiline, and 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline. The structure of 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline has not been previously reported. All compounds were found to induce severe acute hepatic necrosis within 24-48 h after a single oral dosage (260-280 mg/kg). The identified diterpenes are known to be found among differentspecies which led to finding dried plant parts ofwithin bales of weedy hay and subsequently a population ofwas found along the field edges and irrigation ditch banks of the alfalfa hay field. It was thus determined thatwas responsible for the hepatotoxicity observed in cattle fed the contaminated hay.