Heliotropium indicum L. (Boraginaceae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of pneumonia, liver disease and ulcer. In the present study, we have investigated the hepatotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) contained in H. indicum. Plant materials were collected from 10 different locations in Taiwan. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were isolated from the aqueous acid extracts of the above ground whole plant (stems, leaves, flowers and roots) by use of strong cation-exchange, solid-phase extraction (SCE-SPE). The sensitive analysis of PAs was identified from plant material by gas-chromatogra phy mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method and included: indicine, lycopsamine, Unknown PA and 3’-acetylindicine / 3'- acetyllycopsamine. Quantification of the individual PA was determined by six-point linear regression curves in the range of 50-400 μg/mL of monocrotaline, methyl stearate as an internal standard examined. PAs were found in all plant organs with the highest level in the flower. Indicine figured as a major PA in H. indicum. The estimated total content of toxic PAs in H. indicum was 1.95 μg/g herb (dry weigh basis), which was significantly higher than that (?1 μg/g herb) recommended by USA and Germany not to be used clinically. Thus, the current finding of the presence of toxic PAs in H. indicum challenges the safety of using this herb.
