Full Name: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Synonyms: PAs
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are plant toxins produced by species in the Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae families. Hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize them into reactive pyrroles, causing DNA cross-linking, hepatotoxicity, and veno-occlusive disease. Their structure features a necine base ring esterified with necic acids.