EFSA Compendium of Botanicals

Draft - work in progress

Gloriosa superba L.

Family:: Colchicaceae
Approval state:: Approved
Number of articles retrieved:: 510
Number of processed references:: 9

Compositions

#1: Colchicine in tubers #2: Steroids in stem and leaves #3: Alkaloids in stem and leaves #4: Saponins in stem and leaves #5: alkaloids (roots) #6: tannins (roots)

Endpoint Studies

#1: A single dose of watery tuber extract had a toxic impact on gastro-intestinal tract of rats. #2: Dose-dependent increases in organ weights of testes and prostata and testosterone levels in male rats after p.o. administration of extracts of aerial parts for 15 days. #3: diarrhoea abdominal, pain. vomiting #4: Poisioning after intake of the tuber. First gastrointestinal disturbances. Later CNS effects. #5: Reductions in number of pups born #6: Case report after intake of tuber: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness and later death. #7: Poisoning after ingestion of two tubers. Acute effect: vomiting and watery diarrhoea, fever and hepatomegaly. followed by icterus, leukopaenia with few reactive lymphocytes and thrombocytopaenia. Hair loss began day 9 and he was totally alopecic by day 14. #8: A massive alopecia in 21-year old woman after consumption of boiled tubers (misidentified as Ipomoea batatas). Affected gastro-intestinal tract, blood presure and pulse. Prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Genotoxicity

Composition #1: Kageyama, Tomoko., Takahashi, Makoto., Maeda, Tomoyuki., Shimamoto, Sayaka., Yokoyama, Reiko., Owada, Kazuhiro., Sakane, Yumiko., Yamamoto, Masatoshi. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of colchicine using LC/MS(/MS) and HPLC in the case of poisoning by tuber of Gloriosa superba linnaeus. shizuoka-ken kankyo eisei kagaku kenkyusho hokoku, 2007, vol. 50, p. 41–44. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Result unit:

Milligram/gram (G060A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

0.6
Internal remarks:

Colchicine in tubers

Composition #2: Pare, S. R., Zade, V. S., Thakare, V. G. Evaluation of the potential aphrodisiac activity of aqueous, chloroform and alcohol extract of Gloriosa superba in male albino rat. international journal of theoretical and applied sciences, 2014, vol. 6, no. 2), 39-4, p. 8 pp. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

water, chlorform or alcohol
Substance:

Steroids (RF-00000309-VET)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Steroids in stem and leaves

Composition #3: Pare, S. R., Zade, V. S., Thakare, V. G. Evaluation of the potential aphrodisiac activity of aqueous, chloroform and alcohol extract of Gloriosa superba in male albino rat. international journal of theoretical and applied sciences, 2014, vol. 6, no. 2), 39-4, p. 8 pp. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

water, chlorform or alcohol
Substance:

Alkaloids (RF-00004360-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Alkaloids in stem and leaves

Composition #4: Pare, S. R., Zade, V. S., Thakare, V. G. Evaluation of the potential aphrodisiac activity of aqueous, chloroform and alcohol extract of Gloriosa superba in male albino rat. international journal of theoretical and applied sciences, 2014, vol. 6, no. 2), 39-4, p. 8 pp. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

water, chlorform or alcohol
Substance:

Saponins (RF-00004333-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Saponins in stem and leaves

Composition #5: Malpani, Arati A., Aswar, Urmila M., Kushwaha, Shiv K., Zambare, G. N., Bodhankar, S. L. Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Gloriosa superba Linn (Langli) Roots on Reproductive System and Cardiovascular Parameters in Female Rats . tropical journal of pharmaceutical research, 2011, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 169–176. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts (as part-nature) (A067M)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

petroleum ether
Substance:

Alkaloids (RF-00004360-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

alkaloids (roots)

Composition #6: Malpani, Arati A., Aswar, Urmila M., Kushwaha, Shiv K., Zambare, G. N., Bodhankar, S. L. Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Gloriosa superba Linn (Langli) Roots on Reproductive System and Cardiovascular Parameters in Female Rats . tropical journal of pharmaceutical research, 2011, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 169–176. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts (as part-nature) (A067M)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

petroleum ether
Substance:

Tannins (RF-00004337-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

tannins (roots)

Endpoint study #1: Jayatilaka, A. D. P., Balasubramaniam, K., Dunuwille, R., Bibile, S. W. Histological studies of the gastrointestinal tract of the rat after poisoning with tuber of Gloriosa superba. ceylon journal of medical science, 1967, vol. 16(1-2), p. 11–17. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

Water extract of tubers
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: DRINKING WATER (OECD2229PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

10
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

10
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

digestive: Stomach (TT027A)
Effect description:

10 rats received a single dose of watery extract of the tuber. All the rats developed diarrhea after administration. Post-mortem findings indicate dilated stomach. The small intestines were contracted, the mucosa was congested. Haemorrhage observed.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

gross pathology (CHD022BE)
Internal remarks:

A single dose of watery tuber extract had a toxic impact on gastro-intestinal tract of rats.

Endpoint study #2: Pare, S. R., Zade, V. S., Thakare, V. G. Evaluation of the potential aphrodisiac activity of aqueous, chloroform and alcohol extract of Gloriosa superba in male albino rat. international journal of theoretical and applied sciences, 2014, vol. 6, no. 2), 39-4, p. 8 pp. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

water, chlorform or alcohol
Type of toxicological test:

short-term toxicity (CHD017TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: GAVAGE (OECD2231PL)
Exposure duration:

15.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

6
Control groups used:

yes, concurrent vehicle
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (G211A)
Effect concentration:

100
Critical effect:

ENDOCRINE (TOX12A)
Target tissue:

urogenital: Testes (TT050A)
Effect description:

Dose-dependent increases in testes and prostate weights and testosterone levels
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

organ weights (CHD012BE)
Internal remarks:

Dose-dependent increases in organ weights of testes and prostata and testosterone levels in male rats after p.o. administration of extracts of aerial parts for 15 days.

Endpoint study #3: Lucas, G. N. Plant poisoning: A hospital-based study in Sri Lanka. indian journal of pediatrics, 1997, vol. 64, no. 4, p. 495–502. DOI: 10.1007/BF02737755. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

16
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

digestive: Liver (TT023A)
Effect description:

Poisoning due to ingested the seeds of Datura fastuosa.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

other (CHD003BE)
Internal remarks:

diarrhoea abdominal, pain. vomiting

Endpoint study #4: Gooneratne, Inuka Kishara., Weeratunga, Praveen., Caldera, Manjula., Gamage, Ranjanie. Toxic encephalopathy due to colchicine--Gloriosa superba poisoning.. practical neurology, 2014, vol. 14, no. 5, p. 357–9. DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2013-000753. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

NEUROTOXICITY (TOX04A)
Target tissue:

neurologic: Brain (TT034A)
Effect description:

Acute effect: abdominal pain, diarrhoea and profuse vomiting. Day 5: tonic-clonic seizures, Later: encephalopathy: bilateral T2 hyperintensities in the basal ganglia
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

neurology (CHD027BE)
Internal remarks:

Poisioning after intake of the tuber. First gastrointestinal disturbances. Later CNS effects.

Endpoint study #5: Malpani, Arati A., Aswar, Urmila M., Kushwaha, Shiv K., Zambare, G. N., Bodhankar, S. L. Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Gloriosa superba Linn (Langli) Roots on Reproductive System and Cardiovascular Parameters in Female Rats . tropical journal of pharmaceutical research, 2011, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 169–176. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts (as part-nature) (A067M)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

Petroleum ether
Type of toxicological test:

reproduction toxicity (CHD009TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Exposure duration:

7.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

5
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (G211A)
Effect concentration:

50
Critical effect:

REPRODUCTIVE (TOX05A)
Target tissue:

urogenital: Uterus (TT052A)
Effect description:

Reductions in number of pups born
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

reproduction (CHD014BE)
Internal remarks:

Reductions in number of pups born

Endpoint study #6: Babu, Y. P. Raghavendra., Manjunath, S., Bakkannavar, Shankar M., Acharya, Jenash., Kumar, G. N. Pramod. Colchicine poisoning: a case report and review of literature. medicine science and the law, 2012, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 205–206. DOI: 10.1258/msl.2012.012025. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Exposure duration:

2.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per day (G233A)
Effect concentration:

300
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

digestive: Liver (TT023A)
Effect description:

abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and dizziness later death
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Case report after intake of tuber: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness and later death.

Endpoint study #7: Premaratna, Ranjan., Weerasinghe, Mindu S., Premawardana, Nuwan. P., de Silva, H. Janaka. Gloriosa superba poisoning mimicking an acute infection- a case report. bmc pharmacology & toxicology, 2015, vol. 16 . DOI: 10.1186/s40360-015-0029-6. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Target tissue:

digestive: Liver (TT023A)
Effect description:

Ingested Two tubers: Acute effect: vomiting and watery diarrhoea, fever and hepatomegaly. followed by icterus, leukopaenia with few reactive lymphocytes and thrombocytopaenia. Hair loss began day 9 and he was totally alopecic by day 14.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

other (CHD003BE)
Internal remarks:

Poisoning after ingestion of two tubers. Acute effect: vomiting and watery diarrhoea, fever and hepatomegaly. followed by icterus, leukopaenia with few reactive lymphocytes and thrombocytopaenia. Hair loss began day 9 and he was totally alopecic by day 14.

Endpoint study #8: GOONERATNE, BW. MASSIVE GENERALIZED ALOPECIA AFTER POISONING BY GLORIOSA SUPERBA. bmj-british medical journal, 1966, vol. 1, no. 5494, p. 1023–+. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Roots and other underground parts used as staple food (as part-nature) (A0F5F)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Thermal treatment (heating for preservation) (A07HR)
Additional plant/substance description:

Tubers boiled
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligram (G155A)
Effect concentration:

350
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

Skin/subcutis (TT056A)
Effect description:

A 21-year old woman unconscious with history of vomiting and diarrhea. High pulse rate and low blood pressure upon admission. Subconjunctival hemorrhage in eye. Prolonged menstrual bleeding. Alopecia with a drop of axillary and pubic hair.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

growth (CHD009BE)
Internal remarks:

A massive alopecia in 21-year old woman after consumption of boiled tubers (misidentified as Ipomoea batatas). Affected gastro-intestinal tract, blood presure and pulse. Prolonged menstrual bleeding.