Assessment of neurotoxicity of monocrotaline, an alkaloid extracted from Crotalaria retusa in astrocyte/neuron co-culture system.

Studies have shown cases of poisoning with plants from the genus Crotalaria (Leguminosae) mainly in animals. They induce damages in the central nervous system (CNS), which has been attributed to toxic effects of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) monocrotaline (MCT). Previously we demonstrated that both MCT and dehydromonocrotaline (DHMC), its main active metabolite, induce changes in the levels and patterns of expression of the main protein from astrocyte cytoskeleton, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).