Carcinogenic effects of ptaquiloside in bracken fern and related compounds
2000
Carcinogenic Effects of Ptaquiloside in Bracken Fern
Sample size: 31
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Potter D M, Baird M S
Primary Institution: Department of Chemistry, University of Wales, Bangor
Hypothesis
Does the consumption of bracken fern lead to carcinogenic effects in animals?
Conclusion
The study confirms that ptaquiloside from bracken fern is a potent carcinogen that can induce cancers in cattle and potentially other animals.
Supporting Evidence
- Consumption of bracken fern has been linked to bladder and intestinal cancers in cattle.
- Nineteen out of 31 ferns tested contained potentially carcinogenic ptaquilosides.
- Ptaquiloside has been proven to be a potent carcinogen.
Takeaway
Eating bracken fern can make animals sick and cause cancer because of a harmful chemical called ptaquiloside.
Methodology
Chemotaxonomic methods were used to test for the presence of ptaquilosides in various ferns.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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