Work

Targeted and Untargeted Mass Spectrometry Do Not Detect Grayanane-Type Toxins in Monotropa uniflora L.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Monotropa uniflora L. (“ghost pipe”), is a North American traditional medicinal plant which has recently seen an increase in consumption nationwide. However, a single 1889 study reported the presence of grayanotoxin I in M. uniflora, generating controversy regarding its safety. It is essential to revisit this claim of toxicity given Monotropa uniflora ’s resurgence in popularity. We applied more sensitive analytical techniques to determine the possible presence of grayanotoxins in a diverse sampling of M. uniflora, using mass spectrometry and MS 2 -based molecular networking. Across 50 M. uniflora samples, neither grayanotoxins nor structural analogues were detected, refuting the earlier analysis.

Source: Journal of Natural Products

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5c00805

Authors: Savannah G. Anez, Daghan B. Flail, Eric P. Burkhart, Joshua J. Kellogg

Institution: Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Plant-based Medicinal Research

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green