Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and toxic microelements in the above-ground parts of Nonea rossica (Boraginaceae)

Nonea rossica Steven – a perennial herbaceous plant of the Boraginaceae family and herbal drug preparations obtained from it are of interest as they exhibit indirect anticoagulant properties, antimicrobial and antifungal activity. At the same time, it is known that Boraginaceae species contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that have a hepatotoxic effect, which makes it difficult to use preparations made from these plants. Along with alkaloids, the toxicity of herbal preparations is also determined by toxic trace elements. The objective of the research was to study the toxic components in the above-ground parts of N. rossica. The composition and content of alkaloids were determined by HPLC. Quantitative determination of trace element content was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The analyses determined the presence of pyrrolizidine enantiomers intermedine and lycopsamine and their derivatives; their total content in plant raw materials was less than 20000 μg/kg. The content of such toxic elements as As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Be, Sr, Sb, Tl, and U does not exceed legally permissible concentrations.