Elusive Toxin in Cleistanthus collinus Causing Vasoconstriction and Myocardial Depression: Detailed NMR Analyses and Biological Studies of Cleistanthoside A

Cleistanthus collinus leaf extracts are consumed for suicidal purposes in southern India. The boiled decoction is known to be more toxic than the fresh leaf juice. Although several compounds have been isolated and their toxicity tested, controversy remains as to which compounds are responsible for the high level of toxicity of C. collinus. We report herein that cleistanthoside A is the major toxin in the boiled aqueous extract of fresh leaves and causes death in rats in small doses. The toxicity of the boiled extract prepared in the manner described can be attributed entirely to cleistanthoside A. Cleistanthin A could also be isolated from the boiled extract, albeit in trace amounts. As hypotension not responding to vasoconstrictors is the cause of death in patients who have consumed the boiled extract, effects of cleistanthoside A on the determinants of blood pressure, namely, force of cardiac contraction and vascular resistance, were tested in isolated organ experiments. Cleistanthoside A has a direct vasoconstrictor effect; however, it inhibits ventricular contractility. Therefore, the notion that the shock in C. collinus poisoning is of vascular origin must be considered carefully, and the possibility of cardiogenic shock must be studied. We present the crystal structure of cleistanthin A and show the potency of fast NMR methods (NOAH4-BSCN-NUS) in the full spectral assignment of cleistanthoside A as a real-world sample of a natural product. We also compare the results of the NOAH4-BSCN-NUS NMR experiments with conventional NMR methods.

Automated summary

Cleistanthoside A has been identified as the major toxin in the boiled aqueous extract of fresh Cleistanthus collinus leaves, causing death in rats even in small doses. Cleistanthin A was also found in trace amounts in the boiled extract. Experimental results show that cleistanthoside A has a direct vasoconstrictor effect and inhibits ventricular contractility, challenging the notion that shock in C. collinus poisoning is solely of vascular origin.