Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Pulmonaria obscura.

Leaves, roots and rhizomes, and inflorescenses of Pulmonaria obscura from two localities and of two different growth forms within one site were analyzed by GC-MS for their content in pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). In roots and rhizomes PAs of the lycopsamine type typical for the Boraginaceae could be detected, e. g. intermedine, lycopsamine, and their O(7)-derivatives. The total PA concentrations in roots and rhizomes lay between 0.026 and 0.158 mg/g dry weight. In leaves and inflorescenses, on the other hand, only trace amounts of PAs (below 0.4 ng/mg dry weight) could be detected. No significant differences in total concentration of PAs could be found between the two sites.