Journal of natural products

Conversion of aristolochic acid I into aristolic acid by reaction with cysteine and glutathione: Biological implications

HA Priestap, MA Barbieri

Index: Priestap, Horacio A.; Barbieri, Manuel A. Journal of Natural Products, 2013 , vol. 76, # 5 p. 965 - 968

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Citation Number: 3

Abstract

Aristolochic acid I (AA-I), naturally occurring in Aristolochia plants, is a potent nephrotoxin and carcinogen. Here we report that AA-I suffers hydrogenolysis with loss of the nitro group by reaction with cysteine or glutathione to give aristolic acid. Since the reaction can proceed in aqueous solutions at pH 7.0 and 37° C, it is inferred that it may also occur in biological systems and contribute to the nephrotoxic effects induced by AA-I.