Citation

Kobayashi D. Yakugaku Zasshi 2019; 139(1): 1-6.

Affiliation

Department of Food and Chemical Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Pharmaceutical Society of Japan)

DOI

10.1248/yakushi.18-00136

PMID

30606915

Abstract

Overconsumption of Ginkgo biloba seeds induces food poisoning characterized by tonic-clonic convulsions and vomiting. The primary toxic component, 4'-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN), was purified from the seeds in 1985. This review includes the following aspects of ginkgo seed poisoning: 1) toxicity related to the content of MPN and MPN glucoside in G. biloba seeds; 2) the effect of MPN on vitamin B₆ analogs, including an increase in pyridoxal and pyridoxic acid and decrease in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate plasma concentrations; 3) case reports of ginkgo seed poisoning in Asia, North America, and Europe, and their effective treatment via vitamin B₆ administration. Considering the increase in the use of G. biloba seeds, it is essential to raise global awareness of their potential toxicity.

Language: ja

Keywords

4′-O-methylpyridoxine; Ginkgo biloba; convulsion; ginkgo seed poisoning; pyridoxal-5′-phosphate; vitamin B6