Isolation, Chemistry, and Biochemistry of Ptaquiloside, a Bracken Carcinogen

Abstract

A toxic and yet edible plant, bracken shows a carcinogenicity that has been a long-standing problem. This review provides an account of the isolation, structure, and reactivity of ptaquiloside (1), a bracken carcinogen. The elimination of glucose from 1 results in the formation of an ultimate carcinogen that alkylates the adenine and guanine residues of DNA and even cleaves DNA.