The Experts below are selected from a list of 207 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Eric Smets - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
a revision of corynanthe and Pausinystalia african rubiaceae coptosapelteae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe-like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras. A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild, is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch, ex Lane-Poole; P. brachylhyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K Schum.) Pierre ex Beille), P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia, and not transferred to Coiynanthe, as recently suggested.
-
A revision of Corynanthe and Pausinystalia (African Rubiaceae‐Coptosapelteae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe-like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras. A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild, is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch, ex Lane-Poole; P. brachylhyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K Schum.) Pierre ex Beille), P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia, and not transferred to Coiynanthe, as recently suggested.
-
A revision ofCorynantheandPausinystalia(African Rubiaceae-Coptosapelteae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:Abstract The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe -like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras . A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild. is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch. ex Lane-Poole; P. brachythyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille). P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia , and not transferred to Corynanthe , as recently suggested.
Ikhlas A. Khan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Pharmaceutical quantities of yohimbine found in dietary supplements in the USA
Drug Testing and Analysis, 2015Co-Authors: Pieter A. Cohen, Yan-hong Wang, Gregory Maller, Renan Desouza, Ikhlas A. KhanAbstract:In the USA, botanical dietary supplements are presumed to be safe, but this is not necessarily always the case. Extracts of the evergreen tree yohimbe, Pausinystalia johimbe, though banned in many countries, are sold in hundreds of dietary supplements in the USA. We analyzed 49 brands of supplements labelled as containing yohimbe or yohimbine available for sale from seven major retailers in the USA. Supplements were analyzed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry detectors for quantity of three alkaloids found in P. johimbe (yohimbine, rauwolscine, and corynanthine). The alkaloids were confirmed on the basis of retention time, ultraviolet spectra, and mass spectra against reference standards. The quantity of the most active alkaloid, yohimbine, per recommended serving ranged from none detected to 12.1 mg. Thirty-nine percent of the supplements (19/49) did not contain rauwolscine and corynanthine suggesting that the yohimbine was either from highly processed plant extract or synthetic in origin. Only 11 supplement brands (22%, 11/49) listed a specific quantity of yohimbine on the label. Most of these were inaccurately labelled (actual content ranged from 23% to 147% of the content on the label). Eighteen percent (9/49) of the supplements' labels did not provide any information about yohimbine's adverse effects. Of the 49 yohimbine supplement brands sold at seven major retail chains in the USA, only 4.1% (2/49) provided consumers with both accurate information about the quantity of yohimbine as well as information about yohimbine's known adverse effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
-
Microscopic and UPLC–UV–MS analyses of authentic and commercial yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe) bark samples
Journal of Natural Medicines, 2013Co-Authors: Vijayasankar Raman, Yan-hong Wang, Bharathi Avula, Ahmed M. Galal, Ikhlas A. KhanAbstract:Yohimbine is the major alkaloid found in the stem bark of yohimbe, Pausinystalia johimbe (Rubiaceae), an evergreen tree native to Africa. The objectives of the current study were to provide a detailed anatomy of yohimbe bark, as well as to determine the quantity of yohimbine in the raw yohimbe products sold online. Twelve commercial raw materials of yohimbe were analyzed by microscopic and ultra performance liquid chromatography–UV–MS methods. The study revealed that three samples were probably adulterated and four other samples contained various levels of impurities. Yohimbine was not detected in one sample, whereas its presence in other samples was found to be in the range 0.1–0.91%. The present work also provides a detailed anatomy of the stem bark of yohimbe, with light and scanning electron microscopy images, for proper identification and authentication.
-
microscopic and uplc uv ms analyses of authentic and commercial yohimbe Pausinystalia johimbe bark samples
Journal of Natural Medicines, 2013Co-Authors: Vijayasankar Raman, Yan-hong Wang, Ikhlas A. Khan, Bharathi Avula, Ahmed M. GalalAbstract:Yohimbine is the major alkaloid found in the stem bark of yohimbe, Pausinystalia johimbe (Rubiaceae), an evergreen tree native to Africa. The objectives of the current study were to provide a detailed anatomy of yohimbe bark, as well as to determine the quantity of yohimbine in the raw yohimbe products sold online. Twelve commercial raw materials of yohimbe were analyzed by microscopic and ultra performance liquid chromatography–UV–MS methods. The study revealed that three samples were probably adulterated and four other samples contained various levels of impurities. Yohimbine was not detected in one sample, whereas its presence in other samples was found to be in the range 0.1–0.91%. The present work also provides a detailed anatomy of the stem bark of yohimbe, with light and scanning electron microscopy images, for proper identification and authentication.
Piet Stoffelen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
a revision of corynanthe and Pausinystalia african rubiaceae coptosapelteae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe-like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras. A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild, is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch, ex Lane-Poole; P. brachylhyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K Schum.) Pierre ex Beille), P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia, and not transferred to Coiynanthe, as recently suggested.
-
A revision of Corynanthe and Pausinystalia (African Rubiaceae‐Coptosapelteae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe-like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras. A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild, is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch, ex Lane-Poole; P. brachylhyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K Schum.) Pierre ex Beille), P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia, and not transferred to Coiynanthe, as recently suggested.
-
A revision ofCorynantheandPausinystalia(African Rubiaceae-Coptosapelteae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 1996Co-Authors: Piet Stoffelen, Elmar Robbrecht, Eric SmetsAbstract:Abstract The genera Corynanthe and Pausinystalia are an easily recognizable group within the tribe Coptosapelteae because the corolla lobes are provided with a distinct spherical, club-shaped or linear appendage. In the past the delimitation of the species and the 1–3 genera in the literature has been problematical. A short revision of the group is undertaken, based mainly on a study of Central African herbarium specimens. The morphological features of the group are reviewed and documented. Stipules were commonly found to have interlocking vernation; this type of ptyxis has not yet been reported from the Rubiaceae. Characters and their states are coded for a numerical phenetic and cladistic analysis of the relationships among the species. Our formal analyses corroborate the view that two genera can be recognized, Corynanthe (characterized by exserted style and anthers, undivided stigma and mainly loculicidal capsule; three species) and Pausinystalia (characterized by style and anthers included in the corolla tube, a bilobed stigma and predominantly septicidal capsule; five species). The entire group probably evolved from a Corynanthe -like ancestor; a drastic shift in flower biology, viz. the loss of secondary pollen presentation, probably correlated with adaptations to another pollinator which may have caused the divergence between the two genera. These show the characteristic distribution pattern of strict rain forest groups in Africa, except that they are missing from the lowland forests of the Zaire Basin. The species are concentrated around the known forest refugia of the quaternary glaciation: only C. pachyceras is distributed in almost the whole rain forest area. A formal taxonomic treatment (with key to species) of the two genera is given; a key to the genera of the Coptosapelteae of the African continent is also included. The examination of the isotypes of forgotten names described by the Berlin school revealed three new synonyms. Pausinystalia angolensis described from Cabinda (Angola) by Wernham is proved to be synonymous with P. macroceras . A few other taxonomic changes are made. Pausinystalia ituriense De Wild. is reduced to a subspecies of P. lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch. ex Lane-Poole; P. brachythyrsum (K. Schum.) W. Brandt is recognized again (instead of being reduced to a form of P. macroceras (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille). P. talbotii Wernham is maintained in Pausinystalia , and not transferred to Corynanthe , as recently suggested.
Qinhua Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
development of a method for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of yohimbine in Pausinystalia yohimbe by liquid chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry
Acta Chromatographica, 2011Co-Authors: Qinhua Chen, F. Yuan, J. ZhuAbstract:Summary A rapid and sensitive method for the identification and quantification of yohimbine in Pausinystalia yohimbe is described. The method used is liquid chromatography-quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QIT/MS). The yohimbine standard solution was directly infused into the ion trap mass spectrometers (IT/MS) for collecting the MSn spectra. The major fragment ions of yohimbine were confirmed by MSn at m/z 355, 224, 212, and 144, in the positive-ion mode. The possible main fragment ion cleavage pathway was studied. Yohimbine provided good signals corresponding to the protonated molecular ion [M + H]+. The method is reliable and reproducible, and the detection limit is 0.1 ng mL-1. The method was validated in the concentration range 0.1–50 μg mL−1; the intra- and interday precision ranged from 1.36% to 2.73% and the accuracy was 96.5–108.2%. The mean recovery of yohimbine was 97.1–101% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) <1.93%. The LC-IT/MS method was successfully applied to determine the yo...
-
Development of a method for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of Yohimbine in Pausinystalia yohimbe by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry
Acta Chromatographica, 2011Co-Authors: Qinhua Chen, F. Yuan, J. ZhuAbstract:Summary A rapid and sensitive method for the identification and quantification of yohimbine in Pausinystalia yohimbe is described. The method used is liquid chromatography-quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QIT/MS). The yohimbine standard solution was directly infused into the ion trap mass spectrometers (IT/MS) for collecting the MSn spectra. The major fragment ions of yohimbine were confirmed by MSn at m/z 355, 224, 212, and 144, in the positive-ion mode. The possible main fragment ion cleavage pathway was studied. Yohimbine provided good signals corresponding to the protonated molecular ion [M + H]+. The method is reliable and reproducible, and the detection limit is 0.1 ng mL-1. The method was validated in the concentration range 0.1–50 μg mL−1; the intra- and interday precision ranged from 1.36% to 2.73% and the accuracy was 96.5–108.2%. The mean recovery of yohimbine was 97.1–101% with a relative standard deviation (RSD)
-
analysis of yohimbine alkaloid from Pausinystalia yohimbe by non aqueous capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography mass spectrometry
IEEE Journal of Solid-state Circuits, 2008Co-Authors: Qinhua Chen, Zhuo Zhang, Jia LiuAbstract:In the present work, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pausinystalia yohimbe-type alkaloids in the barks of Rubiaceae species is presented using different analytical approaches. Extracts of P. yohimbe were first examined by GC-MS and the major alkaloids were identified. The quantitation of yohimbine was then accomplished by non-aqueous CE (NACE) with diode array detection. This approach was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. In particular, a mixture of methanol containing ammonium acetate (20 mM) and glacial acetic acid was used as a BGE. The same analytical sample was subjected to GC-MS and NACE analysis; the different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that can be useful in phytochemical characterization of the extracts. The linear calibration ranges were all 10-1000 microg/mL for yohimbine by GC-MS and NACE analysis. The recovery of yohimbine was 91.2-94.0% with RSD 1.4-4.3%. The LOD for yohimbine were 0.6 microg/mL by GC-MS and 1.0 microg/mL by NACE, respectively. The GC-MS and NACE methods were successfully validated and applied to the quantitation of yohimbine.
-
Analysis of yohimbine alkaloid from Pausinystalia yohimbe by non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Journal of separation science, 2008Co-Authors: Qinhua Chen, Zhuo Zhang, Jia LiuAbstract:In the present work, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pausinystalia yohimbe-type alkaloids in the barks of Rubiaceae species is presented using different analytical approaches. Extracts of P. yohimbe were first examined by GC-MS and the major alkaloids were identified. The quantitation of yohimbine was then accomplished by non-aqueous CE (NACE) with diode array detection. This approach was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. In particular, a mixture of methanol containing ammonium acetate (20 mM) and glacial acetic acid was used as a BGE. The same analytical sample was subjected to GC-MS and NACE analysis; the different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that can be useful in phytochemical characterization of the extracts. The linear calibration ranges were all 10-1000 microg/mL for yohimbine by GC-MS and NACE analysis. The recovery of yohimbine was 91.2-94.0% with RSD 1.4-4.3%. The LOD for yohimbine were 0.6 microg/mL by GC-MS and 1.0 microg/mL by NACE, respectively. The GC-MS and NACE methods were successfully validated and applied to the quantitation of yohimbine.
Chadi Abbara - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
A fatal case report of acute yohimbine intoxication
Forensic Toxicology, 2020Co-Authors: Guillaume Drevin, M. Palayer, Patricia Compagnon, Donca Zabet, Nathalie Jousset, Marie Briet, Chadi AbbaraAbstract:Purpose Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid extracted from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree, which has found a clinical application through the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Yohimbine is also widely used by the bodybuilding community for its sympathomimetic effects and its presumed lipolytic effects. This substance is, however, associated with adverse effects, including cardiac and neurologic side-effects, but only few fatal cases have been described to date. In this context, this manuscript aims at documenting a fatal case of a 27-year-old male. Methods Ethanol concentration determination and toxicological screening were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, liquid chromatography with diode array detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. Liquid chromatography with diode array detection allowed the quantification of yohimbine. Results Toxicological analysis of subclavian blood, vitreous humor, and urine samples highlighted the presence of yohimbine and tramadol. Yohimbine was quantified at the concentration of 8000 µg/L in the peripheral blood and 2600 µg/L in the vitreous humor. Tramadol blood concentration was below the toxic threshold. Conclusion Only a very few number of yohimbine fatalities has been reported so far . In the current case, yohimbine acute intoxication appeared to be the most likely cause of death. In fact, the blood concentration highlighted here is the highest ever reported to date.
-
A fatal case report of acute yohimbine intoxication
Forensic Toxicology, 2020Co-Authors: Guillaume Drevin, M. Palayer, Patricia Compagnon, Donca Zabet, Nathalie Jousset, Marie Briet, Chadi AbbaraAbstract:Purpose Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid extracted from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree, which has found a clinical application through the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Yohimbine is also widely used by the bodybuilding community for its sympathomimetic effects and its presumed lipolytic effects. This substance is, however, associated with adverse effects, including cardiac and neurologic side-effects, but only few fatal cases have been described to date. In this context, this manuscript aims at documenting a fatal case of a 27-year-old male. Methods Ethanol concentration determination and toxicological screening were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, liquid chromatography with diode array detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. Liquid chromatography with diode array detection allowed the quantification of yohimbine. Results Toxicological analysis of subclavian blood, vitreous humor, and urine samples highlighted the presence of yohimbine and tramadol. Yohimbine was quantified at the concentration of 8000 µg/L in the peripheral blood and 2600 µg/L in the vitreous humor. Tramadol blood concentration was below the toxic threshold. Conclusion Only a very few number of yohimbine fatalities has been reported so far . In the current case, yohimbine acute intoxication appeared to be the most likely cause of death. In fact, the blood concentration highlighted here is the highest ever reported to date.
-
A fatal case report of acute yohimbine intoxication
Forensic Toxicology, 2019Co-Authors: Guillaume Drevin, M. Palayer, Patricia Compagnon, Donca Zabet, Nathalie Jousset, Marie Briet, Chadi AbbaraAbstract:Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid extracted from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree, which has found a clinical application through the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Yohimbine is also widely used by the bodybuilding community for its sympathomimetic effects and its presumed lipolytic effects. This substance is, however, associated with adverse effects, including cardiac and neurologic side-effects, but only few fatal cases have been described to date. In this context, this manuscript aims at documenting a fatal case of a 27-year-old male. Ethanol concentration determination and toxicological screening were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, liquid chromatography with diode array detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. Liquid chromatography with diode array detection allowed the quantification of yohimbine. Toxicological analysis of subclavian blood, vitreous humor, and urine samples highlighted the presence of yohimbine and tramadol. Yohimbine was quantified at the concentration of 8000 µg/L in the peripheral blood and 2600 µg/L in the vitreous humor. Tramadol blood concentration was below the toxic threshold. Only a very few number of yohimbine fatalities has been reported so far. In the current case, yohimbine acute intoxication appeared to be the most likely cause of death. In fact, the blood concentration highlighted here is the highest ever reported to date.