Agrostemma githago (Agrostemma githago): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

What makes Agrostemma githago toxic to humans?

Agrostemma githago contains toxic saponins, primarily githagin and agrostemmic acid, which disrupt cell membrane integrity throughout the body. These compounds cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), severe gastrointestinal irritation, and central nervous system effects including convulsions. The seeds contain the highest concentration of these toxic compounds. Historically, accidental poisoning occurred when seeds contaminated grain supplies. Evidence Level: C (toxicological reports).

Is Agrostemma githago safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Agrostemma githago is absolutely unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The toxic saponins can cross the placenta and cause fetal harm, including potential developmental toxicity. The hemolytic effects pose serious risks to both mother and developing fetus. These compounds may also pass into breast milk. No safe threshold exists for use during pregnancy. Complete avoidance is strongly recommended. Evidence Level: C.

What is a safe dosage of Agrostemma githago?

There is no established safe medicinal dosage for Agrostemma githago. This plant is considered toxic and is not recommended for internal or external medicinal use. Historical texts reference external wound applications, but this reflects outdated practices, not evidence-based recommendations. The seeds contain concentrated saponins that have caused poisoning when contaminating grain supplies. Modern herbal medicine does not recognize any therapeutic dosage. Evidence Level: C.

Does Agrostemma githago interact with any medications?

No formal drug interaction studies exist because Agrostemma githago is not used therapeutically. Theoretically, its hemolytic saponins could compound effects with anticoagulant medications or drugs affecting red blood cell counts. The severe gastrointestinal toxicity could alter absorption of any oral medications. Internal use is completely contraindicated regardless of concurrent medications. The plant should be avoided entirely. Evidence Level: C.

What are the side effects of Agrostemma githago poisoning?

Agrostemma githago poisoning causes severe gastrointestinal toxicity including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The saponins induce hemolysis, leading to anemia and potential kidney damage from cellular debris. Neurological symptoms include convulsions and potential respiratory distress. Historical poisoning cases from contaminated grain reported serious illness and death. There is no antidote; treatment is supportive. All internal exposure should be treated as a medical emergency. Evidence Level: C.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Agrostemma githago (common corncockle) is an herbaceous plant containing toxic ribosome-inactivating proteins and triterpenoid saponins [PMID:38931105, PMID:32958800].

Contexte

Agrostemma githago L., also known as common corncockle, is an herbaceous plant primarily found in Europe [PMID:32958800]. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family [PMID:38931105].

Usages traditionnels

The plant has been used in folk medicine to treat cancers and warts [PMID:26196402] and has been recommended as a drug by various herbalists [PMID:38931105]. Historical evidence from Pompeii mosaics and Pliny the Elder suggests it may have been recognized for diuretic properties [PMID:7847479].

Composés actifs

Key compounds include triterpenoid saponins (such as agrostemmoside E and agrostemmasaponins) [PMID:38931105, PMID:32861772, PMID:14648395], ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) including agrostin [PMID:32958800, PMID:6667259], a cyclic nonapeptide called agroscyclopeptide A [PMID:41432934], and phenolic and flavonoid contents [PMID:36287364].

Mécanisme d'action

Agrostin (a type 1 RIP) acts as an N-glycosylase that inactivates ribosomal RNA, leading to irreversible inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death [PMID:32958800]. Aqueous extracts have demonstrated anti-angiogenic effects by regulating the Notch/VEGF, MMP2/9, ANG2, and VEGFR2 pathways [PMID:36287364], and can induce apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 and down-regulating anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein expression [PMID:26196402, PMID:11408934].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DHypercholesterolemia

Ethanolic extracts decreased serum cholesterol concentration in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet [PMID:16713156]

Preuve DCancer (In vitro)

Aqueous extract of seeds induced cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line (AGS) [PMID:26196402]; agroscyclopeptide A showed dose-dependent inhibition of non-small cell lung carcinoma H460 cells with an IC50 of 4.6 μM [PMID:41432934]; agrostin inhibited proliferation in human leukemic HL-60 cells [PMID:11408934].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

The seeds are toxic and were historically a serious hazard due to cereal grain contamination, leading to widespread poisonings [PMID:38931105, PMID:32958800]. Toxicity is attributed to both triterpenoid secondary metabolites and ribosome-inactivating proteins [PMID:32958800]. Case reports indicate presumptive intoxication of cattle [PMID:9251181].

Synthèse des preuves

The available evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies (cell lines), animal models (mice), and biochemical analyses. There are no human clinical trials provided; therefore, the overall strength of clinical evidence is low.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 38931105 (2024) — Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Agrostemma Genus-A Review. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 32958800 (2020) — An unusual type I ribosome-inactivating protein from Agrostemma githago L. · Scientific reports
3.PMID: 36287364 (2023) — Anti-angiogenic effects of aqueous extract from Agrostemma githago L. seed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via regulating Notch/VEGF, MMP2/9, ANG2, and VEGFR2. · Environmental science and pollution research international
4.PMID: 6667259 (1983) — Ribosome-inactivating proteins from the seeds of Saponaria officinalis L. (soapwort), of Agrostemma githago L. (corn cockle) and of Asparagus officinalis L. (asparagus), and from the latex of Hura crepitans L. (sandbox tree). · The Biochemical journal
5.PMID: 26196402 (2015) — Aqueous extract of Agrostemma githago seed inhibits caspase-3 and induces cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase in AGS cell line.

Agrostemma githago

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Agrostemma githago

Pine Bark Extract

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Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Agrostemma githago

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Agrostemma githago

Plantes associées

Pine Bark Extract

Cuphea hyssopifolia

Croton tiglium

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales