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Ergot in the past led to the death of many thousands of people, currently contained substances - and more often even their synthetic equivalents - are primarily used in medicine. But what substances are present in ergot that makes it so dangerous? Is the current risk of accidental ergot intake still existing or has it been completely eliminated?

Ergotis the spore form of the parasitic fungus - red bunion ( Claviceps purpurea ). These spores are dark brown arched structures up to about 4 cm in size. Ergot attacks a variety of grass plants, including grains such as rye, wheat and barley.

Parasitic fungus appears most often in cereals when the conditions are right, i.e. when high temperature is accompanied by a lot of rainfall.

Humanity has been interested in ergot for a long time. There are records of the mushroom being used as early as 4000 BC. The ancient Greeks used it in their rituals where ergot was used as a psychoactive agent.

Information about ergot can also be found in the Old Testament (where, among others, grain-related diseases were described). The parasitic fungus also interested Hippocrates.

In the past, for many long years, mankind has been tormented by certain unusual ailments. Initially - at the end of the 6th century AD - it was suspected that specific ailments were the fault of being possessed by the devil.

A strange disease, later referred to as "holy fire" or "St. Anthony's fire", in AD 944 in Aquitaine, France, led to the death of tens of thousands of people.

Over the years, it has been difficult to discover what is responsible for the occurrence of this disease entity. In the end, it turned out that even … a slice of bread can be dangerous. More precisely - a product made of flour with ergot.

Substances present in ergot

The effect of ergot - both the ability to cause dangerous diseases in humans and the possibility of using it as a psychoactive agent - results from the substances it contains.

Ergot contains many different alkaloids, including ergotamine, ergotoxine, ergotine or ergobazine. Various amino acids are present in it,e.g. tyrosine, histidine and aspartic acid. You can also find histamine and tyramine in ergot.

Ergot alkaloids: effects on various body structures

The compounds in ergot can affect the body in a multitude of ways. They stimulate a whole range of different receptors: both alpha-adrenergic, as well as serotonin and dopaminergic. They also affect various hormones in the body - ergot alkaloids can inhibit the secretion of prolactin, for example.

Ergot alkaloids and disease

The risk associated with ergot comes mainly from the presence of the above-mentioned alkaloids. The poisoning with this mushroom, which took place in the past, occurred mainly as a result of eating it after it was in the flour, from which the bread was made.

Initially, ergotism was referred to as St. Antoni or "inner fire", later the term "ergotism" began to be used.

There are two types of ergot poisoning:

  • gangrene form - it was related to, among others, with auto-amputation of limbs (or their end parts, e.g. fingers) in poisoned patients. This effect is caused by ergot alkaloids, which can lead to a very strong constriction of the blood vessels. This form of ergotism was also associated with very strong burning pain (hence the connection between the disease and fire)
  • convulsive form - in its course, poisoned people experienced hallucinations, but also muscle tremors, convulsions or stiffness of the limbs

Medical use of ergot alkaloids

Accidental ingestion of ergot alkaloids can have extremely drastic consequences, as described above. The substances contained in the parasitic fungus - or their synthetic equivalents - find, however, often invaluable, medical applications.

Due to their strong decongestant effect, ergot alkaloids have been used to inhibit heavy postpartum bleeding. Dopaminergic agonist derivatives of ergot alkaloids, such as rotigotine, are used to treat Parkinson's disease.

One of the alkaloids - ergometrine - has the ability to strongly contract the muscle cells of the uterus, which can be used to strengthen labor contractions. Yet another substance present in ergot - ergotamine - is used in the treatment of migraine or cluster headaches.

Sporysz and LSD

It was previously mentioned that ergot was treated in the past asa psychoactive substance. The alkaloids present in it (especially ergotamine) can be used to produce one substance with very strong hallucinogenic properties - we are talking about LSD.

Ergot poisoning: is the risk still there?

In the past, ergot has even decimated entire villages. But as it is today: is it still possible to accidentally consume ergot alkaloids and experience dangerous consequences?

Theoretically, yes - there is always a possibility that the spores of the red roundabout will appear on the ears of plants intended for consumption. Currently, however, this phenomenon is much less frequent than in the past.

The use of plant protection products is responsible for this. In addition, the grains are simply cleaned much more thoroughly than in the past. There are also improved methods which make it possible to test cereal products for the presence of ergot alkaloids.

Sources:

  1. Walczak M., Kwiatek K., Sporysz as a source of dangerous alkaloids in grain food and feed materials, Życie Weterynaryjne 2015, 90 (4)
  2. Schardl C.L., Introduction to the Toxins Special Issue on Ergot Alkaloids, Toxins 2015, 7, 4232-4237; doi: 10.3390 / toxins7104232
  3. Grelik A., Kwiatek K., Ergot alkaloids - undesirable substances in feed and feed materials, Zootechnical News, R. LV (2022), 3: 149-154

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