Comparison of lantadenes content and toxicity of different taxa of the lantana plant.

Three taxa of the lantana plant (Lantana camara var.Aculeata) I (white-pink), II (yellow-pink), and III (yellow-red)-differed in the content of lantadenes and compounds X, Y, and Z. Lantadene A, lantadene B, and lantadene C were the major lantadenes of taxon III. It contained small amounts of lantadene D. Taxa I and II contained very small amounts of lantadene A and lantadene B. Compounds X, Y, and Z were the major constituents of taxa I and II, and they constituted 59% and 92% of the total constituents in these taxa, respectively. Ingestion of lantana leaf powder of taxon III by male guinea pigs caused severe hepatotoxicity. Taxon I elicited mild hepatotoxicity in one out of six animals while taxon II was nontoxic. The biological and ecological significance of the presence of high amounts of compounds X, Y, and Z in taxa I and n is not known.