Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons^™

Effects Of Strong Oxidants Present In Acer Spp. On Hemolysis Methemoglobin Production In Equine Erythrocytes, Gabrielle Mcgeorge, Jeffrey Lehman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Maple toxicosis is a deadly condition affecting equines after they have ingested wilted leaves of the genus Acer (i.e., maple species). It is characterized by hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Although the toxins responsible for causing toxicosis have not been identified, they are thought to be strong oxidants. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of eight compounds (galloyl derivatives) found in Acer spp. on hemolysis and methemoglobin production in bioassays with equine erythrocytes. Seven of the compounds are known constituents of Acer spp. that are commercially available. One of the compounds--acertannin--was isolated and characterized from leaf extracts …