Identification of Vitamin D₃ Hydroxylated Metabolites in <i>Solanum glaucophyllum</i> Leaves: Towards Its Biosynthetic Pathway Elucidation

Abstract

Solanum glaucophyllum is a species of the Solanaceae family that causes enzootic calcinosis by vitamin D3 intoxication in breeding cattle grazing in Argentina. Inspired by thrusting forward the study of the biosynthetic pathway of vitamin D3 in S. glaucophyllum, the aim of the present work is to provide knowledge of vitamin D3 toxicity related to concentration in the mentioned species located throughout the Río Salado basin. We present the development of a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the analysis of vitamin D3 and its hydroxylated metabolites. An exhaustive optimization of the RP-HPLC method allowed us to perform calcitriol (1α,25-(OH)2D3) and calcidiol (25-OHD3) identification, both metabolites obtained by the chemical hydrolysis of S. glaucophyllum leaves starting from its hydrophilic extract. These results allow the design of a monitoring scheme for S. glaucophyllum, achieving a more selective control of this weed to avoid cattle decline in the Río Salado basin.

Keywords

• <i>Solanum glaucophyllum</i>
• vitamin D₃
• HPLC