Solanum glaucophyllum is a species of the Solanaceae family widely distributed in flooded areas of natural grasslands in the northeast of Argentina. Since 1960 its consumption by cattle has been associated with cattle specific vitamin D3 intoxication known as enzootic calcinosis disease. This particular disease is related to alteration in absorption of vitamin D3 and actually leads to the detriment of Argentina´s livestock economy.
Concerning bibliography background, vitamin D3 is known to be present in species belonging to the Solanaceae family and has been identified in S. glaucophyllum from the enzymatic hydrolysis of the ethanol-water extract obtained from the leaves of this species. In addition, vitamin D3 in S. glaucophyllum showed a similar photodependent process of synthesis to the vertebrates. Inspired on thrusting forward the study S. glaucophyllum biosynthetic pathway to vitamin D3, 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. Herein we present the development of a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the determination and analysis of vitamin D3 and its hydroxylated metabolites. An exhaustive optimization of RP-HPLC method allow us to perform calcitriol (1a,25-(OH)2D3) and calcidiol (25-OHD3) identification, both metabolites obtained by chemical hydrolysis of S. glaucophyllum leaves starting off its hydrophilic extract.
These results will improve a smart design management and monitoring scheme for S. glaucophyllum, achieving a more selective control of this weed, avoiding cattle declining in the Río Salado basin.
