Food poisoning by ginkgo seeds through vitamin B 6 depletion

Abstract

Overconsumption of Ginkgo biloba seeds induces food poisoning characterized by tonic-clonic convulsions and vomiting. The primary toxic component, 4′-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN), was purified from the seeds in 1985. This review includes the following aspects of ginkgo seed poisoning: 1) toxicity related to the content of MPN and MPN glucoside in G. biloba seeds; 2) the effect of MPN on vitamin B 6 analogs, including an increase in pyridoxal and pyridoxic acid and decrease in pyridoxal-5′-phosphate plasma concentrations; 3) case reports of ginkgo seed poisoning in Asia, North America, and Europe, and their effective treatment via vitamin B 6 administration. Considering the increase in the use of G. biloba seeds, it is essential to raise global awareness of their potential toxicity.