OCCURRENCE OF CHOLECALCIFEROL IN THE CALCINOGENIC PLANT TRISETUM FLAVESCENS

The grass Trisetum flavescens causes severe calcification of soft tissues upon ingestion by various species, which has been ascribed by others to a 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3-like activity. By a special purification procedure involving high pressure liquid chromatography and continuous biological testing the active principle was purified. By means of GC MS it was identified as cholecalciferol, being present in a concentration of about 0.1 ppm in the lyophylized plant dry matter. 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or other metabolites of vitamin D3 were not present. Since such low concentrations could hardly explain the calcinosis observed, a more active bound form" of vitamin D3 may be present in Trisetum flavescens. © 1979."