The protective role of
cycasin in cycad-feeding Lepidoptera.
This has been suggested after the discovery of
cycasin from Cycas in 1979 (Matsushima et al.
The glucoside form of MAM (i.e,
cycasin) is also strongly linked to a prototypical neurologic disorder found in the western Pacific with features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease and an Alzheimer-like dementia (ALS/PDC; Spencer et al.
As early as the 1960s, researchers knew that the bacterial enzyme beta-glucoronidase converts a plant chemical called
cycasin into a carcinogen.
Because he's failed to produce the full, progressive disease in monkeys by dosing them with BMAA, he's now pursuing
cycasin, another cycad compound.
In some species of the genus Eumaeus, toxins of Zamia leaves, such as
cycasin and macrozamin, are utilized by the caterpillars for their protection and also for the latter developmental stages of pupae and adults (Rothschild et al.
You cycad fans can relax: properly washing cycad nuts removes the "possibly" carcinogenic
cycasin. (Of course, if you don't live in the tropics, chances are you'll never run into a cycad.) * Ragwort or groundsel (Senecio) and rattlebox (Crotolaria).
The role of macrozamine and
cycasin in cycads (Cycadales) as antiherbivore defenses.
Compounds being tested include methylmethoxymethanol, which comes from the naturally occurring toxin
cycasin (from a plant in the cycad family), as well as N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and methyl methane sulfonate, both of which are synthetic compounds found in grilled foods and smoke.
neurotoxins
cycasin and BMAA in cycad flour prepared by Guam Chamorros.
Cycasin, methylazoxymethanol and related compounds.