Cytidine 5'-triphosphate disodium salt is one of the endogenous metabolites and is a cation-permeable ligand-gated ion channel agonist.

The cytotoxicity was greater in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ than in its presence, suggesting that alterations in intracellular Ca2+ distribution, and not an influx of extracellular Ca2+, were responsible for the Senecionine-induced hepatotoxicity [1].

Senecionine fails to stimulate epoxide hydrase, it diminishes the activity of glutathione-s-transferase, aminopyrine demethylase and AHH [2]. Twice-weekly injections of senecionine, beginning on Day 12 or later, results in premature deliveries in three of seven rats, and the pups from all litters are stillborn or die shortly after birth [3].

Swiss albino rats weighing 155-175 g are incubated for 3 consecutive days with seneciphylline and senecionine at a daily dose of 40 or 80 mg/kg body wt. Control animals received normal saline only. The animals are killed 24 h after the last dose. The livers are removed, weighed and then homogenized in 1.15% KCI, 0.02 HEPES (pH 7.4) [4].