An Efficient Method for the Isolation of Toxins from Pteridium aquilinum and Evaluation of Ptaquiloside Against Cancer and Non-cancer Cells

Abstract The common fern, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), is well known for its toxic effects on livestock due principally to the carcinogenic constituent ptaquiloside ( 1), although other toxins are present including cyanogenic glycoside, prunasin 2). Here, we report an improved and relatively “green” process isolation of 1 2 from fresh fronds evaluation cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. results indicate that displays selective toxicity cells relative noncancer retinal epithelial cells, method expected facilitate further exploration pharmacological properties.