Chemical Properties
Shiny brown leaflets or a yellow or white
powder.
Uses
Aristolochic acids occur in Aristolochiaceae and in butterflies feeding on these plants. One of a group of fourteen known, substituted 1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acids
Potential Exposure
Aristolochic acids are alkaloids used
primarily as a chemical intermediate for pharmaceuticals,
lab chemicals, herbal extract, drug.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect
themselves. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way
valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and
isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact
with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running
water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact,
avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim
warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion
or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
Shipping
UN1544 Alkaloids, solid, n.o.s. or Alkaloid salts,
solid, n.o.s. poisonous, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-
Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required. PG III.
Incompatibilities
Compounds of the carboxyl group react
with all bases, both inorganic and organic (i.e., amines)
releasing substantial heat, water and a salt that may be
harmful. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates,
peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine,
fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep
away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids,
oxoacids, epoxides.
Waste Disposal
It is inappropriate and possibly
dangerous to the environment to dispose of expired or
waste drugs and pharmaceuticals by flushing them down
the toilet or discarding them to the trash. Household quantities
of expired or waste pharmaceuticals may be mixed
with wet cat litter or coffee grounds, double-bagged in
plastic, discard in trash. Larger quantities shall carefully
take into consideration applicable DEA, EPA, and FDA
regulations. If possible return the pharmaceutical to the
manufacturer for proper disposal being careful to properly
label and securely package the material. Alternatively, the
waste pharmaceutical shall be labeled, securely packaged
and transported by a state licensed medical waste contractor
to dispose by burial in a licensed hazardous or toxic waste
landfill or incinerator. All federal, state, and local environmental
regulations must be observed.
Definition
ChEBI: Aristolochic acid B is an aristolochic acid that is phenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid substituted by a methylenedioxy group at the 3,4 positions and by a nitro group at position 10. It has a role as a carcinogenic agent, a metabolite, a mutagen, a nephrotoxin and a toxin. It is a C-nitro compound, a member of aristolochic acids, an aromatic ether, a cyclic acetal, a monocarboxylic acid and an organic heterotetracyclic compound.
Carcinogenicity
Aristolochic acids are known to be human carcinogens based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans and supporting data on mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals supports the findings in humans.