I had this discussion the other day on a FB group I am in. Things like sleepy grass, ipomoea seed, and the ergot claviceps paspali only feature the water soluble simple amides of lysergic acid....not things like ergotamine which are ergotoxin/ergopeptide group of compounds.
So what
does contain ergopeptines?
Ergot infected grasses
do contain ergopeptines. It is only Convolvulaceae plants and seeds that do not contain them (they contain the ergoline subtypes, lysergamides and clavines). You're correct when you say that it is likely that only ergopeptines are capable of causing gangrene. Eich E, 2008 says that the ergopeptine, ergovaline is what causes gangrene.
the powerful constrictor effect of ergovaline causing such gangrenes is mediated by activation of vascular 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2A receptors (Schöning et al. 2001).
Schöning C, Flieger M, Pertz HH (2001) Complex interaction of ergovaline with 5-HT2A, 5-HT1B/1D, and alpha1 receptors in isolated arteries of rat and guinea pig. J Animal Sci 79:2202-2209
DOWNLOAD
Eich, Eckart (2008). Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae: Secondary Metabolites: Biosynthesis, Chemotaxonomy, Biological and Economics Significance (a Handbook), p. 250
This is included in my information archive on MG seeds, linked to at the end of this post. All the references in this post are included in my archive.
Ergonovine is present only as a trace molecule in the seed
Also known as ergometrine.
I've been meaning to do calculations on this, but it looks like it's found in greater than trace amounts:
Source: Gröger D. (1963) Über das Vorkommen von Ergolinderivaten in Ipomoea-Arten. Flora 153:373–382
DOWNLOAD
I'm gonna assume that's BS because back in the day I used to call seed companies to ask them about this and was assured on a number of occasions (I called the big three) that this was not true. My only source is my good name but I assure you they did a good job of convincing me that what they were telling me was how it is.
Two people on The Shroomery reported emailing Burpee and asking them if the seeds were coated with anything. Both of them said Burpee told them no.
There's also this:
It has been suggested6 that the insecticide coating on the morning glory seed might be promoting adverse side effects that have been noted. The majority of commercial seeds are treated with N-tri-chlorete which is a fungicide and seed protectant having a tolerance of 100 parts per million.8 Thus, this is quite an inocuous product from the toxicologic point of view and would require ingestion of quantities beyond the capacity of the stomach to absorb, in amounts found as a seed coater, to be considered lethal.9 Symptoms involving the nervous system would be lacking if we were dealing only with the effects of this fungicide. Formerly, compounds containing mercury were used extensively as fungicides and there is the possibility that some seeds so treated might pose a toxicologic danger if ingested. This is considered unlikely as the newer seed protectants have been in use for a considerably longer period than the current morning glory fad.
It would seem then, that both the psychological and physiological effects observed in the ingestion of the seed of the morning glory reside in the alkaloids of the seed and not the seed protectant. The LSD-like reaction is most likely due to the LSD-like alkaloids for no pure LSD has as yet been isolated from the seed. As all compounds occurring in the morning glory seed have not been studied intensively enough to inspire confidence in their respective roles, they cannot yet be considered for scientific experimental use much less be used irresponsibly in excitement-seeking self-experimentation.
6. Cohen, S.: Suicide Following Morning Glory Seed Ingestion, Amer J Psychiat 120:1024-1025 (April) 1964.
8. Frear, D.E.H.: Pesticide Handbook, State College, Pa: College Science Publishers, 1963, p 8.
9. Frear, D.E.H.: Personal communication to the author, July, 1964.
JAMA, Dec 28, 1964 • Vol 190, No 13
Ingram AL (1964): Morning glory seed reaction. J. Amer. reed. Ass. 190, 1133–1134. doi:10.1001/jama.1964.03070260045019
Information archive on morning glory seeds.
http://www.bluelight.org/vb/entries/7141-morning-glory-seed-information-archive
Contents: