Octahydroindolizine-1,2,8-triol

Swainsonine causes a variety of neurological disorders, including locoism and "slobbers syndrome" in livestock. In man it causes a lysosomal storage disease, biochemically and morphologically similar to mannosidosis. It is also an appetite suppressant. (L1248, A3092, A3093)

Swainsonine inhibits the activity of glycoside hydrolases, especially N-linked glycosylation. Inhibition of Golgi mannosidase II and other alpha-mannosidases causes the accumulation of atypical hybrid glycoproteins and oligosaccarides because the proper processing cannot occur. This also results in intracellular vacuolization. (L1248, A3092, A3093)

Symptoms of locoism include staggering gait, depression, muscular incoordination, staring, nervousness, hyperexcitability, loss of appetite, and reproductive alterations such as abortion and birth defects. The major symptom of "slobbers syndrome" is profuse salivation. Other symptoms include diarrhea, lacrimation, stiff joints, frequent urination, tremors, spontaneous abortion, labored breathing, loss of appetite, bloat, and possibly death. Swainsonine also causes vacuolation of most tissues. (L1819, A3092, A3093)