Toxicity of some goldenrods

This study was performed to determine the biological activity in mice of eight species of Solidago (goldenrod) and to determine some of the chemical groups present in these species. Biologically active substances were present in all of the species tested. Tests of six species were positive for alkaloids. All but one of the species contained demonstrable saponins. All of the species contained tannins, whereas six or seven species were positive for flavonoids. Quaternary bases were not found in any of the species tested. A comparison of the biological activity in mice of these species of Solidago, extracts of which were injected intraperitoneally, showed their descending order of activity to be: (1)S. flexicaulis L., (2)S. hispida Muhl., (3)S. juncea Ait., (4)S. serotina Ait., (5)S. canadensis L., (6)S. rugosa Ait., (7)S. uliginosa Nutt., and (8)S. squarrosa Muhl.