Hazards and utilization on toxicity of Oxytropis glabra

Oxytropis glabra is one of main poisonous plants in Inner Mongolia. It contains swainsonine that inhibits activities of mannosidase in animal cells and causes chronic poisoning to livestock. The biological characteristics, swainsoninepoisoning mechanisms to livestock and damages caused by Oxytropis glabra were summarized in this paper. The ecological and environmental factors affecting poisoning were also analyzed. It suggested that the poisoning pathogeny was related to the intake, feeding management and ecologic situations of grassland. The utilization of O. glabra through chemical detoxication, vaccine and medicine development and ecological restoration were commented, and the application of swainsonine for cancer treatment was also reviewed.