An alkaloid with mutagenic activity; forms DNA adducts under anaerobic conditions in vitro at 0.4 mM; oral administration induces bladder, forestomach, and kidney DNA adduct formation in rats at 0.03 mmol/kg; reduces body weight and urine concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium, enlarges the liver and kidneys, and increases blood concentrations of hemoglobin and hematocrit in rats