Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Prof. Dr. Amani S. Awaad
Professor of PharmacognosyPharmacognosy Department,
College of Pharmacy Salman Bin Abdulaziz
University,
Al-Kharj. KSA.
Email: [email protected]
Pharmacognosy -2
PHG 322
What are Toxic plants
*Distribution & Strength of toxicity
How Plants Poison
What are Phytotoxins
* Examples for toxic plants and their toxicity and
treatment
Toxic plants in
KSA
- Vegetation helps sustain life. We eat many plants, herbs and so
forth in our daily diet. But, we must remember to be choosy.
Some plants, trees or shrubs are potential killers of man.
-Some part of the ornamental plants or flowers in your yard may
contain deadly poison.
- Many poisonous plants are so common and seemingly
innocuous you do not suspect their toxic qualities.
- For example, who would expect that the beautiful oleander
bush-grown indoors and outdoors all over the country-contains a
deadly heart stimulant, similar to the drug digitalis?
It is easy to be deceived by plants.
-one part may be edible while another is poisonous
Poisonous Plants
Be carful
Poisonous Plants
Introduction
-Plants contain a large number of biologically active chemicals.
Some of these have been found to be extremely useful for
treating various human and animal diseases.
-However, some plant constituents produce adverse health
effects following exposure.
- The onset of these adverse effects can be quite sudden or take
some time to develop.
-there are relatively few plants that, when ingested, cause acute
life-threatening illnesses
-The diversity of chemical substances in plants is quite
amazing. In many instances, the role that a particular chemical
plays in the normal ecology of the plant is unknown.
- In many cases, the presence of certain chemicals in plants is
believed to confer some degree of protection from plant
predators such as insects and ruminants
Poisonous Plants
Introduction
-There are a number of broad categories of
toxicologically significant plant constituents.
- These include
1. alkaloids (basic substances with nitrogen bound in a
ring structure),
2. amino acids, peptides and proteins
3. glycosides (chemical groups such as cyanide linked
to sugars),
4. acids (oxalic acid),
5. terpenes (substances that contain the branched 5-
carbon skeleton of isoprene),
6. phenolics and tanlnins, and
7. essential oils (various steam-volatile, primarily
lipophilic plant metabolites stored in special plant
organs and percieved by man through the stimulation of
the sense of smell)
Poisonous Plants
Introduction
Number of plants in KSU is 2240 and the toxic plants represent
10% of them.
- Plants are very important for man:
a - they are source of foods, and drugs
b - plants are very important as ornamental & shade plants in
houses
c- Cattle keeping
Toxicity of plants is due to
1- Presence of toxic chemicals as alkaloids, hormones and
antibiotics
2- some metals as molybdenum, cadmium and lead
3-Mechanical toxicity due to presence of stiff hairs, spines….
4- Sensitivity caused by the plants due to pollen grains eg.
Prosopis spicigera المسكيت
Poisonous Plants
Distribution & Strength of toxicity
in pointed hair e.g. Urtica urans
- Type of soil also affect on the toxicity e.g. Solanum
nigrum is more toxic in damp soil than in dry soil
Strength of toxicity
In the whole plant parts e.g. Datura stramnium
The toxicity of the plants different according to the stage of growth e.g.
Lolium temulentum is very toxic after flowering as toxic matters are
concentrated in seeds
Poisonous Plants
Distribution & Strength of toxicity
- Some plants have toxic part and other safe one e.g.
Corchorus olitorius الملوخية leaves are edible after cooking
while the seeds are toxic
Strength of toxicity
Highly toxic e.g.
Lantana camara as its
green fruit is very
toxic and fatal
Carissa grandiflora الكاريسا leaves and
stems are toxic while the fruit are edible
- Slightly toxic e.g.
Medicago sativa which
causes flatulence due
to saponin content
How Plants Poison??
Poisonous Plants
2-Contact.
When a person makes contact with a poisonous plant
that causes any type of skin irritation or dermatitis.
1-Ingestion.
When a person eats a part of a poisonous plant.
3-Absorption or inhalation.
When a person either absorbs the poison
through the skin or inhales it into the
respiratory system.Plant poisoning ranges from
minor irritation to death.
Plants generally poison by:
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
What are PhytotoxinsThese are natural toxic substances produced by plants within their tissues.
Phytotoxins include:
1-Photosensitizers
Compounds causing photosensitivity
Primary photosensitization, Hepatogenic photosensitization
( Fungicidal toxin)
2-Minerals
Copper, lead, cadmium, fluorine, manganese)
Nitrogen (Nitrites-nitrates, Nitrosos, Gaseous oxides of nitrogen), Selenium, Molybdenum
3-Bitters (Bitter principles)
4-Volatile oil
5-Alkaloids
6-Glycosides
Cyanogenetic (nitrile) glycosides), Coumarin glycosides, Steroid and triterpenoid glycosides,
Cardiac glycosides, Saponins
7-Resins
8-Amino acids and proteins
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
1-Photosensitizers
Photosensitization: is a condition in which
skin(areas exposed to light and lacking
significant protective hair or pigmentation) is
hyper-reactiveto sunlight
This results in:
1-Reddeningof skin especially in the skin not
containing hair
2-This causes the appearance of water pustules
3-Itchingand blistering occurs
4-Inflammation
e.g. a photosensitizing compound is Hypericin
It is a red-colored anthraquinone derivative
It is one of the principal active constituents of
Hypericum perforatum(Saint John’s wort).
Saint John’s wortis used in treatment of depression
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
2-Minera
mineral is a solid inorganic substance of natural
occurrence.
Some minerals cause rare toxicity, while others are
considered as toxic. Among the minerals considered
as toxic are: Selenium, Molybdenum, …..
Selenium:
Excessive ingestion of selenium will result is selenosis.
Symptoms of selenosis
-Garlic odor on the breath, -Gastrointestinal disorders
-Hair loss -Brittleness of teeth and nails, -Fatigue,
irritability ,Neurological damage
Extreme cases of selenosiscan result in:
-Cirrhosis of the liver, -Pulmonary edema, Death
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
3-Bitters (Bitter principles)
They are a group heterogeneous natural plant constituents
having a bitter taste.
They have a wide range of general actions including:
-Stimulating the appetite -Improving digestion
-Some specific actions associated with a specific herb
e.g. Santonin, which is very effective against roundworms
(e.g. Ascaris)
Santoninis isolated from the unexpanded flowers of
Artemisia species (Family Asteraceae)
In improper doses it is capable of producing
serious symptoms, and even death due to
respiratory paralysis.
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
4-Volatile oil
Volatile or essential oils, are mixtures of
hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds derived
from these hydrocarbons.
*In some oils (e.g. oil of turpentine) the
hydrocarbons predominate and only limited
amounts of oxygenated constituents are present.
*In other oils (e.g. oil of clove) the bulk of the oil consists of oxygenated
compounds.
*The odor and taste of volatile oils is mainly determined by the oxygenated
compounds.
*E.g. of poisonous volatile oils is the volatile oil of mustard
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
5.Alkaloids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring
alkaloids based on the structure of pyrrolizidine.
Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic → damaging to the liver.
*They are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against insects.
Acute toxicity in humans:
-Nausea -Acute upper-gastric pain -Fever
-Elevated liver enzymes -May lead to abdominal distention
-Mortality may occur as a result of hepatic failure.
N.B.
*In chronic ingestion of small amounts of Pas, the disease will
proceeds through fibrosis to cirrhosis.
*Removal of PA exposure will usually alleviate the disorder, but liver
cirrhosis is not readily reversible.
Senecio is a genus of the sunflower family. Human
chronic exposure can cause irreversible liver damage
Treatment:
•Try to remove the poisonous material from the victim's mouth and stomach as soon as
possible.
•Induce vomiting by tickling the back of his throat or by giving him warm saltwater, if he is
conscious.
•Dilute the poison by administering large quantities of water or milk, if he is conscious.
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
6-Oxalates
Oxalic acid is found in low levels in certain fruits and vegetables
that are common in some diets today e.g. tomatoes
The main toxicity of oxalic acid is due to the precipitation of calcium
oxalate in the kidney when urine becomes supersaturated with respect
to this salt.
This will result in impaired kidney function and formation of stones.
Rhubarb: contains oxalate the Toxic parts of it is The flat leaf blade
Toxicity: -Gastroenteritis
-Cramps -Nausea -Vomiting -Irritation of the mouth and throat
-Poor clotting of the blood -Internal hemorrhaging -Coma and death
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
6-Glycosides
Toxic glycosides include: cyanogenetic (nitrile) glycosides, goitrogenic substances,
irritant oils, coumarin glycosides and steroid (cardiac and saponic) glycosides
E.g. Cassava; common bean; sorghum; maize;
Yield HCN on hydrolysis (Ruminant animals)
E.g. Brassica family…cabbages, kale, soybean, rape seed;
Contain thiocyanates & thiooxazolidone…goitrogenic
E.g. horseradish; White mustard Contain
isothiocyanates…..mainly.. allyl isothiocyanate.
E.g. The sweetclovers (Melitotus alba, and
M.officinalis)……haemorrhagic
E.g. Consists of cardioactive glycosides (N.oleander & Thevetia
peruviana; Digitallis spp.) and noncardioactive (sapogenic glycosides
symptoms of cyanide poisoning consist primarily of: early stimulation of respiration; rapidly
changing to dyspnea; excitement; gasping; staggering; paralysis; prostration; convulsions;
coma and death.
The mucous membranes of mouth and eye may present evidence of congestion
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
6-Glycosides
Toxic glycosides include: cyanogenetic (nitrile) glycosides, goitrogenic substances,
irritant oils, coumarin glycosides and steroid (cardiac and saponic) glycosides
E.g. Cassava; common bean; sorghum; maize;
Yield HCN on hydrolysis (Ruminant animals)
E.g. Brassica family…cabbages, kale, soybean, rape seed;
Contain thiocyanates & thiooxazolidone…goitrogenic
E.g. horseradish; White mustard Contain
isothiocyanates…..mainly.. allyl isothiocyanate.
E.g. The sweetclovers (Melitotus alba, and
M.officinalis)……haemorrhagic
E.g. Consists of cardioactive glycosides (N.oleander & Thevetia
peruviana; Digitallis spp.) and noncardioactive (sapogenic glycosides
symptoms of cyanide poisoning consist primarily of: early stimulation of respiration; rapidly
changing to dyspnea; excitement; gasping; staggering; paralysis; prostration; convulsions;
coma and death.
The mucous membranes of mouth and eye may present evidence of congestion
Phytotoxins
Poisonous Plants
8-Amino acids and proteins
Ergot (Claviceps) alkaloids are accompanied with amines
which may be partially responsible for the toxicity
Certain algae e.g. Microcystis, a blue green algae,
fungi e.g. Amanita, a mushroom,
Phoradendron flavescens contain amines
(Phenylethylamine, tyramine) which are
credited with toxic action.
higher plants e.g. Blighia sapida, akee, contain toxic peptides.
Examples for toxic plants in
KSA
Poisonous Plants IN KSAFoxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)
Toxic principles : (both fresh and dried) cardiac or steroid glycosides,
Toxicity:
In humans toxic reactions include gastric upset, nausea, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, severe headache, pulse and cardiac rhythm
abnormalities, mental irregularities, drowsiness, tremors, convulsions,
and death. In livestock symptoms are similar and include bloody stools,
lack of appetite, and the urge to urinate. Lethality due to cardiac
arrhythmias
Treatment
Emesis if recent exposure, in animals that can vomit.
Atropine for bradycardia to prevent additional vacal stimulation
during passage of endotracheal tube to establish respiration.
Activated charcoal, saline cathartic, cholestyramine
(for enterohepatic circulation). Administration of antidigitalis antibody
fragments (Digibind).
Monitor potassium levels hourly. Phenytoin to improve AV
conduction, increase heart rate, treat complete heart block.
Avoid calcium containing solutions.
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Moon-lily (Datura inoxia)
Toxicity:
Symptoms vary in time of appearance (a few minutes for
decoctions to several hours for ingestion of seeds). They include
intense thirst, visual disturbance, flushed skin, and central nervous
system hyperirritability. Victims become delirious, incoherent, and
perform insensible antics. Heart beat may be rapid with elevated
temperature. Subjects may be prone to violence, hallucination,
convulsions, coma, and death, Ingestion of small amounts produces
symptoms; larger amounts, death.
Toxic Principles:
Solanaceous (tropane) atropine, hyosayamine and hyoscine.
alkaloids concentration decreases during the day but increases at
night.
Treatment:
Gastric lavage, emesis ; treat symptoms saw they appear,
supportive therapy. Artificial respiration and oxygen: Paraldehyde
(2-10 cc)IM.
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L )
ToxicityPrinciple poisonous found in castor bean is a phytotoxin called ricin, Ricinine.
Ricin may comprise up to 3% of the seed weight,
All parts of the plants re toxic, but the most toxic are the seeds.
Horses are most susceptible to poisoning ( 0.01% of body weight) .
Seeds ingested at 0.2% of body weight have cased toxicosis in cattle
Toxicity is seen most often in spring and summer.
Toxic Parts:
1-3 seeds may be fatal to a child, 2-4, to an adult.
Toxic Principles:The highly toxic glycoprotein ricin is responsible for poisoning.
This phytotoxin, a composite of various amino acids, consists of a neutral alpha-chain capable of
inhibiting protein synthesis and an acidic beta-chain, which functions as a carrier and moiety that binds
the toxin to cell surface.
Treatment:Intestinal detoxification and intestinal protectants, administered by stomach tube are indicated.
If dehydrated, large amounts of intravenous fluids assist in recovery.
Ascorbic acid increases survival.
Support respiration.
Poisonous Plants IN KSAHedera helix L
اللبالب السامToxic Parts:
The black berries and leaves of English ivy are poisonous if
consumed in quantity.
Toxicity:
Hedera helix is a purgative that produces local irritation,
excessive salivation, nausea, excitement, difficulty in
breathing, severe diarrhea, thirst, and coma.
Toxic Principles:
The toxic substance is hederin, a glycoside of the steroidal
saponin hederagenin.
Treatment: -
Gastric lavage, emesis ;
paraldehyde (2-10 cc) IM;
Artificial respiration and oxygen
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Narcissus pseudo-narcissus
النرجس
Toxic Parts: All parts specially leaves and bulbs
Toxicity: Nausea , vomiting, diarrhea, convulsion
Toxic Principles: Alkaloids , narcissin
Treatment: Gastric lavage, emesis
Toxic Parts: All parts
Toxicity: It causes for horses blindness and blurred
vision
Toxic Principles: Ammoidin, xanthotoxin and
pergaptin. The plant contains nitrite
Treatment:Gastric lavage, emesis
Ammi majus L الخلة الشيطانى
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Apium graveolin- L الكرفس
Catharanthus roseus- L فنكا
Toxic Parts: Aerial Parts
Toxicity: It Causes Abortion
Toxic Principles: Flavonoidal Glycsides Ap,
Flarinoniin
Treatment: gastric Lavage, Emesis
Toxic Parts: All Parts
Toxicity: Toxemia تسمم الدم
Toxic Principles: Alkaloids Vincistine, Vinblastine
Treatment: gastric Lavage, Emesis
Aconitum spp
Poisonous Part: All parts.
Symptoms: Burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat;
intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms,
weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions; may
be fatal.
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Thevitia peruviana الدفلة الصفراء
Lolium temulentum الزوان المسكر
Toxic Parts: All parts
Toxicity: Abortion and death
Toxic Principles: Thevetoxin, kokilphin, phytosterolin
Treatment: Gastric lavage, emesis
Toxic Parts:
The seeds and seed heads are considered poisonous.
Toxicity:
In humans, darnel poisoning is characterized by the sensation of
intoxication, ataxia, giddiness, apathy, various abnormal sensations,
mydriasis, nausea, vomiting, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea. It is rarely
fatal.
Toxic Principles:
The alkaloids temuline and loliine possibly are responsible for
toxicity of darnel. It also has been suggested that toxicity may be due
to a parasitic fungus living within the seed head.
Treatment: Contact physician and /or poison control centre
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Mustards Brassica
Toxic Parts: Seeds and plants with seed capsules are poisonous.
Toxicity: The effects of Brassica poisoning vary depending upon the
species of plant consumed
Brassica Kaber(DC) L. (wild mustard) is known to cause
gastroenteritis, pain, salivation, diarrhea, and upper digestive tract
disturbances, including irritation of the mouth.
Some cultivated mustards such as
Brassica oleracea var acephala DC (common kale), cause hemolytic
anemia and hemoglobinuria in some livestock. Goitrogenic
substances (LS-vinyl-2-thioaxazolidone) are known in kale, cabbage,
and turnip (Brassica rapa L.),
Toxic Principles:
The substance responsible for toxicosis is sinigrin,
which with the enzyme myrosinase, is converted to glucose, allyl
isothiocyanate (mustard oil), & potassium hydrogen sulfate.
Mustard oils are poisonous. The toxicity, by ingestion, of allyl
isothiocyanate in cattle( 0.001% of the body weight)
Treatment: treat symptoms as they appear, supportive therapy
Poisonous Plants IN KSA
Indian tobacco Lobelia inflate L
Lobelia inflata used medicinally as a respiratory stimulant and in
veterinary science as a respiratory stimulant.
Toxic Parts:
All parts of Lobelia are poisonous. Lobelia is toxic to animals at 0.5%
of body weight.
Toxicity:
Toxicosis develops within 3 days. In livestock, symptoms are
sluggishness, salivation, diarrhea, anorexia, ulceration around the
mouth, nasal discharges, and eventually coma. Also, lesions of
hemorrhage and mild gastroenteritis may be present. In humans,
symptoms include vomiting, sweating, pain, paralysis, depressed
temperature, rapid but weak pulse, collapse, coma, and death.
Toxic Principle:
Toxins are pyridine alkaloids, especially lobeline.
Treatment :-
1. Contact physician and /or poison control centre.
2. Gastric lavage, emesis ; treat symptoms as they appear, supportive
therapy ; Artficial respiration and oxygen , atropine 2 mg IM .
