plant poisoning

toxic plants

Plants that produce toxins (toxic chemicals)

plant toxins

§Toxic compounds produced by plants

plant toxin nomenclature

§Genus originated

§Chemical originated

plants

third most common cause of poisonings among children in the United States.

types of toxic plants

§Woody or Herbaceous

§Annuals or Perennials

§Desirables or Non-desirables

§Ornamentals and Flowers

§Angel Trumpet Plant

herbal supplements

Boneset

§Spices and Food

Nutmeg

§Weeds and Wildflowers

Spurge

§Cultivated for toxins

§Chrysanthemums – natural pyrethrum

Accidental

§Incidental contact

§Ingestion due to miss-identification

§Ingested due to contamination

Intentional

§Murder

§Suicide

general poisoning tx

§Seek professional medical care

§Antidotes uncommon

§Provide supportive care

§Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

§Toxin: Bromelain

§A proteolytic enzyme

§Marketed as a digestive system aid

§Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

§Potential Adverse Health Effects:

§Indigestion, nausea and diarrhea

§Vomiting, increased heart rate, drowsiness

§Abnormal uterine bleeding or heavy menstruation

§ may also increase the absorption of some medications (antibiotics, blood thinners, NSAID)

§Wisteria Vine (Wisteria floribunda)

§A woody vine with lilac-colored flowers

§Toxin: Lectin and Wisterin (seeds)

§Wisteria Vine (Wisteria floribunda)

§Severe gastroenteritis when seeds are ingested

§A few seeds can result in headache, nausea and diarrhea within hours; followed by dizziness, confusion and hematemesis

§Wisteria Vine (Wisteria floribunda)

§Tx:

§Wipe out their mouth, rinse with water and spit to remove plant material from their mouth

§Sucking on ice chips to relieve mouth irritation pain

§Nausea or vomiting - keep hydrated with frequent small sips of clear fluids

§American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

§A perennial, herbaceous plant

§A weed, but has been used in landscaping

§Family:  Phytolaccaceae

§American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

§Ingestion of poisonous parts of the plant may cause:

§Severe stomach cramping

§Nausea with persistent diarrhea and vomiting

§Slow and difficult breathing

§Weakness, spasms, hypotension, severe convulsions

§Death

§Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

§Family: Euphorbiaceae

§Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

§Ricin I

§Ricin II (more toxic of the two)

§Both block protein synthesis

Castor Bean

§Symptoms of poisoning:

§Persistent vomiting

§Bloody diarrhea

§Dehydration

§Icterus (Jaundice)

Death from castor bean ingestion

due to necrosis in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, intestine and stomach

Phototoxins

can cause photosensitivity in exposed individuals

Common phototoxic plants

§Marigolds – alpha-terthienyl

§Limes – coumarins

§Celery – angelicin, bergapten,

  methoxy-psoralen, psoralen

Allergic Contact Dermat

§Many cases are seen every year due to Rhus trees (Toxicodendron succadaneum), which are ornamental trees with lovely autumn colors.

§Primrose (Primula obconica) and chrysanthemum can also cause allergic rashes.

§Philodendron scandens

§A common houseplant that can cause an allergic contact dermatitis.

§Toxin: resourcinols

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

§The allergic component is a mixture of catechols called urushiol

Cardiovascular “toxins”

§Nausea

§Emesis (vomiting)

§Hypotension

§Bradycardia (abnormal slowness of the heartbeat)

§Muscle spasm

Foxglove, Witch’s glove, Dead Man’s Bells (Digitalis purpurea

§Family: Scrophulariaceae

active constituents of Digitalis

§Digitoxin

§Digitalin

§Digitalien

Foxglove

§Dizziness

§Vomiting

§Irregular heartbeat

§Delirium

Hyperkalaemia

will improve with giving digoxin-specific antibody fragments

Lignocaine

 can be used for ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atropine for bradyarrhythmias.

§Mistletoe (Phoradendron tomentosum)

§Family: Viscaceae

§Toxin: phoratoxin

§Mistletoe (Phoradendron tomentosum)

§Hypotension

§Bradycardia

§Vasoconstriction of the skin and skeletal muscle

§Oleander or Dogbane (Nerium oleander)

§Family: Apocynaceae

§Toxins: Oleandrin and Neriine

§cardiac glycosides

§Oleander or Dogbane (Nerium oleander)

§All parts of the plant are toxic but sap contains the highest concentration

oleander

§Gastrointestinal Effects:

§nausea and vomiting

§excess salivation

§abdominal pain

§diarrhea

Oleander

§Cardiac Effects:

§Irregular heart rate (racing heart then slows to below normal

§Erratic heart beat (no sign of a specific rhythm)

§Extremities may become pale and cold due to poor or irregular circulation

Oleander

§Central Nervous System Effects:

§Drowsiness

§Tremors or shaking of the muscles

§Seizures and coma that can lead to death

§Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

§Family:  Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

§Toxin:  Coniine (an alkaloid)

§Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

§Symptoms are those of ascending paralysis

§Nausea and vomiting

§Speech and movement retardation

§Dilated pupils

§Paralysis of the limbs

§Respiratory paralysis and death