Toxic Hallucinogenic and
Allergic Plants
Prof. Suleiman Olimat
1
1. Introduction
•Humans learned about plant toxicity
early on, by probably the hard way.
When toxicity was high, it was
exploited for hunting or for war;
when it was moderate, humans
learned to watch out for it.
• In fact, vernacular names document this empirical knowledge (poison
hemlock, deadly nightshade, henbane, dumbcane, poison oak).
• Early on as well, humans recorded their observations.
• In common language, toxic plant is equated with poison hemlock,
digitalis, belladonna, in other words “lethal” plants. Fortunately, the
problems caused by the plants in our environment are generally less
dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets.
• Respiratory allergy,
• allergic dermatitis, phytophotodermatitis,
• and thorn injury are plant problems as probable as ingestion.
• Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant
is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and
vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is
ingested. However a suitable definition is that
poisonous plants are those which contain specific
components that when small quantities are used
(via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific
biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms.
• In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded
103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to
determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true
consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at
fault.
• Health professionals, physicians, pharmacists are the first to be
concerned with incidents and accidents caused by plants.
• Pharmacist are considered the only health professional members
who are familiar in botany, so is the main defense line.
• Humans learned about plant toxicity early on, by
probably the hard way.
• When toxicity was high, it was exploited for hunting
or for war; when it was moderate, humans learned to
watch out for it.
• In fact, vernacular names document this empirical
knowledge (poison hemlock, deadly nightshade,
henbane, dumb- cane, poison oak). Early on as well,
humans recorded their observations.
• In common language, toxic plant is equated with
poison hemlock, digitalis, belladonna, in other words
“lethal” plants. Fortunately, the problems caused by
the plants in our environment are generally less
dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets.
• Respiratory allergy, allergic dermatitis, phytophotodermatitis, and thorn injury are plant problems as
probable as ingestion.
• Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant
is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and
vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is
ingested. However a suitable definition is that
poisonous plants are those which contain specific
components that when small quantities are used
(via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific
biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms.
• In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded
103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to
determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true
consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at
fault.
• It is well known that many plants produce chemical
compounds which cause different reaction for other
living organisms, ether in direct contact or by
ingestion.
• Primary compounds can be defined as those required
for a plant's basic metabolism. Secondary
compounds, loosely, are all others.
• Many of the secondary metabolites would be toxic to
the organism producing them if allowed to
accumulate or become concentrated in living tissues.
• Plants evolved self-protective ways of handling
potentially toxic secondary metabolites by:
• removing them physically into metabolically inactive
locations (e.g. bark, vacuoles, roots, etc);
• converting them into non toxic compounds via specific
chemical reactions (hydroxylation);
• Plants found that secondary metabolites gave them an
opportunity for effective defense against attack by
herbivorous insects.
• For years, emphasis was shown mainly on these plant compounds
possessing many therapeutically activities.
• Poisonous plants are to be found among all types of native plants: algae,
fungi, ferns, herbs, shrubs, and trees.
• Some of our most cultivated ornamentals are extremely poisonous
and these plants very common in houses and public buildings.
Fortunately, relatively large amounts of most plants are necessary to
produce serious or fatal poisoning in man.
• The majority of the victims in poisoning are children; small children have
a great curiosity and will often chew on anything within reach. Much
smaller amounts of the toxin are needed to cause very severe or fatal
results.
• The toxic constituents of these plants are determined
by different factors such as: stage of the development,
climate and other environmental factors, habitat,
plant parts, and different varieties of the same
species.
•
The term poisonous plant designates many kinds
of plants as well as a wide range of poisonous or
disturbing effects. These effects may generally be
classified as:
2. INTERNAL POISONING CAUSED BY EATING
PLANT PARTS
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Gastrointestinal Irritants
Oxalates ( calcium oxalate, oxalic acid)
Protoanemonins ( protoanemonin, ranunculin)
Toxalbumins ( ricin)
Saponins ( hederin, cucurbitacin E)
Action on the heart muscle
( Cardiovascular Stimulants/ Depressants)
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Cardenolides ( oleander, squill)
Diterpene Alkaloids ( aconite)
Glycosteroidal Alkaloids ( solanine, solasodine)
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ( Iycorine)
• C. Colchicinoids
• D. Carcinogenic irritant Eupborbiaceae
• F. Action on the autonomic nervous system
- Anticholinergics ( hyoscyamine, scopolamine)
- Nicotinomimetic Alkaloids (coniine, nicotine)
• G. Cyanogenic Plants ( amygdaline, prunasin)
• H- Toxins and Teratogens
• I – Miscellaneous
ALLERGIES OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO WINDBLOWN SPORES OR POLLEN.
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Inhalant Allergens
Ingestant Allergens
Injectant allergens
Contactant allergens
3. DERMATITIS OR SKIN IRRITATION CAUSED BY DIRECT OR INDIRECT
CONTACT WITH A PLANT.
4. MECHANICAL INJURY FROM SHARP PRICKLES, OR THORNS FOUND IN
MANY PLANTS.
5. Hallucinogens
• Fungi
• Lysergic Acid Derivatives (LSD)
• Indian Hemp
• Ibogain
• DMT ( Dimethyltryptamine)
• Peyote
• Coca and Cocaine
• Alkaloids of Opium
• Our objectives are to increase the awareness of these
potential dangers, to aid in the identification of the
more common poisonous plants native, ornamental
or cultivated in Jordan, and to assist you in the
recognition of symptoms and treatment of such
cases.
• This field is where the practicing pharmacist, in his
ever-expanding clinical role of adviser, can make an
outstanding contribution to public health and
community welfare.