Lecture 27 - poisons 2

these people can eat this plant because they have developed a tolorance. Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade): - Consumed as vegetable in Asia, Africa, Europe - Also used as tonic for elderly S. americanum (American Black Nightshade) - Leaves eaten by Cherokee -- Hmong immigrants from Laos, Malaysia use as pot herb in US: *Immune to its effects *Boiling removes some solanine ** Building a tolerance to toxins is controversial!

3) Tolerance of individual---Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade) & S. americanum (American Black Nightshade). what people were able to eat these plant and why?

Digitalis purpurea--- Low dose: treats heart arrhythmia. High dose: DEATH Datura stramonium-- Low dose - bronchodilator and antispasmodic High dose - DEATH

Factors Influencing Poison Efficacy: 1) dose.....Nearly every plant discussed so far can be lethal with high dose!! what are the two examples we talked about?

Potato-Solanum tuberosum: only the shoots/roots contain solanine, not the potato Solanine - mechanism of action: 1. inhibits cholinesterase 2. disrupts cell membranes (especially mitochondria), leading to apoptosis NIH: never eat potatoes that are green below skin (...but don't throw away $$, they are fine if peeled!)

Factors Influencing Poison Efficacy: 2) Intraspecific variation of plant species.....like a potato. What active compound does this plant contain? what is its mechanism? when should you never eat potatos?

Individual plants vary in toxicity--- Edible to highly toxic Black Nightshade-Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae) contains solanine- alkaloid causing drowsiness & salivation--can also cause paralysis & death Mechanism: disruption of mitochondrial membrane (?)

Factors Influencing Poison Efficacy: 2) Intraspecific variation of plant species.....like the black nightshade. what active compound does this plant contain? what is its mechanism?

Individual plants vary in toxicity--- Edible to highly toxic ex # 1: Black Nightshade-Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae) ex# 2: Potato-Solanum tuberosum both of these contain the active compound: solanine

Factors Influencing Poison Efficacy: 2) Intraspecific variation of plant species...what are the examples we talked about?

1) Dose 2) Intraspecific variation of plant species 3) Tolerance of individual 4) Method of administration 5) Indirect transfer 6) Additive accumulation 7) Nature of toxin (acute vs. chronic)

Factors Influencing Poison Efficacy??

Indirect transfer - Poison can be transferred from direct source. milk sickness- cows eat this plant, it is produced in cows system & we drink cows milk Symptoms: listlessness, cramps, vomiting, constipation Degeneration of liver, kidney, muscle -Sometimes used for kidney ailments in 19th century -Caused by Tremetol (fat-soluble, alcohol) - Highest amount in green plant, remains if dried read) -1818 epidemic - Ohio & Mississippi river valleys -Killed humans & livestock -Cumulative toxic effects in dairy cattle

How has White snakeroot been able to poison people? what is the mode of administration? what compound is this caused by? what are the symptoms?

yes

Is building a tolerance to toxins controversial?

Arsenic poisoning -Additive accumulation (it accumulates in your body & never goes away...too much build up & killed him) -- Poison is not expelled from body --Continual uptake gradually weakens body read) --Symptoms of last illness (1826): Periodic bouts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness *arsenic was used in- mineral - hair and fingernails - diary link - used in medicine at the time - effect cumulative - poisoning accidental???

Napoleon died of what was thought to be stomach cancer but actually turned out to be from? How did this kill him?

Death Cap- mushroom poisoning - Consumed Cortinarius speciosissimus in England • causes renal failure • survivors require kidney dialysis or replacement read) • rare species • effects occur over several hours to days

Nicholas Evans -Author of The Horse Whisperer died from what? what does it cause?

KGB-designed umbrella delivery device (small amount of ricin used to kill him). --guy bumped into him with umbrella & sprinkled ricin on him -- Developed fever that evening, was admitted to hospital, and died three days later

Ricin - Used to assassinate Bulgarian playwright Georgy Markov in 1978 in London....how?

if you squeeze the seeds it can make oil- Oil used as laxative -if you swallow the seeds whole, nothing will happen to you b/c bean has thick protective layer - Seeds also contain ricin: A method of processing seeds for use in chemical warfare was patented in the USA in 1962

can you eat Ricinus communis (castor Bean) plant? what can be made from this plant? is it poisonous?

More toxic to cancer cells (but still toxic to our cells)

is ricin an Effective cancer treatment?

No antidote exists, but depending on dosage and route of exposure (inhalation vs. ingestion), most patients can be saved

is there a antidote to ricin poisoning?

*if you ingest this plant it is poisonous and will kill you. active compound: taxine (ingestion) *seeds are bright red, edible, slimy, tasty. But the green part in the middle of the red fruit is toxic. and if you eat the leaves you will die! *Often planted as ornamental shrubs *acute toxin- a single small dose will kill someone *Toxic fresh or dried *Symptoms: Sudden death A few leaves is enough to kill a dog *Rxn due to taxine - slows down cardiac conduction, sudden vasodilation. Death due to cardiac and/or respiratory collapse.

what active compound does "Yew" taxus spp. contain? what can this compound do? why does the method of administration matter? what parts are toxic?

INGECTION curare- poison if injected into blood stream. No danger if ingested thru GI system *lots of times used for hunting & put on darts to shoot/kill prey

what active compound does Chondrodendron tomentosum contain? what can this compound do? why does the method of administration matter?

Types: 1) Ingestion 2) Inhalation 3) Injection 4) Open wounds

what are the different Methods of administration for poisoning someone?

False morels (Verpa bohemica) - Morels - 1 pound = $50 - False morels - monomethyl hydrazine —> • vomiting • dizziness • diarrhea • death

what are the mushrooms that look like Morels -"Morchella esculenta" (these are edible mushrooms) but are not & are poisonous? what compound do false morels contain? how much are morels?

Contains grayanotoxins--- Bind to Na channels in membranes Prevents inactivation Excited cells maintained in depolarized state *All parts of plants are poisonous *Honey intoxication read) - dizziness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, shock, <24 hrs -Dosage: 225g of azalea leaves must be eaten to seriously poison a 55 lb child.

what compound do Azalea / Rhododendron contain? are they poisonous? what parts? what is the mechanism?

he accidently pocked himself with a curare dart but got help just in time & saved himself

what did Dr. Michael Balick accidently do?

common house plant if you chew on this, you can't talk. vocals become earritated and swell up. this is caused by Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals - Mostly concentrated in the stem - Mechanism: converts to calcium & oxalic acid in stomach - Effects: intense burning inflammation violent choking *Also known to poison dogs, cats

what happens if you ingest Dumbcane? what is this caused by? what part of the plant is most concentrated? what is the mechanism? what are the effects?

castor bean contains ricin

what is another name for Ricinus communis plant? what poison does this plant contain?

ricin is a complex protein. made of two subunits: B - binds to cells A - passes into cell, deactivates ribosomes —> Prevents cells from making proteins

what is ricin made of?

- Most lethal mushroom -- survivors may require liver transplants (if you eat this you will probably die) - 3 stages of poisoning: 1) 6-24 hrs: dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, shock 2) 2-4 days: false recovery 3) 5+ days: liver/kidney failure (death in 7-10 days)

what is the Death Cap- "Amanita phalloides" ? if you eat this and survive what surgery might have to take place? what are the three stages of poisoning?

Entire plant toxic - Contains many alkaloids - Fatal to cattle -good ornamental plants b/c they are toxic Read) - Causes dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea - Convulsions and death with large doses

what part of the Daffodil Narcissus spp is toxic? what compounds does it contain? what is it fatal to? what is it a lot of times used for?