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Journal of Ethnopharmacology Mar 2021The different plant parts of Cassia occidentalis Linn, (CO) such as root, leaves, seeds and pods have traditionally been used in multifarious medicines for the treatment...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
The different plant parts of Cassia occidentalis Linn, (CO) such as root, leaves, seeds and pods have traditionally been used in multifarious medicines for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, constipation, fever, eczema, cancer and venereal diseases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search of literature has been done in books and scientific databases like Science Direct, Pubmed, Google Scholar and Scopus etc. These sources were used to compile, analyze and review the information regarding the phytochemistry, toxicology and mechanism of toxicity of CO. The various references on this subject are cited in our review ranging from 1956 to 2019.
RESULTS
Unintentional exposure of CO causes serious pathological condition in children, known as hepato-myo-encephalopathy (HME). The toxicity after CO consumption is associated with the presence of anthraquinones (AQs), a class of secondary plant metabolites. These AQs at high concentrations are known to cause detrimental effects on essential vital organs such as liver, kidney, spleen, brain, muscle and reproductive organs. The animal studies in rodent models as well as clinical investigations have clearly revealed that CO toxicity is associated with enhanced hepatotoxicity serum markers (ALT, AST, and LDH) and presence of necrotic lesions in liver. Furthermore, CO also causes vacuolization in muscle tissue and increases the level of CPK which is a prominent muscle damage marker. Apart from these target organs, CO consumption also causes neuronal damage via disturbing the levels of different proteins such as (GFAP and b-tubulin III). The mechanistic studies show that AQs present in CO have the potential to disturb the cellular homeostasis via binding to DNA, increasing the production ROS and showing inhibitory effects on essential enzymes etc. Therefore, AQs have been observed to be the primary culprit agents contributing to the toxicity of CO in children and animals.
CONCLUSION
Despite its therapeutic potential, CO consumption can be detrimental if consumed in high amounts. A thorough analysis of literature reveals that AQs are the primary factors contributing to toxicity of CO seeds. Exposure to CO seeds causes HME, which is a serious life threatening condition for the malnourished children from lower strata. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the CO induced HME in patients. Lack of appropriate diagnostic measures and a poor understanding of the CO toxicity mechanism in humans and animals complicate the clinical management of CO poisoning subjects. Therefore, development of point of care diagnostic kits shall help in early diagnosis & suitable management of CO poisoning.
Topics: Animals; Anthraquinones; Brain; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Humans; Liver; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Diseases; Plant Extracts; Prognosis; Seeds; Senna Plant
PubMed: 33011371
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113431 -
Toxins Jun 2023is a genus of about 140 plant species, some of which are well-known for causing animal poisoning resulting in significant economic losses to the Australian livestock... (Review)
Review
is a genus of about 140 plant species, some of which are well-known for causing animal poisoning resulting in significant economic losses to the Australian livestock industry. The main poisonous species/subspecies include (subsp. and subsp. ), and (generally referred to as ). These plants contain a diterpenoid orthoester toxin, called simplexin. poisoning is known to cause the death of cattle ( and ) or weaken surviving animals. species are well-adapted native plants, and their diaspores (single seeded fruits) possess variable degrees of dormancy. Hence, the diaspores do not generally germinate in the same recruitment event, which makes management difficult, necessitating the development of integrated management strategies based on infestation circumstances (e.g., size and density). For example, the integration of herbicides with physical control techniques, competitive pasture establishment and tactical grazing could be effective in some situations. However, such options have not been widely adopted at the field level to mitigate ongoing management challenges. This systematic review provides a valuable synthesis of the current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and management of poisonous species with a focus on the Australian livestock industry while identifying potential avenues for future research.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Plants, Toxic; Australia; Livestock; Diterpenes; Plant Poisoning; Thymelaeaceae
PubMed: 37368675
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060374 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2006Cardenolides are naturally occurring plant toxins which act primarily on the heart. While poisoning with the digitalis cardenolides (digoxin and digitoxin) are reported... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cardenolides are naturally occurring plant toxins which act primarily on the heart. While poisoning with the digitalis cardenolides (digoxin and digitoxin) are reported worldwide, cardiotoxicity from other cardenolides such as the yellow oleander are also a major problem, with tens of thousands of cases of poisoning each year in South Asia. Because cardenolides from these plants are structurally similar, acute poisonings are managed using similar treatments. The benefit of these treatments is of interest, particularly in the context of cost since most poisonings occur in developing countries where resources are very limited.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy of antidotes for the treatment of acute cardenolide poisoning, in particular atropine, isoprenaline (isoproterenol), multiple-dose activated charcoal (MDAC), fructose-1,6-diphosphate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium, phenytoin and anti-digoxin Fab antitoxin.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Controlled Trials Register of the Cochrane Collaboration, Current Awareness in Clinical Toxicology, Info Trac, www.google.com.au, and Science Citation Index of studies identified by the previous searches. We manually searched the bibliographies of identified articles and personally contacted experts in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials where antidotes were administered to patients with acute symptomatic cardenolide poisoning were identified.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We independently extracted data on study design, including the method of randomisation, participant characteristics, type of intervention and outcomes from each study. We independently assessed methodological quality of the included studies. A pooled analysis was not appropriate.
MAIN RESULTS
Two randomised controlled trials were identified, both were conducted in patients with yellow oleander poisoning. One trial investigated the effect of MDAC on mortality, the relative risk (RR) was 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 0.83) indicating a beneficial effect. The second study found a beneficial effect of anti-digoxin Fab antitoxin on the presence of cardiac dysrhythmias at two hours post-administration; the RR was 0.60 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.81). Other benefits were also noted in both studies and serious adverse effects were minimal. Studies assessing the effect of antidotes on other cardenolides were not identified. One ongoing study investigating the activated charcoal for acute yellow oleander self-poisoning was also identified.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is some evidence to suggest that MDAC and anti-digoxin Fab antitoxin may be effective treatments for yellow oleander poisoning. However, the efficacy and indications of these interventions for the treatment of acute digitalis poisoning is uncertain due to the lack of good quality controlled clinical trials. Given pharmacokinetic differences between individual cardenolides, the effect of antidotes administered to patients with yellow oleander poisoning cannot be readily translated to those of other cardenolides. Unfortunately cost limits the use of antidotes such as anti-digoxin Fab antitoxin in developing countries where cardenolide poisonings are frequent. More research is required using relatively cheap antidotes which may also be effective.
Topics: Acute Disease; Antidotes; Cardenolides; Cardiac Glycosides; Charcoal; Humans; Phytotherapy; Poisoning; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thevetia
PubMed: 17054261
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005490.pub2 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... May 2021Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. (Fabaceae) is a plant native to Brazil and occurs in the phytogeographic domains of Caatinga and Cerrado. Relevant studies have...
Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. (Fabaceae) is a plant native to Brazil and occurs in the phytogeographic domains of Caatinga and Cerrado. Relevant studies have investigated the chemical components of this plant and others have already demonstrated its teratogenic potential. It has been proven that this plant causes congenital malformations in farm animals and, consequently, financial losses to farmers in the Brazilian semiarid region. The present work aimed to carry out a bibliographic survey on the teratogenic effects of M. tenuiflora in ruminants and to group the chemical compounds occurring in this species. For this, databases were consulted and twenty-four articles published in the last 30 years (1990-2020) were included. According to the scientific documents analyzed, M. tenuiflora has embryotoxic, fetotoxic and abortive potential in farm animals, especially sheep and goats. The main classes of chemical compounds present in this species are alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. It is likely that some of these substances, mainly the indole alkaloid N,N-dimethyltryptamine, are related to the teratogenic effects reported in ruminants in the Brazilian semiarid region.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Fabaceae; Mimosa; Plant Poisoning; Ruminants; Sheep; Teratogens
PubMed: 33727031
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.03.010 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Apr 2019Urban migrant herbal medicine is an important topic on a global scale. Through bibliographical analysis of published studies we can get an overview of the different...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Urban migrant herbal medicine is an important topic on a global scale. Through bibliographical analysis of published studies we can get an overview of the different hybridisation processes at work in cities around the world, the main medicinal plants used and the principal ailments treated. We analysed the differential characteristics of urban ethnobotanical studies involving transnational migrant and non-migrant populations, in order to contribute useful information for the design of public health policies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic and integrative revision was conducted, leading to a final selection of 66 primary sources, including studies with and without immigrants. In both cases, richness (S), considered as the sum of all species cited in the work, botanical families and reported ailments were recorded. Based on the work of Ladio and Albuquerque (2014) the main hybridisation processes identifiable in the literature were assessed. These were: fusion, relocation, re-combination of different species, their restructuring as medicinal targets, spatial segregation in usage, innovations found in the circulation and consumption of the plants, and the presence of simultaneous coexistence of different symbolic universes in plant medical practices.
DATA ANALYSIS
This was qualitative and quantitative, including both in-depth interpretative content analysis of the studies and frequency analysis of numerical data, such as species richness, botanical families, ailments and the hybridisation processes detected. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyse whether the probability of medicinal plant hybridisation processes occurring was the same in literature with and without migrants.
RESULTS
A total of 522 medicinal species formed part of the main urban ethnobotany worldwide; the majority were cosmopolitan in distribution and belonged to the Asteriaceae and Lamiaceae families. Only 21% of these species appeared in both migrant and non-migrant studies. Most were used for gastrointestinal and hepatic ailments. Surprisingly, culture-related illnesses were not frequently mentioned, probably due to lack of recognition and re-interpretation by authors. Logistic analysis showed that in the studies with migrants, relocation and restructuring of plant use were the most frequently identified processes, while in the studies involving only non-migrants fusion was 4 times more likely to be found than in studies with migrants.
CONCLUSIONS
Our research on hybridisation processes shows that cities constitute an environment that fosters a rapid exchange of practices and knowledge about the available species. Studies with migrants have shown that they reproduce traditional models in their use of plants, and so relocation and restructuring of their herbal medicine are the principal processes. Health risks in this case are related to the difficulties faced by these groups in obtaining their plants and reproducing their practices. In the case of fusion processes observed in non-migrants, who do not normally have a long history or much experience of plant use, errors or poisoning may result from misuse. This information highlights the importance of considering these processes in health policies, particularly when there are no significant quality controls of these resources.
Topics: Emigrants and Immigrants; Humans; Logistic Models; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Transients and Migrants; Urban Population
PubMed: 30658184
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.013 -
BMC Public Health Jul 2021Poisoning is a major problem in India. However, there is little systematic information on the key poisons responsible for most deaths by geographical area and over time....
BACKGROUND
Poisoning is a major problem in India. However, there is little systematic information on the key poisons responsible for most deaths by geographical area and over time. We aimed to review the literature to identify the poison classes causing the greatest number of deaths in India over the last 20 years.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review in Medline, Embase and Google Scholar (1999-2018), and Indian online medical journals, to find papers that reported deaths from all forms of poisoning in India, with last search 20 April 2020. We included epidemiological studies, observational studies, randomised trials, interventional studies, and case series published from 1999 to 2018 that showed the number of deaths and autopsy studies indicating the specific poisons or poison classes. Studies providing the case fatality for specific poisons or classes, which enabled calculation of the number of deaths, were also included. We excluded deaths due to animal bites and stings, ethanol or methanol poisoning, and gas inhalation as well as papers reporting a single death (case study of single patient). We grouped the papers into 5-year intervals and identified the two most common poison classes in each paper. We used descriptive statistics to summarise the findings over time based on the causative poison and the location of the study.
RESULTS
We identified 186 papers reporting 16,659 poisoning deaths between 1999 and 2018. The number of publications per 5-year interval showed no clear trend over the period (48, 38, 67, and 36 for consecutive periods). Half of the deaths (n = 8338, 50.0%) were reported during the first 5 years of the study (1999-2003), the number of deaths declining thereafter (to n = 1714 in 2014-2018). Deaths due to pesticide poisoning (94.5%) were dominant across the study period compared to other classes of poison [hair dye paraphenylenediamine poisoning (2.6%), medicine overdose (1.4%) or plant poisoning (1.0%)]. Among the pesticides, aluminium phosphide was the most important lethal poison during the first 10 years before declining markedly; organophosphorus insecticides were important throughout the period, becoming dominant in the last decade as aluminium phosphide cases declined. Unfortunately, few papers identified the specific organophosphorus insecticide responsible for deaths.
CONCLUSION
Use of the published literature to better understand the epidemiology of lethal poisoning in India has clear limitations, including secular variation in publishing practices and interest in poisoning. Unfortunately, there are no long-term detailed, combination hospital and community studies from India to provide this information. In their absence, our review indicates that pesticides are the most important poison in India, with organophosphorus insecticides replacing aluminium phosphide as the key lethal poison after government regulatory changes in 2001 reduced the latter's lethality. Plant and hair dye poisoning and medicines overdose caused few deaths. Aluminium phosphide deaths mostly occurred in northern Indian states, whereas deaths from organophosphorus insecticide poisoning occurred throughout India. Paraquat poisoning has become a clinical problem in the last 10 years. Lethal pesticide poisoning remains alarmingly common, emphasising the need for additional regulatory interventions to curtail the burden of pesticide poisoning deaths in India. More detailed reporting about the specific pesticide involved in lethal poisoning will be helpful to guide regulatory decisions.
Topics: Animals; Humans; India; Insecticides; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pesticides; Poisoning; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34294076
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11156-2 -
Archives of Environmental Health 1984The typical occupational cohort study includes all causes of mortality. However, emphasis is usually placed on the presence or absence of excess cancer mortality. A... (Review)
Review
The typical occupational cohort study includes all causes of mortality. However, emphasis is usually placed on the presence or absence of excess cancer mortality. A systematic review of completed occupational cohort studies to assess the findings and patterns of cardiovascular mortality would be useful. Although many of these studies will illustrate the "healthy worker effect" with deficits in mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes, a thorough review should indicate certain exposures needing further research. A recently published study of heart disease mortality in the rubber industry illustrates the potential use of such a literature review with subsequent follow up. Production workers in the rubber industry have shown small excesses in CAHD mortality. A follow-up study at one plant confirmed the known association between carbon disulfide and atherosclerosis, as well as suggested two new causal associations between CAHD and the use of phenol and ethanol as solvents. What additional techniques can be used to generate hypotheses on heart disease and occupation? Some possibilities include: A recent article describes the use of the results of occupational disease surveillance systems for occupational cancer research. A review of such systems for heart disease would be equally useful. It would be useful to review the quality and quantity of occupational data that has been collected in prospective cohort studies, such as those in Framingham and Evans County. The importance of examining the association between occupational exposures and heart disease include: Assessing whether adequate protection is afforded by current limits on exposure to substances known to cause heart disease (carbon disulfide, nitrates, and carbon monoxide).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topics: Adult; Animals; Antimony; Arsenic Poisoning; Carbon Disulfide; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Child; Cold Temperature; Coronary Disease; Fluorocarbons; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydrocarbons; Middle Aged; Nitrates; Noise; Occupational Diseases; Pneumoconiosis; Radiation Effects; Vibration
PubMed: 6380427
DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1984.9939528 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Mar 2021Bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids are generally present in plants of Berberidaceae, Monimiaceae and Ranunculaceae families in tropical and subtropical regions. Some...
RELEVANCE
Bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids are generally present in plants of Berberidaceae, Monimiaceae and Ranunculaceae families in tropical and subtropical regions. Some species of these families are used in traditional Chinese medicine, with the effects of clearing away heat and detoxification, promoting dampness and defecation, and eliminating sores and swelling. This article offers essential data focusing on 13 representative BBIQ compounds, which are mainly extracted from five plants. The respective botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity are summarized comprehensively. In addition, the ADME prediction of the 13 BBIQ alkaloids is compared and analyzed with the data obtained.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We have conducted a systematic review of the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of BBIQ alkaloids based on literatures collected from PubMed, Web of Science and Elsevier during 1999-2020. ACD/Percepta software was utilized to predict the pharmacokinetic parameters of BBIQ alkaloids and their affinity with enzymes and transporters.
RESULTS
Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetic and toxicity of 13 alkaloids, namely, tetrandrine, dauricine, curine, trilobine, isotrilobine, cepharanthine, daurisoline, thalicarpine, thalidasine, isotetrandrine, liensinine, neferine and isoliensinine, have been summarized in this paper. It can't be denied that these alkaloids are important material basis of pharmacological effects of family Menispermaceae and others, and for traditional and local uses which has been basically reproduced in the current studies. The 13 BBIQ alkaloids in this paper showed strong affinity and inhibitory effect on P-glycoprotein (P-gp), with poor oral absorption and potent binding ability with plasma protein. BBIQ alkaloids represented by tetrandrine play a key role in regulating P-gp or reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) in a variety of tumors. The irrationality of their usage could pose a risk of poisoning in vivo, including renal and liver toxicity, which are related to the formation of quinone methide during metabolism.
CONCLUSION
Although there is no further clinical evaluation of BBIQ alkaloids as MDR reversal agents, their effects on P-gp should not be ignored. Considering their diverse distribution, pharmacokinetic characteristics and toxicity reported during clinical therapy, the quality standards in different plant species and the drug dosage remain unresolved problems.
Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Benzylisoquinolines; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ethnobotany; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 33166629
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113566 -
Forensic Science Review Jan 2019The aim of this paper is to highlight the symptomatology in three Conium maculatum intoxication incidents, one of which was fatal. A number of studies were reviewed in...
The aim of this paper is to highlight the symptomatology in three Conium maculatum intoxication incidents, one of which was fatal. A number of studies were reviewed in order to update and summarize the relevant literature on the incidence, sociodemographic variables, method of poisoning, pathophysiology, diagnosis, variables associated with survival and fatality, management, and treatment of C. maculatum intoxication as well as the biosynthesis and biological effects of poison hemlock alkaloids. Results show that hemlock poisoning is relatively rare, although incidence varies in different regions, despite its worldwide distribution. Hemlock poisoning is more common in European and especially Mediterranean countries. The majority of the patients are adult males over 38 years of age. The clinical course of hemlock poisoning includes neurotoxicosis, tremor, vomiting, muscle paralysis, respiratory paralysis/failure, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. The therapeutic management focuses on absorption reduction, close observation for complications, and supportive therapy (especially for respiration). Acute occurrence is severe and life-threatening, but the survival rate is high if treatment is provided promptly. Recovery is rapid, generally taking only a few days.
Topics: Accidents; Aged; Alkaloids; Animals; Antidotes; Antiemetics; Charcoal; Chromatography, Liquid; Conium; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Gastric Lavage; Humans; Livestock; Male; Molecular Structure; Phytotherapy; Piperidines; Plant Poisoning; Respiratory Paralysis; Rhabdomyolysis; Suicide
PubMed: 30594904
DOI: No ID Found -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Nov 2020Pyrrolizidine alkaloids(PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids with a pyrrolizidine skeleton which can be found in about 3% of the world's flowering plants....
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids(PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids with a pyrrolizidine skeleton which can be found in about 3% of the world's flowering plants. It is notorious that PAs are cause the hepatoxic and genotoxic-carcinogenic effects by taking PA-containing herbs, food and dietary supplements. In order to control the poisoning caused by PAs, European Medicines Agency has set a limit of intake of PAs from herbal medicinal products at 0.007 μg of 1,2-unsaturated PAs/kg body weight. Nonetheless, a systematic overview of the amount of PAs in the herb has not been provided. Therefore, this paper is to systematically review the current status of PAs content analysis of herbal medicines and foods reported in the literature, and to provide theoretical and experimental support for the safety risk assessment and control of PAs in Chinese herbal medicines.
Topics: Food; Herbal Medicine; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
PubMed: 33350201
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200623.205