Non-Medicinal Toxic Plants Quiz

Non-Medicinal Toxic Plants

• Plant toxins are secondary metabolites with both beneficial and harmful effects on humans and animals. Effects range from mild symptoms (itching, nausea) to severe consequences (psychosis, paralysis).
• Toxins enter the body through inhalation, swallowing, and skin contact.
• Toxicity varies based on plant part, climate, growing conditions (soil, light, warmth, humidity), season, and plant age.
• Toxins are categorized by the organ system they affect (e.g., cardiotoxins, neurotoxins).

1. Hallucinogens

• Many cultures have historically used hallucinogenic plants, often in religious contexts.
• Most known hallucinogens contain alkaloids related to the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and serotonin, with the exception of cannabis.

A. Fungi

• Some poisonous fungi cause hallucinations when ingested. Key genera include Amanita, Psilocybe, and Conocybe.
• Amanita species contain tryptamines (e.g., bufotenine), cyclic peptides (phallotoxins, amatoxins), and isoxazole alkaloids (e.g., ibotenic acid).
  • Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), recognizable by its red/orange cap with white flecks, contains isoxazole alkaloids (ibotenic acid, muscimol). It produces initial excitation, followed by muscle spasms, slow pulse, breathing problems, delirium, and coma, but is rarely fatal.
  • Hallucinogenic Mexican mushrooms (species of Psilocybe, Conocybe, Stropharia) contain tryptamine derivatives psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybe cubensis contains the highest concentration of psilocin.
  • Lycoperda species (puffballs) produce auditory hallucinations and a state of near-sleep.
• Some Amanita species' toxins have a delayed onset and are hard to treat.

B. Lysergic Acid Derivatives

• Lysergic acid, particularly its diethylamide derivative, is a potent hallucinogen. It's found in ergot alkaloids and can be cultivated in liquid fungal cultures.

Morning Glory Seeds

• Rivea corymbosa and similar plants contain hallucinogens; including Ipomoea tricolor and Argyreia species.

Peyote

• Lophophora williamsii (peyote cactus) contains mescaline and other hallucinogenic alkaloids. This cactus is used by some Mexican indigenous groups. Different groups of alkaloids are present.

Indian Hemp

• Cannabis sativa. Formerly considered a single species, now recognized as multiple species ( sativa, indica, ruderalis).
• Significant varieties influence cannabinoid mixes..
• Used for fiber, seeds (producing drying oil), and different forms of narcotic products (ganja, bhang/hashish, charas). Cannabis effects vary among individuals and plant strains. The main psychoactive component is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Nutmeg, Mace, Virola spp.

• Myristicaceae plants like nutmeg (containing myristicin and elemicin) and Virola spp. produce hallucinogenic substances (various tryptamines used in snuffs).

Leguminosae

• Anadenanthera peregrina beans, and Mimosa hostilis root decoctions are used to create snuffs; both contain tryptamines.

2. Natural Allergens

• Plant and animal materials can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
• Allergens enter the body by skin contact, through air (pollen, smoke), and via animal hair/coats.
• Allergic reactions result from antigen-antibody reactions and histamine release.

1. Pollens and Spores

• Pollens cause seasonal hay fever and potentially chronic asthma.
• Spores (e.g., Cladosporium herbarum, Sporobolomyces roseus, lycopodium spores) trigger rhinitis and asthma.

A. Rhus spp. (Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumach)

• Contains allergens causing severe skin dermatitis.

B. Sesquiterpene lactones

• Compositae, Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae (plants), and Frullania (liverwort) are common sources.

C. Other Allergens

• Oils from Ruta graveolens (common rue) and Dieffenbachia seguine (dumb cane). Calcium oxalate crystals in the latter can cause irritation. Similar reactions can come from other materials (hair, feathers, dust mites, detergents, dyes, cosmetics).

3. Teratogens in Higher Plants

• Plant substances ingested by pregnant individuals may cause fetal abnormalities.
• Many teratogens affect the embryo more severely during the initial stages of pregnancy.
• This group includes alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, macrolides, nitriles, terpenoids, toxic amino acids, and some unidentified compounds from a variety of plants.

Other Toxic Plants

• Local plants pose poisoning risks, especially to children. Attractive berries and seeds can be mistaken for edible foods. Misidentification of plants, particularly in the Umbelliferae family, can be fatal.
• Poisoning of livestock is common, particularly in grazing areas with uncontrolled weeds.
• Some plants produce hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, or compounds containing safrole and other alkenylbenzene derivatives, which can increase liver cancer risk.
• Fungi (mycotoxins) also present significant toxicity. Aspergillus spp. mycotoxins (aflatoxins) involve a fused coumarin and bifuran unit, and often include specific ring structures (B series pentenone, G series lactone).