Toxic Principles in Plants Flashcards
What toxins do many common household plants that are green all year long have?
Insoluble calcium oxalates
Ex: Calla lily, Arum lily (Zantedeschia oethiopica), Chinese evergreen, Umbrella tree, Fishtail palm, Jack-in-the-pulpit..
What is the MOA of insoluble calcium oxalate containing plants?
PATIENT MUST CHEW THE PLANT TO RELEASE TOXIC CRYSTALS
crystals will mainly have a local effect of irritation to the oral mucosa, tongue, and throat
*some species of plants produce proteolytic enzymes which cause the release of histamine/kinins byt the body that will increase mechanical damage
What is the MOA of plants with soluble oxalates?
Conversion to insoluble Ca oxalate in the bloodstream –> hypocalcemia and precipitation of crystals in soft tissue and kidney damage
What are some examples of plants containing soluble Oxalates?
Halogeton (haloenton spp) Greasewood (sarcobatus vermiculatus) ***Pigweed (Amaranthus retrofleus) Beet (beta vulgaris) Lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album) Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponiticum) Sorrel and soursop (oxalis spp) Purslane (Portulacca oleracea)
What is the MOA of toxicity of plants containing ISOCUPRESSIC ACID?
vasoconstriction and decrease uterine blood flow – stimulates the release of fetal cortisol and abortion (in cattle)
What parts of the insoluble Ca.Oxalate containing plants are toxic?
All parts of the plant are toxic – but the patient MUST CHEW the plant to release crystals
What are plants that contain Isocupressic acid?
**Ponderosa pine (pinus ponderosa)- ingestion of the needles
Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)
What plants contain Quinones?
St. Johns wart (hypericum perforatum) & St. Johns family (Clusiaceae
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) & Buckwheat family (Polyogonaceae)
What is the MOA of toxicity of plants containing Quinones?
Primary photosensitization
***The photodynamic substance comes directly from the plant
Is the MOA of St. Johns wart photosensitization primary or secondary?
Primary - photodynamic substance comes directly from the plant
Where do photosensitivity reactions occur in animals that have ingested large amounts of Quinone containing plants? What plant species may this be?
St. Johns wart and Buckwheat
Photosensitivity reactions occur only in the areas of light-unpigmented skin
clinical signs: puritis, erythema, edema, and necrosis of the skin –> secondary bacterial infections
What are some plants that contain Tannic acid or tannins?
Oak tree (Quercus spp) Pride of barbados, poinciana, bird of paradise (Caesalpina spps)
What is the MOA of tannic acid containing plants?
Causes a precipitation of proteins causing cellular damage all over the body (astringent effect)
Tissue damage: GI lesions and Kidney damage (ruminants)
Mainly GI lesions in monogastric animals
*can cause hemorrhage
What part of the tannic acid containing plants are toxic?
All parts - including acorns
What toxin does Lantana (lantana camara) - an always blooming house plant with multi colored flowers contain?
Triterpene acids
Also the Vervain family of plants (Verbenaceae)
What is the MOA of Triterpene acid containing plants?
**hepaticencephalopathy
Liver damage and hepatogenic photosensitization
Lantana A and B cause damage of the bile canaliculi membranes and cholestasis; decreased elimination of phylloerythrin (which causes photosensitization)
Photosensitization from the ingestion of Lantana is primary or secondary?
Lantana = Triterpene acids
Secondary photosens. since this is due to the liver damage causing an accumulation of phylloerythrin (photodynamic substance)
T/F: Alkaloids are weak bases that are insoluble in water
TRUE
they are soluble only in organic solvents
Ex of alkaloid drugs: atropine and nicotine
What category of toxic plants does the group Colchicine fall under?
Alkaloids
What is the MOA of Colchicine alkaloids?
Antimitotic by binding tubulin and inhibiting spindle formation during cell division - rapidly dividing cells are the most sensitive
What organ systems are affected by colchicine toxicosis?
Pretty much everything - the focus is rapidly dividing cells
- GI - vomiting, dhr, hemorrhage etc
- CV: hypotension and arrhythmias
- Resp
- renal and hepatic failure
- Neuro signs/Sz
- Coagulopathies and Bone marrow supression
What are examples of Colchicine containing plants?
Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron (Colchicum autmnale) Lily family (Liliaceae) - Glory liliy, climbing lily (Gloriosa superba)
What type of alkaloid poisoning has a similar MOA as Curare, and will cause sudden death in Cattle due to paralysis of respiratory muscles?
Diterpene alkaloids
What is the MOA of Diterpene alkaloids?
Competitive blockage of the nicotinic receptors at the muscle endplate - similar to curare