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
What is the antidote to Diterpene alkaloids?
Physostigmine (reversible cholinesterase inhibitor) OR neostigmine
What plants are Diterpene alkaloids?
*Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Larkspur, Delphinium (Delphinium spp)
Monkshood, Anconite (Anconitum spp) – also has cardiotoxic effect (arrhythmias)
What is the MOA of Ergot alkaloids?
Fungus that contaminates many plants: Ergot (Claviceps purpurea)
Causes vasoconstriction and gangrene - chronic loss of hair and deteriorating hooves Uterine contraction (usually chronic) - abortions
Acute vasoconstriction can cause CNS signs
What three toxins does Locoweed, milkvetches (Astragalus spp and Oxytropis sps) contain?
- Selenium accumulation
- Indonilizidine alkaloids (Swainsonine)
- Niropropanol
What plants contain Indolizidine alkaloids?
Locoweeds, milkvetches (Astragalus spps and Oxytripis spps) — but not all are toxic and many can be used as forages
Swainsona canescens contains Indolizidine alkaloids aka swainsonine - plant from Australia
What is the MOA of Indolizidine alkaloids?
Inhibit lysosomal enzymes essential for glycoprotein formation
Locoweeds - contain a neurotoxin: Alteration of cellular function in the brain and other organ systems: endocrine, repro, heart, immune system
Contain nitropropanol glycoside: causes peripheral neuronal degeneration and respiratory signs
selenium accumulation: hoof and hair abnormalities
What is are the major organ system(s) affected by Lycorine toxicosis?
GI - emetic and purgative
What plants contain lycorine?
Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Narcissus (Narcissus spp)
Kaffir lily, Caffir Lily (Clivia spps)
Spider lily (Hymenocallis caribaea)
Barbados lily, fire lily (Hippeastrum spp)
Zephyr lily, rain lily (Zephyranthes spp)
River lily (Crinum bulbispermum)
What is the MOA of toxicosis due to ingestion of spider lily and barbados lily?
emetic and purgative properties
will note: salivation, nausea, vomiting, dhr. hypotension
***large amounts may cause muscle tremors and SZ
What part of Lycorine containing plants is the most toxic?
The bulb - underground root
What plants will contain Muscarine and what is the MOA/Clinical signs associated with ingestion?
Poisonous mushrooms - Amanita muscaria
MOA: stimulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors –> CNS stimulation
Piperidine alkaloids can be found in what plants?
Poison hemlock, spotted hemlock, California/Nebraska fern (Conium maculatum) - toxin: coniine
Lupines (lupinus spp) - toxin: ammodendrine
Tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum)
tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
cyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) - tobacco toxin: anabasine
What is the MOA of piperidine alkaloid toxicosis?
Nicotinic effects - glanglionic and neuromuscular stimulation followed by ganglionic and neuromuscular blockade
Ataxia, incoordination
T/F: Piperdine alkaloids can cause fetal birth defects when ingested by a gestating female
TRUE
these will cross the placental barrier and prevent fetal movement - resulting in birth defects - skeletal malformation and cleft palate
What plants have Pyridine alkaloids (aka nicotine and lobeline)?
Nightshade family (Solanaceae) Tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) Lobelia (Lobelia spp)
What is the MOA of pyridine alkaloids?
Act on nicotinic receptors at autonomic ganglia, neuromuscular junctions, and some CNS synapses
Low doses cause depolarization
Large doses cause blockage
What is the onset of signs due to pyridine alkaloids like nightshade plants and lobelia? what is the time frame of onset?
Rapid onset of clinical signs
Early: excitation, salivation, lacrimation, vomiting, diarrhea, and tachypnea
Muscle twitching, weakneass, dyspnea
*death is due to respiratory failure
What alkaloid has similar clinical signs/MOA as those seen in pyridine alkaloid toxicosis?
Piperidine alkaloids
What is the MOA of pyrrolizidine alkaloids?
Hepatotoxicity
What plants are pyrrolizidine alkaloids?
Rattlebox or crotolaria (Crotolaria spp)
Senecio, groundsel, and ragwort (Senecio spp)
Heliotrope (Heiliotrpium) - this is an ornamental plant
Potato, eggplant, and tomato all can contain what type of alkaloid?
Solanine and solanidine
What plants have solanine and solanidine alkaloids?
nightshade family (Solanaceae) Black nightshade (Solanaceae niger) American nightshade (Solanaceae americanum) Eggplant (solanum melongena) Tomato (lycopersicon lycopersicon) Turkey berry (Solanum torvum) Chalice vine (Solandra guttota) Chinese lantern (Physalis spp)
What is the MOA of Solanine and solanidine alkaloids?
*Irritating - causes severe GI signs
affects the CNS, Resp., and CV as well
Taxine alkaloids have similar MOA and CS as what kind of glycosides?
Cardiac glycosides
MOA - Cardiotoxic + GI signs
What plant contains taxine alkaloids?
Japanese yew (Taxus sp)
What plants are tropine alkaloids?
Jimsonweed, thronapple or angels trumpet (Datura stramonium)
Devils trumpet (Datura metel)
Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia candida)
Henbane (hyoscyamus spp)
What is the MOA of tropine alkaloids?
Anticholinergic effect (atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine)
What is the MOA of xanthine alkaloids?
Blocking adenosine (A) receptors -- releases Nor EPI = excitatory rxn Inhibiting phosphodiesterase - increase intracellular Ca and release catecholamines
What are examples of xanthine alkaloids?
(Caffeine, theophylline, theobromine)
Plants:
Cocoa - Theobroma cocao
Coffee - Coffea arabica
What is the most commong xanthine alkaloid toxicosis we see in vet med?
Chocolate toxicosis in dogs
What clinical signs are associated with xanthine alkaloid toxicosis?
Salivation, vomiting, dhr, colic CNS stimulation and sz Muscle tremors Tachycardia and hypotension Urination
What is the MOA of Anthraquinone glycosides?
Purgatives
Coffee weed also have an unknown toxin that causes skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and the urine may be coffee colored due to myoglobinuria –> kidney damage
What do horses with coffee weed poisoning most often die from?
Anthraquinone glycoside: Coffee weed (senna occidentalis)
Horses usually die from liver failure and NOT muscle degeneration like other spps
What plants are anthraquinone glycosides?
Cascara sagrada from the tree Rhamnus purshiana DC
Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp)
Coffee weed, senna (Senna occidentalis)