Toxic Principles of Plants Flashcards
Clinical signs associated with toxicosis from a plant with insoluble calcium oxalate?
irritation of lips, mouth, throat, vomiting
Which insoluble calcium oxalate plant has proteolytic enzymes that release histamines and kinins that increase mechanical damage, in addition to the normal MoA of penetration via needle shaped calcium oxalate crystals? A) Devils Ivy, Epiprenum spp. B) Flamingo plant, Anthurium spp. C) Philodendron spp. D) Dumcane varieties, Dieffenbachia spp.
D - Dumcane varieties, Dieffenbachia spp.
Plants that have insoluble calcium oxalate
Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema spp. Alocacia (Elephant's ear), Alocacia spp. Flamingo plant, Anthurium spp. jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum Cuckoo-pint, arum maculatum Caladium varieties, Caladium spp. Dumcane varieties, Dieffenbachia spp. Pothos (Devil's Ivy), Epipremnum spp. Cutleaf philodendron (Swiss cheese plant), Monstera deliciosa Philodendron varieties, Philodendron spp. Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum spp. Skunk Cabage, Sympolocarpus foetidus Arrowhead vine (Nephthytis), Syngonium podophyllum Calla/Arum Lily, Zantedeschia oethiopica Umbrella tree, Schefflera spp. Fishtail palm, Caryota mitis
Mechanism of action of soluble oxalate
hypocalcemia, precipitation of Ca oxalates in soft tissues and kidney damage
Clinical signs associated with soluble oxalate? A) GI signs B) neuro deficits C) kidney damage D) All of the above
C - kidney damage (and hypocalcemia)
Plants that have soluble oxalate
Halogeton, Halogeten spp. Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus Pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus Beet, beta vulgaris Lamb's quarters, chenopodium album Rhubarb, Rheum rhaponiticum Sorrel and soursop, Oxalis spp. Purslane, Portulacca oleracea
Which of the following causes abortion in cattle? A) Halogeten, Halogeten spp. B) Ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa C) Lamb's quarters, chenopodium album D) Purslane, Portulacca oleracea
B - Ponderosa pine, pines ponderosa
Toxic principle of Ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa and Monterey cyprus, Cupressus macrocarpus? A) Lycorine B) Diterpine alkaloids C) Soluble oxalate D) Isocupressic acid
D - isocupressic acid
Mechanism of action of isocupressic acid?
vasoconstriction, decreases uterine blood flow, stimulates release of fetal cortisol resulting in abortion (cattle)
Which of the following toxic principles results in primary photosensitization after the ingestion of St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum and Buckwheat, Fagopyrun esculentum? A) Quinone B) Tannic acid C) Colchicine D) Titerpine acid
A - quinone
Mechanism of action of quinone (found in St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum and Buckwheat, Fagopyrun esculentum)
primary photosensitization - only in light or unpigmented skin, sun reacts with compound (quinone in this case) in the blood
Clinical signs of St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum and Buckwheat, Fagopyrun esculentum toxicity?
Photosensitization signs - erythema, pruritus, edema, necrosis of the skin, secondary bacterial infections
Which plants contain tannic acid (tannin)
Oak tree, Quercus spp. and Pride of Barbados, Caesalpinia spp.
MoA of tannic acid (tannin)
tissue damage including GI lesions and kidney damage
A cow ingests a toxic amount of acorns. What toxic principle is associated with acorns and what clinical signs do you expect to see?
Acorns come from oak trees, Quercus spp. so toxic principle is tannic acid (tannin). Expect to see constipation, brown urine, antony, anorexia and depression
Clinical signs in a monogastric that ingests tannic acid (tannin)
Oak tree, Quercus spp. and Pride of Barbados, Caesalpinia spp.
- expect mainly GI signs: colic, depression, icterus, constipation, hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemaglobinuria
A farmer calls you because his cows and horses got into a field of Lantana (yellow sage), Lantana camara. He is worried because he knows this plant contains triterpene acid which is toxic. What signs should he watch for in each species?
Horses - are resistant! Doesn’t have to worry
Cows - depression, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, icterus. photophobia, erythema of skin, swelling, necrosis and sloughing
2 mechanisms of action of toxicity of Lantana (yellow sage), Lanatana camara
Lantadene A and B cause damage to bile canaliculi membranes and cholestasis = liver damage
hepatic photosensitization due to decreased elimination of chlorophyll metabolite phylloerythrin
Toxic principle of Lantana (yellow sage), Latadene camara? A) Colchicine B) Titerpene acid C) Lycorine D) Muscarine
B - titerpene acid
Which two plants are anti mitotic?
Autumn crocus (meadow saffron), Colchicum autumnale and Glory (climbing) lily
Toxic principle of Autumn crocus (meadow saffron), Colchicum autumnale and Glory (climbing) lily? A) Colchicine B) Diterpene alkaloids C) Lycorine D) Anthraquinone
A - colchicine
Clinical signs of ingestion of toxic levels of plans containing Colchicine?
GI signs - stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, GI hemorrhage
CV signs - hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias
Resp signs, renal and hepatic failure, seizures, coagulopathies, myelosuppression
bottom line - it is antimitotic so many organs will be affected, and rapidly dividing cells are most sensitive
A farmer calls you because he switched all of his animals to a new pasture. His cows all dropped dead, and his sheep are staggering, collapsing, show signs of muscle weakness, and are bloated. You immediately visit the farm and notice there are Larkspur (Dephinium), Delphinium spp. and Monkshade (Aconite), Aconitum spp. scattered throughout the pasture. What is the toxic principle associated with these plants and how would you treat the sick animals?
Toxic principle - Diterpene alkaloids
MoA - competitive blockade of nicotinic receptors at muscle endplate
Treatment - physostigmine or neostigmine
Clinical signs associated with Ergot, Claviceps purpurea toxicicosis?
Vasoconstriction and gangrene, uterine contraction and abortion (chronic presentation)