Toxicology introduction

Question 1

Father of toxicology

Answer 1

Paracelsus: “all things are poison and nothing is without poison, only the dose permits something not to be poison”.

ROA matters however.

Question 2

Accidental poisonings examples and mechanisms

Answer 2

Atropa belladone contains atropine - redness, dryness, blindness, hot flush, psychotic. pupil dilation.

Hyoscine (scopolamine) used in travel sickness pills - found in datura. Cardiotoxic.

Henbane contains atropine and scopolamine - both muscarinic antagonists

Cholinesterase inhibiter solanine is found in woody nightshade, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Physostigmine found in malabar beans - historically used as torture agent in nigeria

Question 3

Plant poisons with medical uses

Answer 3

Foxglove contains digitalis to increase heart contraction

Western pacific yew contains taxol a chemo.

Rosy periwinkle contains vincristine and vinblastine.

Opium poppy.

Question 4

Food toxicology

Answer 4

tetrodotoxin in puffer fish VGSC-inhibitor.

ergot alkaloids in infected rye - vasoconstrictive - relates to LSA/LSH

cyanide found in cassava, almonds, and apples.

kidney beans and lentils - lectins

patulin in mould apples

Question 5

hemlock

Answer 5

contains coniine a nAChR inhibitor in the CNS and NMJ

Question 6

examples of warfare agents

Answer 6

chlorine, phosgene, mustards, cyanide (zyklon-B), lewisite, nerve agents (sarin, VX, novichok, malathion).

Agent orange was contaminated with 2,3,7,8 TCDD

Question 7

environmental toxins and incidences

Answer 7

2,3,7,8 TCDD in sevesso italy in 1976 following explosion,

Aluminium toxicology in mines

Bhopal 1984 methyl-isocyanate.

diazinon and malathion poisoning (organa-phosphorous) and paraquat in agricultural workers.

Question 8

2 drugs that are commonly used to treat poisonings

Answer 8

NAC, e.g., paracetamol

Dimercaprol - antilewisite agents used for heavy metal poisonings.