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ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES

TABLE 13.15. Common Poisonous Plants

PLANT TOXINMECHANISM OFTOXICITY MAJORTOXICEFFECTS

Castor bean/jequirity bean Ricin/abrin: Cytotoxic cellular effects Fever

Delayed severe GI symptoms

Water hemlock Antagonism of GABA Severe status epilepticus

Azalea Andromedotoxins: Increased permeability Bradycardia

of Na+channels Progressive paralysis

Cardiac glycosides Inhibition of Na+-K+ATPase pump Symptoms of digoxin toxicity

Foxglove

Common oleander

Yellow oleander

Lily of the valley

Cyanogenic fruit seeds Amygdalin: Metabolized to Cyanide poisoning

hydrocyanic acid

Nicotine-Containing

Tobacco plant Nicotine: Stimulation of nicotinic Early stimulation

receptors Later weakness, paralysis, brachycardia

Poison hemlock Coniine alkaloids: Stimulation of As above

nicotinic receptors

Anticholinergic

Jimsonweed Atropine-like alkaloids: Competitive Anticholinergic toxidrome

inhibition of cholinergic receptors

Deadly nightshade Atropine-like substance: Inhibition Anticholinergic toxidrome

of cholinergic receptors

Hallucinogenic

Marijuana Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Low level: Euphoria

High level: Lethargy

Mexican peyote cactus Mescaline: Similar to LSD Euphoria, altered perception

High doses: sympathomimetic toxicity

Morning glory D-Lysergic acid amide: Similar to LSD Hallucinations, dilated pupils