enanthotoxin and Plant-Poisoning

Water hemlock, which encompasses a range of species divided across two genera (Cicuta and Oenanthe), are regarded as being among the most poisonous plants both in North America and in the United Kingdom. Despite their toxicity, the literature consists almost entirely of case reports.. The aim of this review is to summarize this literature by covering all aspects of taxonomy and botanical characterization, principal toxins, basic pharmacology including mechanisms of toxicity, and the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of poisoning.. The principal toxins, cicutoxin and oenanthotoxin, belong to a group of C17 conjugated polyacetylenes. They act as (noncompetitive) gamma-aminobutyric acid antagonists in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in unabated neuronal depolarization that can lead to seizures. Ingestion of even a small amount of plant matter may result in severe intoxication.. After ingestion, the patient is most likely to experience CNS stimulatory effects including seizures that, in the absence of aggressive supportive care, can result in death. Other features include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, mydriasis, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, coma, respiratory impairment, and cardiac dysrhythmias.. Treatment consists mainly of prompt airway management and seizure control, plus decontamination if achieved early and after stabilization. In the event of renal failure, the use of hemodialysis has been employed successfully.. The ingestion of water hemlock can lead to serious complications that may be fatal. Prognosis is good, however, if prompt supportive care is provided.

Topics: Animals; Cicuta; Diynes; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; GABA Antagonists; Humans; North America; Oenanthe; Plant Poisoning; United Kingdom

In recent years, recorded cases related to forensic botany and, in particular, of plant poisoning have become rare. We report on the medicolegal characteristics of an undetermined sudden death (USD) of a woman in which scene there were remnants of a vegetal peeling. After the autopsy, macroscopic findings reported multiorgan failure and requested the investigation of the cause of death. Postmortem blood was firstly investigated on cyanide toxicity presumptively coming from a yucca-like root; however, found cyanide levels were under normality. Because of the lack of morphological features of the encountered plant remains, a genetic nrDNA ITS2 sequence investigation was followed. The resulting DNA sequence could identify the evidence as the water dropwort (Oenanthe spp.) which contains oenanthotoxin, a potent toxin that may be fatal, similar to the more commonly found in hemlock Conium or cowbane Cicuta species. A liquid chromatography-tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF MS) was later applied to analyse the vegetal extract and stomach content and successfully confirmed the toxin existence. Medicolegal and analytical findings at the forensic laboratory were described, where both biological and chemical techniques could successfully conjugate, as an interdisciplinary research, and explain premortem symptoms and postmortem findings. Present data can be helpful in future investigation on poisoning cases by conjugated polyacetylenes . The present work tries to emphasize the often undervalued plant evidence in legal medicine diagnosis in the context of an unexplained death.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Chromatography, Liquid; Death, Sudden; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Forensic Genetics; Forensic Toxicology; Humans; Oenanthe; Plant Poisoning; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An investigation of Oenanthe fistulosa from Sardinia afforded oenanthotoxin (1a) and dihydrooenanthotoxin (1b) from the roots and the diacetylenic epoxydiol 2 from the seeds. The absolute configuration of 1a and 1b was established as R by the modified Mosher's method, and the structure of 2 by chemical correlation with (+)-(3R,8S)-falcarindiol. Oenanthotoxin (1a) and dihydrooenanthotoxin (1b) were found to potently block GABAergic responses, providing a molecular rationale for the symptoms of poisoning from water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) and related plants. These observations bear relevance for a series of historical and ethnopharmacological observations on the identification of the Sardonic herb and the molecular details of the facial muscular contraction caused by its ingestion (risus sardonicus).

Topics: Apiaceae; Diynes; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; GABA Antagonists; GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; Italy; Molecular Structure; Neurotoxins; Oenanthe; Plant Poisoning; Plant Roots; Polyynes; Seeds; Stereoisomerism; Structure-Activity Relationship

Topics: Adult; Alkynes; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Humans; Male; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic

Severe plant poisoning is relatively uncommon in adults. We report two adults who ingested hemlock water dropwort roots, having mistaken them for wild parsnip. One developed prolonged convulsions, severe metabolic acidosis and respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation. The toxin--oenanthotoxin--was detected in the gastric aspirate and measured by high performance liquid chromatography.

Topics: Adult; Alkynes; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Humans; Male; Plant Poisoning; Toxins, Biological

The case histories are presented of three separate incidents of poisoning by ingestion of Hemlock Water Dropwort tubers (Oenanthe crocata). Two of these cases involved a fatality. An analytical profile is provided for oenanthotoxin, the major toxic principal of the tubers. Chromatographic, spectroscopic and mass spectral data for related compounds are also given.

Topics: Adult; Alkynes; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Plant Extracts; Plant Poisoning; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Topics: Enediynes; Fatty Alcohols; Plant Poisoning; Plants; Poisons