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Toxic Principles in Plants - Toxicology

Terms in this set (218)

What are the 9 groups of plant toxins?
acids, alkaloids, glycosides, gossypol, minerals, proteins and amino acids, resins and resinoids, unclassified toxins and plants causing mechanical injury.
What are the 6 acids that are responsible for plant toxicity?
insoluble calcium oxalates, soluble oxalates, isocupressic acid, quinones, tannic acid, triterpene acids
Which plants carry insoluble calcium oxalates?
arum family (dumbcane, caladium, arrowhead vine/nephthytis, chinese evergreen, flamingo plant, peace lily, calla lily, pothos/dvil's ivy, philodendron, swiss cheese plant), aralia family, palm family (fishtail palm)
What are members of the arum family (10)?
dumbcane, caladium, arrowhead vine/nephthytis, chinese evergreen, flamingo plant, peace lily, calla lily, pothos/dvil's ivy, philodendron, swiss cheese pant
Which toxicant does the arum family of plants carry?
insoluble calcium oxalates
Which toxicant does the palm family carry?
insoluble calcium oxalates
What is the mechanism of action of plants that possess insoluble calcium oxalates?
all parts of the plant are toxic, the cells have needle shaped calcium oxalate crystals that penetrate the oral mucosa, tongue, and throat causing irritation. some species produce proteolytic enzymes which cause the release of histamine and kinins by the body, increasing the mechanical damage.
Which plants possess soluble oxalates?
halogeton, greasewood, pigweed, beet, lamb's quarters, rhubarb, sorrel and soursop, purslane
Which toxicant does dumbcane possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does caladium possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does arrowhead vine/nephthytis possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does chinese evergreen possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the flamingo plant possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the peace lily possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the calla lily possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the pothos/dvil's ivy possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the saddle leaf philodendron possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the swiss cheese philodendron possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), arum family
Which toxicant does the fishtail palm possess?
insoluble calcium oxalates (acid), palm family
Which toxicant does the halogeton possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid)
Which toxicant does the greasewood possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid)
Which toxicant does the pigweed possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid), nitrates, unknown toxin causing renal failure in cattle.
Which toxicant does the beet possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid), nitrates
Which toxicant does the lamb's quarters possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid), nitrates
Which toxicant does the rhubarb possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid)
Which toxicant does the sorrel and soursop possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid)
Which toxicant does the purslane possess?
soluble calcium oxalates (acid)
What is the mechanism of action of plants that possess soluble calcium oxalates?
hypocalcemia and precipitation of insoluble calcium oxalates in soft tissues and kidney damage.
Which 2 plants possess isocupressic acid?
ponderosa pine and monterey cypress.
What is the mechanism of action of plants that possess isocupressic acid?
May be vasoconstriction and decrease in uterine bloodflow that stimulates release of fetal cortisol and abortion. See abortion in cattle.
Which plant toxin is the cow abortion toxicant?
isocupressic acid
Which toxicant does the ponderosa pine possess?
isocupressic acid
Which toxicant does the monterey cypress possess?
isocupressic acid
Which 2 plants possess the quinones?
St. John's Wort and Buckwheat
Which toxicant does st. john's wort possess?
quinones (acid)
Which toxicant does buckwheat possess?
quinones (acid)
What is the mechanism of action of plants that possess quinones?
primary photosensitization, the photodynamic substance comes directly from the plant. the animal must be exposed to sunlight and genetically predisposed to photosensitization. See erythema and pruritis, edema/necrosis of skin. Usually leads to secondary bacterial infections.
Which plant toxin(s) causes photosensitization?
quinones (acid), triterpene acids, steroidal saponins, tetradymol, unknown toxin in alsike and red clover, in forage like moldy alfalfa or wheat
Which 2 plants possess tannic acids?
oak tree and pride of Barbados.
What is the mechanism of action of plants that possess tannic acids?
tissue damage including GI lesions and kidney damage. Mainly GI and kidney damage in ruminants, but GI only in monogastrics.
Which toxicant does the oak tree possess?
tannic acid
Which toxicant does the pride of Barbados possess?
tannic acid
Which plant possesses triterpene acids?
lantana/yellow sage
Which toxicant does lantana/yellow sage possess?
triterpene acids
What is the mechanism of action of plants possessing triterpene acids?
liver damage and hepatogenic photosensitization
Which species are susceptible to triterpene acid toxicosis and which species are resistant?
ruminants are susceptible but horses are resistant.
What are the 13 plant alkaloids responsible for toxicity?
colchicine, diterpene alkaloids, ergot alkaloids, indolizidine alkaloids, lycorine, muscarine, piperidine alkaloids, pyridine alkaloids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, solanine/solanidine, taxine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, xanthine alkaloids.
Which plants possess colchicine toxin (alkaloid)?
autumn crocus, meadow saffron, lily family (only picture for colchicine toxin was the glory lily).
What is the mechanism of action of plants possessing colchicine toxin?
antimitotic by binding to tubulin and inhibiting spindle formation during cell division. Rapidly dividing cells are more sensitive to colchicine. Clinical signs involve GI, CVS, Resp, Renal, Hepatic, Neuro, and Blood cells.
Which toxicant does the glory lily possess?
colchicine (alkaloid)
Which plants possess diterpene alkaloid?
buttercup family (larkspur/delphinium, monkshood/aconite).
What is the mechanism of action of diterpene alkaloids?
competitive blockade of nicotinic receptors at the muscle endplate similar to curare.
Which plant toxin is similar to curare?
diterpene alkaloids, they block the nicotinic receptor at the muscle endplate.
Which plant toxin causes sudden death in cattle?
diterpene alkaloids (curare like)
How is diterpene alkaloid toxicity treated?
physostigmine or neostigmine (antidote)
Which plants possess ergot alkaloids?
ergot
What is the mechanism of action of ergot alkaloids?
vasoconstriction, gangrene, uterine contraction.
Which plants possess indolizidine alkaloids (swainsonine)?
legume family (locoweed, milkvetches). note that many legumes are not toxic.
What is the mechanism of action of indolizidine alkaloids?
swainsonine. inhibits lysosomal enzymes essential for formation of glycoproteins. alters cell function in the brain and many other organs including endocrine and repro. locoweed and milkvetches also contain nitropropranol glycoside and selenium. nitropropranol causes peripheral neuronal degeneration and respiratory signs while selenium causes abnormal hoof and hair. The resulting disease is called locoism and you see neuro signs more commonly in horses than cattle/sheep.
locoweeds and milkvetches (astragalus and oxytropis) contain which 3 toxins?
indolizidine alkaloids (swainsonine), nitropropranol glycoside, and selenium.
Which 2 plants contain indolizidine alkaloids (swainsonine), nitropropranol glycoside, and selenium?
locoweed (astragalus spp.) and milkvetches (oxytropis spp.)
"Locoism" is caused by which toxin? Which species is most affected?
indolozidine alkaloids
Which plants possess lycorine (alkaloid)?
amaryllis family (daffodil/narcissus, kaffir lily, spider lily, barbados/fire lily, zephyr/rain lily, river lily)
The amaryllis family possesses which toxin?
lycorine toxin
What is the mechanism of action of lycorine toxin?
emetic and purgitive, GI signs. Large amounts will cause muscle tremors and seizures.
Which part of the amaryllis family plants is most toxic?
the bulb. these plants possess the lycorine toxin.
Which plants possess the muscarine toxin?
poisonous mushrooms
Which toxicant does the larkspur/delphinium possess?
diterpene alkaloid (buttercup family)
Which toxicant does the monkshood/aconite possess?
diterpene alkaloid (buttercup family)
Which toxicant does the locoweed (Astragalus) possess?
indolizidine alkaloid/swainsonine (legume family)
Which toxicant does the milkvetches (Oxytropis) possess?
indolizidine alkaloid/swainsonine (legume family) and nitropropanol glycoside.
Which toxicant does daffodil/narcissus possess?
lycorine alkaloid (amaryllis family)
Which toxicant does spider lily possess?
lycorine alkaloid (amaryllis family)
Which toxicant does Barbados/fire lily possess?
lycorine alkaloid (amaryllis family)
Which toxicant does zephyr/rain lily possess?
lycorine alkaloid (amaryllis family)
Which toxicant does the river lily possess?
lycorine alkaloid (amaryllis family)
Which toxicant does poisonous mushrooms (Amanita) possess?
muscarine (alkaloid)
What is the treatment for ingestion of poisonous mushrooms?
atropine is an antidote, symptomatic treatment and decontamination.
Which plants possess the piperidine alkaloids?
poison hemlock, tobacco
Which toxicant does poison hemlock possess?
piperidine alkaloids
Which toxicant(s) does tobacco possess?
piperidine alkaloids, pyridine alkaloids
What is the mechanism of action of piperidine alkaloids?
piperidine alkaloids have a nicotinic effect starting with ganglionic and neuromuscular stimulation followed by blockade. NMB prevents fetal movement and birth defects.
Which plants possess pyridine alkaloids (nicotine and lobeline)?
nightshade family (tobacco, lobelia)
What is the mechanism of action of pyridine alkaloids?
nicotine and lobeline act on nicotinic receptors at autonomic ganglia, NMJ and some synapses in the CNS. Low doses cause depolarization while large doses cause blockade. Rapid clinical signs, death due to respiratory failure.
Which toxicant does lobelia possess?
pyridine alkaloid. It's in the nightshade family along with tobacco.
Which plants possess the pyrrolizidine alkaloids?
rattlebox, senecio.
What is the mechanism of action of pyrrolizidine alkaloids?
hepatotoxicity
Which toxicant does rattlebox possess?
pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Which toxicant does senecio possess?
pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Which plants possess solanine/solanidine alkaloids?
nightshade family (black nightshade, eggplant, chinese lantern)
Which toxicant does black nightshade possess?
solanine/solanidine alkaloids. In the nightshade family.
Which toxicant does chalice vine possess?
solanine/solanidine alkaloids. In the nightshade family.
Which toxicant does eggplant possess?
solanine/solanidine alkaloids. In the nightshade family.
Which toxicant does the chinese lantern possess?
solanine/solanidine alkaloids. In the nightshade family.
Which plants possess taxine alkaloids?
yew
What is the mechanism of action of taxine alkaloids?
cardiotoxic and GI effects
Which toxicant does the yew possess?
taxine alkaloids
Which plants possess the tropane alkaloids?
jimsonweed/thornapple, devil's trumpet, angel trumpet, henbane
What are the 3 tropane alkaloids?
atropine, hyoscine, and hyoscyamine.
What are the 3 xanthine alkaloids?
caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine
Which toxicant does jimsonweed/thornapple possess?
tropane alkaloid, mechanical irritant.
Which toxicant does the devil's trumpet possess?
tropane alkaloid
Which toxicant does the angel's trumpet possess?
tropane alkaloid
Which toxicant does henbane possess?
tropane alkaloid
Which plants possess the xanthine alkaloids?
cocoa, coffee
What is the mechanism of action of xanthine alkaloids?
blocking adenosine receptors and inhibiting phophodiesterase, clinical signs of CNS stimulation and convulsive seizures.
Which toxicant does coffee possess?
xanthine alkaloid
Which toxicant does cocoa possess?
xanthine alkaloid
What are the 13 glycoside toxins found in plants?
anthraquinone glycosides, calcinogenic glycosides, carboxyatractyloside, cardiac glycosides, coumarin glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, cycasin, glucosinolate, nitropropanol glycosides, phytoestrogens, protoanemonin, ptaquiloside, steroidal saponins
Which plants possess athraquinones?
cascara sagrada, buckthorn, coffeeweed/senna, aloe
What is the mechanism of action of athraquinones?
purgative, coffeeweed also has unknown principle that causes skeletal muscle degeneration and urine may be coffee colored due to myoglobinuria/kidney damage. Horses usually die from liver failure and not muscle degeneration.
What toxicant does coffee/senna possess?
athraquinones, unknown toxin causes myopathy and cardiopathy is found in seeds.
What toxicant does aloe possess?
athraquinones
Which plants possess calcinogenic glycosides (vitamin D)?
day-blooming jessamine
What is the mechanism of action of calcinogenic glycosides?
hypercalcemia, lameness.
Which toxicant does day-blooming-jessamine possess?
calcinogenic glycosides
Which plants possess carboxyatractyloside?
cocklebur
What is the mechanism of action of carboxyatractyloside?
hepatotoxic, excess salivation, may be renal damage and hypoglycemia
Which toxicant does cocklebur possess?
carboxyatractyloside
Which plants contain cardiac glycosides?
foxglove, oleander, yellow oleander/lucky nut/be-still tree, periwinkle, squill, lily-of-the-vally, milkweed.
What is the mechanism of action of cardiac glycosides?
cardiotoxic by inhibiting Na/K ATPase
Which toxicant does foxglove possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does oleander possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does yellow oleander/lucky nut possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does periwinkle possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does lily-of-the-valley possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does butterfly weed possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which toxicant does common milkweed possess?
cardiac glycosides
Which plant contains coumarin glycosides?
sweet clover
What is the mechanism of action of coumarin glycosides?
form dicoumarol in spoiled plants, hemorrhage due to antagonism of vitamin K by inhibiting vitamin L epoxide reductase resulting in deficiency of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X.
Which toxicant does sweet clover possess?
coumarin glycosides, nitrates
Which plants contain cyanogenic glycosides?
wild cherries, johnsongrass/sudan grass/sorghum, elderberry
What is the mechanism of action of cyanogenic glycosides?
release HCN on hydrolysis in damaged plants. HCN is metabolized in the liver to thiocyanates. Acute poisoning occurs due to inhibition of cytochrome oxidase and inhibition of cellular respiration. Chronic poisoning leads to neuronal degeneration, antithyroid effect.
Which plants contain cycasin?
cycad family (sago palm, japanese cycad), zimiaceae (cardboard palm, coontie)
Which toxicant does sago palm possess?
cycasin, in the cycad family
Which toxicant does the cardboard plant possess?
cycasin, in the zimiaceae family
Which toxicant does the coontie possess?
cycasin, in the zimiaceae family
What is the mechanism of action of cycasin?
cycad palms have 3 toxins - cycasin is a glycoside causing GI irritation and liver damage. It is also teratogenic and carcinogenic. Beta methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is neurotoxic. A third unknown toxin may cause axonal degeneration in the CNS.
Which plants contain glucosinolate?
rape seed, kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, turnip, cauliflower, soybean, flax.
What is the mechanism of action of glucosinolates?
antithyroid
Which plants contain nitropropanol glycoside?
milkvetch, violets, lotus, indigo.
What is the mechanism of action of nitropropanol glycoside?
inhibits enzymes of krebs cycle and cellular oxidative phosphorylation. respiratory and neurologic signs in cattle/sheep while horses/rodents show neuro signs.
Which plants contain phytoestrogens?
white clover, alfalfa.
Which toxicant does alfalfa possess?
phytoestrogens, nitrates, triterpenoid saponins, unknown toxin causing photosensitization
Which plants contain protoanemonin?
buttercup family (ranunculus, anemone, clematis helleborus)
What is the mechanism of action of protoanemonin?
a volatile oil released by hydrolysis of glycoside. causes severe irritation of the GI mucosa and dermatitis.
Which toxicant does clematis possess?
protoanemonin
Which plants contain ptaquiloside?
bracken fern, brake fern
What is the mechanism of action of ptaquiloside?
death of precursor cells in the bone marrow causing aplastic anemia in cattle/sheep. neoplasia in urinary tract causing enzootic bovine hematuria, tumors of upper GI and retinal degeneration in sheep.
Which toxicant does bracken fern possess?
ptaquiloside, thiaminase
Which plants contain steroidal saponins?
agave, grass family
What is the mechanism of action of steroidal saponins?
liver damage and inability to eliminate phylloerythrin, a metabolite of chlorophyll which acts as a photodynamic substance. Hepatogenic photosensitization.
Which toxicant does cottonseed possess?
gossypol
Which plants contain gossypol?
cottonseed
What is the mechanism of action of plants containing gossypol?
cardiotoxic with secondary liver damage, reduces fertility, binds protein, amino acids and iron. causes malnutrition, inhibits enzymes and interferes with hemoglobin synthesis.
Which form of gossypol is toxic?
Only free gossypol is toxic, when bound to protein/amino acid or iron it is not. Heat changes the toxic free gossypol to the less toxic protein bound gossypol. Iron salts decrease toxicity by increasing gossypol activation and excretion.
Which species are most sensitive to gossypol toxicity?
monogastrics are more sensitive than ruminants
What are the 4 mineral toxicities associated with plants?
molybdenum, copper, selenium, nitrate
What are the signs of molybdenum toxicosis?
signs of copper deficiency including watery bubbly diarrhea, wasting, anemia, depigmentation, demyelination, osteoporosis.
Which plants accumulate copper?
clovers
What is the mechanism of action of plant copper toxicosis?
liver damage, hemolysis, methemoglobinemia
Which plants accumulate selenium?
aster, woody aster, princess plume, milk vetch, goldenwood, paintbrush, saltbush
What are the effects of selenium toxicosis?
acute toxicosis with GI and respiratory signs, chronic toxicosis with hoof and hair abnormalities
Which plants accumulate nitrate?
pigweed, oats, johnsongrass/sudan grass/mil, corn/maize, beet, lamb's quarters, sweet clover, alfalfa, wheat, sunflower
What are the effects of nitrate toxicity?
acute GI irritation, methemoglobinemia, abortion, resp insufficiency. chronic decreased progesterone and abortion, reduced performance.
What are the 9 proteins/amino acid toxicants found in plants?
dimethyl disulfide, diterpene esters, grayanotoxins, lectins (phytotoxins/toxalbumins), meliatoxins, propyl disulfide, tetradymol, thiaminase, triterpenoid saponins
Which toxicant does johnsongrass/sudan grass possess?
nitrates
Which toxicant does corn/maize possess?
nitrates
Which toxicant does wheat possess?
nitrates
Which plants possess dimethyl disulfide?
mustards (dimethyl disulfide is an amino acid toxicant)
What is the mechanism of action of dimethyl sulfide toxicity?
plant contains 5-methyl cysteine sulfoxide which is reduced by GI in monogastrics and rumen to dimethyl disulfide. Large amounts cause oxidation of RBCs to Heinz bodies which normally prevented by glutathione. Result is anemia, hemoglobinemia/uria, icterus, cyanosis.
Which plants possess diterpene esters?
toxic spurges (candelabra cactus, christmas candle, chenille plant/cat tail, poinsettia, croton, crown of thorns, physic nut, wild physic nut, coral tree, peregrina, pencil tree, cassava, sandbox tree, machineel.
What is the mechanism of action of diterpene esters?
diterpenoid euphobol esters cause direct irritation of skin/MM, activate protein kinase C resulting in cell damage and enzyme dysfunction.
Which species are most affected by diterpene esters?
large animals, especially horses. signs are usually only mild in small animals.
Which toxicant does candelabra cactus possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does christmas candle possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does chenille plant/cat tail possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does poinsettia possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does croton possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does crown of thorns possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does physic nut possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does wild physic nut possess?
diterpene esters
Which toxicant does peregrina possess?
diterpine esters
Which plants possess grayanotoxins?
heath family (rhododendron/azalea)
Which toxicant does rhododendron possess?
grayanotoxins
What is the mechanism of action of grayanotoxin?
binds sodium channels in excitable nerve, increases permeability of membranes and causes depolarization. Irritates GI mucosa, death usually due to aspiration pneumonia.
Which plants contain the lectins (phytotoxins/toxalbumins)?
castor bean, precatory bean, coral plant, sandbox tree, black locust, beans.
Which toxicant does precatory/rosary bean possess?
lectins (phytotoxins/toxalbumins)
Which toxicant does the castor bean possess?
lectins (phytotoxins/toxalbumins)
What is the mechanism of action of lectins (phytotoxins/toxalbumins)?
ricin and abrin are glycoproteins that inhibit cell protein synthesis resulting in cell death. GI signs involve hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
What are meliatoxins?
They are in the protein/amino acid category. They contain 3 toxins: tetranortriterpenes (cyctoxic limonoid concentrated in the fruit), alkaloid, resin.
Which plants contain meliatoxins?
chinaberry
Which toxicant does chinaberry possess?
meliatoxin,
What are the effects of chinaberry?
enterotoxic and neurotoxic (similar to nicotine poisoning), death due to resp failure
Which plants contain propyl disulfide?
amaryllis family (onions, garlic, shallots, chives, leek)
What are the effects of propyl disulfide toxicity?
free radical damage, hemolysis, Heinz bodies, anorexia, ataxia, icterus, abortion
Which plants contain tetradymol?
horsebrush
What are the effects of tetradymol?
liver damage, hepatogenic photosensitization
Which animals are most susceptible to tetradymol?
sheep
Which plants possess thiaminase?
horsetail and bracken fern/brake fern
What are the affects of thiaminase?
destroys thiamine in diet and shows signs of thiamine (B1) deficiency in monogastric animals.
Which plants contain triterpenoid saponins?
alfalfa, holly, ginseng, pokeweed/inkberry
Which toxicant does holly possess?
triterpenoid saponins
Which toxicant does pokeweed/inkberry possess?
triterpenoid saponins
What is the mechanism of action of triterpenoid saponins?
GI irritation
Which plants contain resins/resinoids?
milkweed, marijuana, chinaberry
What is the effect of resin/resinoids?
irritation of nervous or muscle tissue.
What are the effects of alsike and red clover?
hepatogenic photosensitization by unknown toxin
What are the effects of avocado toxicity?
cardiotoxicity in horse/goat/cattle/birds, unknown toxin.
What are the effects of black walnut toxicity?
cause laminitis, only from the shavings made from walnut tree wood. unknown toxin.
What are the effects of grapes/raisin toxicity?
kidney failure in DOGS only. unknown toxin.
What are the effects of easter/day lily toxicity?
renal failure in CATS only. unknown toxin.
What are the effects of the unknown toxin in pigweed?
renal failure in CATTLE only.
What are the effects of the unknown toxin in red maple?
hemolytic anemia in horses.
What are the effects of the unknown toxin in senna?
myopathy and cardiomyopathy, seeds are most toxic.
What are the effects of the unknown toxin in yellow starthistle and russian knapweed?
chewing disease in horses.
What are the effects of macadamia nut toxicity?
cause locomotor and GI signs in the dog only.
What are the plants causing mechanical injury to animals (3)
cactus, jimsonweed, cocklebur
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