Toxic Hallucinogenic and Allergic Plants Prof. Suleiman Olimat 1

1. Introduction Humans learned about plant toxicity early on, by probably the hard way. When toxicity was high, it was exploited for hunting or for war; when it was moderate, humans learned to watch out for it. Humans learned about plant toxicity early on, by probably the hard way. When toxicity was high, it was exploited for hunting or for war; when it was moderate, humans learned to watch out for it.

In fact, vernacular names document this empirical knowledge (poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, henbane, dumbcane, poison oak). In fact, vernacular names document this empirical knowledge (poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, henbane, dumbcane, poison oak). Early on as well, humans recorded their observations. Early on as well, humans recorded their observations.

In common language, toxic plant is equated with poison hemlock, digitalis, belladonna, in other words “ lethal ” plants. Fortunately, the problems caused by the plants in our environment are generally less dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets. In common language, toxic plant is equated with poison hemlock, digitalis, belladonna, in other words “ lethal ” plants. Fortunately, the problems caused by the plants in our environment are generally less dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets.

Respiratory allergy, Respiratory allergy, allergic dermatitis, phytophoto ­ dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, phytophoto ­ dermatitis, and thorn injury are plant problems as probable as ingestion. and thorn injury are plant problems as probable as ingestion.

Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is ingested. However a suitable definition is that poisonous plants are those which contain specific components that when small quantities are used (via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms. Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is ingested. However a suitable definition is that poisonous plants are those which contain specific components that when small quantities are used (via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms.

In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded 103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at fault. In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded 103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at fault.

Health professionals, physicians, pharmacists are the first to be concerned with incidents and accidents caused by plants. Health professionals, physicians, pharmacists are the first to be concerned with incidents and accidents caused by plants. Pharmacist are considered the only health professional members who are familiar in botany, so is the main defense line. Pharmacist are considered the only health professional members who are familiar in botany, so is the main defense line.

Humans learned about plant toxicity early on, by probably the hard way. Humans learned about plant toxicity early on, by probably the hard way. When toxicity was high, it was exploited for hunting or for war; when it was moderate, humans learned to watch out for it. When toxicity was high, it was exploited for hunting or for war; when it was moderate, humans learned to watch out for it. In fact, vernacular names document this empirical knowledge (poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, henbane, dumb- cane, poison oak). Early on as well, humans recorded their observations. In fact, vernacular names document this empirical knowledge (poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, henbane, dumb- cane, poison oak). Early on as well, humans recorded their observations.

In common language, toxic plant is equated with poison hemlock, digitalis, belladonna, in other words “ lethal ” plants. Fortunately, the problems caused by the plants in our environment are generally less dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets. In common language, toxic plant is equated with poison hemlock, digitalis, belladonna, in other words “ lethal ” plants. Fortunately, the problems caused by the plants in our environment are generally less dramatic. They mostly have multiple facets. Respiratory allergy, allergic dermatitis, phytophoto ­ dermatitis, and thorn injury are plant problems as probable as ingestion. Respiratory allergy, allergic dermatitis, phytophoto ­ dermatitis, and thorn injury are plant problems as probable as ingestion.

Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is ingested. However a suitable definition is that poisonous plants are those which contain specific components that when small quantities are used (via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms. Defining exactly what constitutes a poisonous plant is not easy; almost any plant can cause nausea and vomiting or intestinal cramping when enough is ingested. However a suitable definition is that poisonous plants are those which contain specific components that when small quantities are used (via ingestion or just via contact) cause specific biochemical alterations or physiological symptoms.

In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded 103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at fault. In 1994, the United States poison control centers (AAPCC) recorded 103,616 calls. The magnitude of these figures is an invitation to determine the circumstances of the calls, to evaluate the true consequences of the accidents, and to inventory the plant species at fault.

It is well known that many plants produce chemical compounds which cause different reaction for other living organisms, ether in direct contact or by ingestion. It is well known that many plants produce chemical compounds which cause different reaction for other living organisms, ether in direct contact or by ingestion. Primary compounds can be defined as those required for a plant's basic metabolism. Secondary compounds, loosely, are all others. Primary compounds can be defined as those required for a plant's basic metabolism. Secondary compounds, loosely, are all others. Many of the secondary metabolites would be toxic to the organism producing them if allowed to accumulate or become concentrated in living tissues. Many of the secondary metabolites would be toxic to the organism producing them if allowed to accumulate or become concentrated in living tissues.

Plants evolved self-protective ways of handling potentially toxic secondary metabolites by: Plants evolved self-protective ways of handling potentially toxic secondary metabolites by: removing them physically into metabolically inactive locations (e.g. bark, vacuoles, roots, etc); removing them physically into metabolically inactive locations (e.g. bark, vacuoles, roots, etc); converting them into non toxic compounds via specific chemical reactions (hydroxylation); converting them into non toxic compounds via specific chemical reactions (hydroxylation); Plants found that secondary metabolites gave them an opportunity for effective defense against attack by herbivorous insects. Plants found that secondary metabolites gave them an opportunity for effective defense against attack by herbivorous insects.

For years, emphasis was shown mainly on these plant compounds possessing many therapeutically activities. For years, emphasis was shown mainly on these plant compounds possessing many therapeutically activities. Poisonous plants are to be found among all types of native plants: algae, fungi, ferns, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Poisonous plants are to be found among all types of native plants: algae, fungi, ferns, herbs, shrubs, and trees.

Some of our most cultivated ornamentals are extremely poisonous and these plants very common in houses and public buildings. Fortunately, relatively large amounts of most plants are necessary to produce serious or fatal poisoning in man. Some of our most cultivated ornamentals are extremely poisonous and these plants very common in houses and public buildings. Fortunately, relatively large amounts of most plants are necessary to produce serious or fatal poisoning in man.

The majority of the victims in poisoning are children; small children have a great curiosity and will often chew on anything within reach. Much smaller amounts of the toxin are needed to cause very severe or fatal results. The majority of the victims in poisoning are children; small children have a great curiosity and will often chew on anything within reach. Much smaller amounts of the toxin are needed to cause very severe or fatal results.

The toxic constituents of these plants are determined by different factors such as: stage of the development, climate and other environmental factors, habitat, plant parts, and different varieties of the same species. The toxic constituents of these plants are determined by different factors such as: stage of the development, climate and other environmental factors, habitat, plant parts, and different varieties of the same species. The term poisonous plant designates many kinds of plants as well as a wide range of poisonous or disturbing effects. These effects may generally be classified as: The term poisonous plant designates many kinds of plants as well as a wide range of poisonous or disturbing effects. These effects may generally be classified as:

2. INTERNAL POISONING CAUSED BY EATING PLANT PARTS Gastrointestinal IrritantsGastrointestinal Irritants Oxalates ( calcium oxalate, oxalic acid) Oxalates ( calcium oxalate, oxalic acid) Protoanemonins ( protoanemonin, ranunculin) Protoanemonins ( protoanemonin, ranunculin) Toxalbumins ( ricin) Toxalbumins ( ricin) Saponins ( hederin, cucurbitacin E) Saponins ( hederin, cucurbitacin E)

Action on the heart muscle ( Cardiovascular Stimulants/ Depressants) Cardenolides ( oleander, squill) Cardenolides ( oleander, squill) Diterpene Alkaloids ( aconite) Diterpene Alkaloids ( aconite) Glycosteroidal Alkaloids ( solanine, solasodine) Glycosteroidal Alkaloids ( solanine, solasodine) Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ( Iycorine) Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ( Iycorine)

C. Colchicinoids C. Colchicinoids D. Carcinogenic irritant Eupborbiaceae D. Carcinogenic irritant Eupborbiaceae F. Action on the autonomic nervous system F. Action on the autonomic nervous system - Anticholinergics ( hyoscyamine, scopolamine) - Nicotinomimetic Alkaloids (coniine, nicotine) G. Cyanogenic Plants ( amygdaline, prunasin) G. Cyanogenic Plants ( amygdaline, prunasin) H- Toxins and Teratogens H- Toxins and Teratogens I – Miscellaneous I – Miscellaneous

ALLERGIES OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO WIND-BLOWN SPORES OR POLLEN. Inhalant Allergens Inhalant Allergens Ingestant Allergens Ingestant Allergens Injectant allergens Injectant allergens Contactant allergens Contactant allergens

3. DERMATITIS OR SKIN IRRITATION CAUSED BY DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONTACT WITH A PLANT. 4. MECHANICAL INJURY FROM SHARP PRICKLES, OR THORNS FOUND IN MANY PLANTS.

5. Hallucinogens Fungi Fungi Lysergic Acid Derivatives (LSD) Lysergic Acid Derivatives (LSD) Indian Hemp Indian Hemp Ibogain Ibogain DMT ( Dimethyltryptamine) DMT ( Dimethyltryptamine) Peyote Peyote Coca and Cocaine Coca and Cocaine Alkaloids of Opium Alkaloids of Opium

Our objectives are to increase the awareness of these potential dangers, to aid in the identification of the more common poisonous plants native, ornamental or cultivated in Jordan, and to assist you in the recognition of symptoms and treatment of such cases. Our objectives are to increase the awareness of these potential dangers, to aid in the identification of the more common poisonous plants native, ornamental or cultivated in Jordan, and to assist you in the recognition of symptoms and treatment of such cases. This field is where the practicing pharmacist, in his ever-expanding clinical role of adviser, can make an outstanding contribution to public health and community welfare. This field is where the practicing pharmacist, in his ever-expanding clinical role of adviser, can make an outstanding contribution to public health and community welfare.