TOXICOLOGY PHAR 5322

Course Coordinator : Dr. Julie Szilagyi

 

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Click on the appropriate toxic plant or animal to see examples for indentification.

 

PLANTS MUSHROOMS ANIMALS

 

 

 

 

EXAMPLES OF TOXIC PLANTS

Jimson Weed

All parts of the plant are toxic. Produces classic atropine poisoning. Sometimes used to make "Datura tea"

Dieffenbachia

Also known as "dumbcane", this plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and a trypsin-like inflammatory protein.

Stinging Nettle

The plants have trichomes which can easily penetrate the skin.

 

Mistletoe

Mistletoe was used to kill Balder, the Norse god of summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSHROOMS

Aminita phalloides

A source of phalloidina and amatoxin. Amatoxin has a strong affinity for hepatocytes.

 

Aminita muscaria

Really pretty, but don't eat it. It contains ibotenic acid and muscimol.

 

Clitocybe

These mushrooms contain muscarine. Ingestion results in characteristic acetylcholine-like stimulation.

 

Psilocybes

Known for their hallucinogenic actions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANIMAL TOXINS

Black Widow Spider

Non-agressive but will bite defensively.

 

Brown Recluse Spider

The venom of this spider is cytotoxic and hemolytic. It's bite can result in necrotic arachnidism.

 

Rattlesnake

Crotalidae notably produce local tissue necrosis and coagulopathies.

 

Coral Snake

The Elapidae have predominantly neurotoxic effects.

 

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