79 results match your criteria: "Plant Poisoning Herbs"
Hepatoprotective effects of Radix Bupleuri extract on aflatoxin B1-induced liver injury in ducks.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
September 2024
College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- * The study investigates the hepatoprotective effects of Radix Bupleuri (RB) extracts (RBE) on AFB1-induced liver injury using Pekin ducks, showing that RBE can reduce cytotoxicity and improve liver cell health in lab settings.
- * In live experiments, RBE supplementation improved growth, altered harmful serum biochemical markers, and mitigated oxidative stress and changes in gene/protein levels caused by AFB1, highlighting its potential as a treatment for AFB1 poisoning.
Ventricular tachycardia storm after accidental poisoning of delphinium species: a rare case report.
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
May 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, OSF Healthcare, Peoria, IL.
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses the medicinal use of certain plant species, highlighting that improper use can lead to serious side effects like cardiac arrhythmias.
- An 80-year-old man experienced incessant ventricular tachycardia after consuming one of these herbs, requiring emergency treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm.
- The authors note that this seems to be the first reported case of such a severe reaction to the specific herb, and they aim to contribute to the understanding of similar medical incidents.
Diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification for hepatotoxicity induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloids from herbal medicines or other plants.
Crit Rev Toxicol
February 2024
The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are one type of phytotoxins distributed in various plants, including many medicinal herbs. Many organs might suffer injuries from the intake of PAs, and the liver is the most susceptible one. The diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification of PAs-induced hepatotoxicity have been studied for several decades, which is of great significance for its prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessment of Toxic Pyrrolizidine and Tropane Alkaloids in Herbal Teas and Culinary Herbs Using LC-Q-ToF/MS.
Foods
September 2023
Central Research Test and Analysis Laboratory Application and Research Center (EGE-MATAL), Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey.
Article Synopsis
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are toxic compounds produced by plants for insect defense, posing health risks to humans through contaminated food and tea.
- The study focused on identifying and quantifying PAs, N-oxides, and tropane alkaloids in herbal teas and culinary herbs sold in Turkey, using high-precision liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
- Findings showed that all tested samples contained detectable levels of these substances, emphasizing the need for routine testing to ensure food safety and protect consumer health.
Fermented Stevia Improves Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms Associated with Changes in Mouse Gut Microbiota.
Nutrients
August 2023
Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
We previously found that the continuous feeding of ethanol caused mice dysbiosis, in which the cecal microbiota were significantly altered, as compared with those in the non-feeding control group, especially in some bacterial genera involved in gut inflammation. In the present study, we have found that the fermented extract of stevia () leaves with plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LABs), LY45, improves the trimethylamine (TMA) productivity of cecal content, which can be used as an indicator of dysbiosis. The following animal experiment also shows that the LY45-fermented stevia extract represses the typical increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, which decreased from 1106 to 210 IU/L ( < 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRisk assessment of short-term intake of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food: derivation of an acute reference dose.
Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess
April 2023
Department of Risk Assessment, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany.
Article Synopsis
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are harmful plant chemicals linked to liver damage and potential cancer risks, commonly found in foods like teas, spices, and herbal supplements.
- The primary concern with PA is its long-term carcinogenic effects, while the short-term toxicity assessments vary internationally.
- A proposed acute reference dose (ARfD) of 1 µg/kg body weight per day is suggested based on rat studies and human poisoning cases, providing a framework for evaluating PA risk in short-term exposures.
Differentiation of Lingxiaohua and Yangjinhua by chloroplast genome sequencing and DNA barcoding markers.
Genome
February 2023
School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Article Synopsis
- Lingxiaohua is a medicinal herb known for its ability to promote diuresis, improve blood circulation, and provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits, while being non-toxic.
- It is often mistaken for the poisonous Yangjinhua due to their similar appearances, which can lead to serious poisoning incidents.
- The study revealed significant differences in the chloroplast genomes of both plants, allowing for the development of specific primers that, along with universal primers, can accurately differentiate between Lingxiaohua and Yangjinhua.
Dietary licorice enhances in vivo cadmium detoxification and modulates gut microbial metabolism in mice.
Imeta
March 2022
Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Centre for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shijiazhuang China.
Article Synopsis
- Mass cadmium poisoning poses significant health risks globally, and dietary intervention is proposed as a practical solution.
- A study identified licorice as an effective herbal food that can detoxify cadmium in mice, leading to over 50% reduction of blood cadmium levels within a month.
- Licorice not only decreased cadmium levels in the body but also improved liver health and altered gut microbiota, suggesting its potential as a dietary intervention against cadmium poisoning.
Systematic investigation on the distribution of four hidden toxic Aconitum alkaloids in commonly used Aconitum herbs and their acute toxicity.
J Pharm Biomed Anal
January 2022
Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, PR China; Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, PR China. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Hidden toxic Aconitum alkaloids, including yunaconitine and crassicauline A, have been found in processed and unprocessed Aconitum carmichaelii products, raising safety concerns.
- A new method was developed for detecting ten different Aconitum alkaloids simultaneously, revealing significant variability in toxicity across different samples.
- Acute toxicity testing showed varying lethal doses for these alkaloids, with severe poisoning symptoms observed in mice, underscoring the need for improved quality control in Aconitum herbs.
[Aconitine poisoning due to confusion of aconite leaves with lovage].
Anaesthesist
August 2021
Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Vergiftungs-Informations-Zentrale, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 86b, 79110, Freiburg, Deutschland.
Article Synopsis
- - An older couple consumed herbs contaminated with monkshood leaves, leading to aconitine poisoning, which caused symptoms like paresthesia, hypotension, and bradycardia.
- - Both required intensive care monitoring, with the husband experiencing more severe symptoms and needing catecholamines to treat his dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate.
- - After being treated for 1 and 2 days, both patients were discharged in good health, highlighting the dangers of planting toxic plants like monkshood in home gardens.
Health Hazard Assessment Due to Slimming Medicinal Plant Intake.
Biol Trace Elem Res
March 2022
GEBABS - Group of Spectroscopy and Bioinformatics Applied Biodiversity and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, 79070-900, Brazil.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed the metal and metalloid concentrations in slimming medicinal plants and their teas, using ICP OES to ensure safety for consumption.
- Results show most plants and teas are within safe limits, but certain plants had high levels of arsenic and aluminum, raising concerns about their safety due to unspecified intake limits for some harmful elements.
Article Synopsis
- Herbal medications are becoming popular for treating COVID-19, but while many are generally safe, some can cause serious toxicities.
- The article reviews various herbal preparations that have been proposed for COVID-19 treatment, including those recommended by government agencies and others promoted through media.
- Despite some anecdotal success of these herbal remedies, there's a lack of clinical trial data to support their effectiveness, necessitating awareness of the potential toxic effects among healthcare workers.
[Status of content analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food and herbs].
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi
November 2020
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100193, China.
Article Synopsis
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural compounds found in about 3% of flowering plants, known for their harmful effects on the liver and potential to cause cancer.
- The European Medicines Agency has set a strict limit on the acceptable intake of PAs from herbal products to minimize health risks.
- This paper aims to systematically review existing literature on the content of PAs in herbal medicines and foods, helping to assess safety and control measures for these substances, especially in Chinese herbal medicine.
[A poisonous spring smoothie with wild herbs: accidental intoxication with foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)].
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd
November 2020
St. Antonius ziekenhuis, afd. Klinische Farmacie,Nieuwegein.
Article Synopsis
- - The ingestion of wild plants is becoming more common in society, but this increases the risk of poisoning, particularly from the toxic foxglove plant, which contains harmful cardiac glycosides.
- - A case study involves a 43-year-old woman who experienced severe symptoms after mistakenly drinking a smoothie made with foxglove instead of a safe plant.
- - Clinicians should be vigilant for foxglove poisoning in patients presenting with ongoing gastrointestinal issues and specific heart abnormalities after consuming wild plants.
Tu-San-Qi (Gynura japonica): the culprit behind pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced liver injury in China.
Acta Pharmacol Sin
August 2021
School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Article Synopsis
- Herbs and dietary supplements are a major cause of liver injury in China, with Gynura japonica being a significant contributor by causing hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS).
- Misidentification and misuse of G. japonica with non-toxic alternatives for self-medication has led to over 50% of HSOS cases linked to this herb.
- A comprehensive review of 2,214 HSOS cases related to G. japonica provides crucial information for distinguishing between similar plants and enhances public awareness and clinical management of this liver injury.
Authentication, phytochemical characterization and anti-bacterial activity of twoArtemisiaspecies.
Food Chem
December 2020
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Program of Marine Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University and Academia Sinica, Keelung, Taiwan; Department of Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Artemisia species are aromatic herbs known for their use in food and traditional medicine, but misidentification makes their use challenging.
- The study combined molecular and chemotaxonomic methods to accurately identify Artemisia indica and Artemisia argyi, which were found to contain compounds that inhibit harmful food-borne bacteria.
- A. indica showed effectiveness in killing both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by damaging their membranes, and it also demonstrated protective effects against bacterial infections in mice, suggesting its potential as a food supplement for enhancing human health.
Article Synopsis
- - This study focused on identifying herbs and spices with strong abilities to eliminate bacterial biofilms, using extracts from 104 different types.
- - Clove, eucalyptus, and rosemary showed significant effectiveness against harmful bacteria like E. coli and P. gingivalis, especially when combined.
- - The research suggests that these specific herb and spice combinations could help prevent oral diseases and food spoilage by tackling biofilms.
Toxicity of Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements.
Adv Chronic Kidney Dis
January 2020
Department of Medicine/Division of Nephrology, Mount Sinai Beth Israel/Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY. Electronic address:
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration regulates the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical drugs. This government agency was formed in direct response to a mass poisoning and more than 100 deaths from kidney failure due to a medicinal toxic alcohol exposure. In contrast, the Food and Drug Administration also regulates the use of vitamins, minerals, herbs, or botanicals as dietary supplements, banning specific medical claims but requiring no documentation of efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[Research advancement in mechanisms of processing and compatibility for detoxication of Aconitums].
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi
September 2019
State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700,China.
Article Synopsis
- * Despite its historical significance in medicine, improper use has led to serious poisoning cases, limiting its clinical applications.
- * Safe use of Aconitums typically involves processed forms or combinations with other herbs to reduce toxicity, with the paper discussing traditional and modern detoxification methods, including hydrolysis and saponification, to facilitate safer clinical applications.
A fatal case of self-poisoning through the ingestion of oleander leaves.
J Forensic Leg Med
July 2019
Forensic Medicine Unit, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses the historical use of plants and herbs, highlighting both their therapeutic benefits and potential dangers, particularly focusing on oleander which can be toxic due to its cardiotoxic glycosides.
- An uncommon case of fatal self-poisoning is reported, where the individual intentionally ingested oleander leaves, demonstrating a rare awareness of its harmful effects.
- Autopsy findings confirmed the presence of oleandrin at fatal levels, with evidence of plant material in the digestive system and multiple organ damage noted.
The potential modulatory role of herbal additives against Cd toxicity in human, animal, and poultry: a review.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
February 2019
Department of Poultry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
Article Synopsis
- * Continuous exposure to cadmium leads to accumulation in various tissues, causing serious damage to the liver, kidneys, and reproductive systems, resulting in conditions like necrosis and degeneration of tissues.
- * The review discusses effective treatments for cadmium poisoning, highlighting the protective effects of herbs and herbal extracts as potential strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with cadmium toxicity.
Article Synopsis
- Medicinal plants can absorb harmful heavy metals from contaminated soil, posing a risk of poisoning if consumed.
- A study measured levels of specific heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) in four medicinal plant species and their surrounding soil at an old smelter site, revealing that soil contamination was significantly above safe limits.
- The accumulation of heavy metals varied by plant species, highlighting the need for medicinal herbs to be sourced from clean areas, as well as the importance of monitoring polluted environments and furthering research on soil-plant heavy metal dynamics.
Yellow Oleander Seed, or "Codo de Fraile" (Thevetia spp.): A Review of Its Potential Toxicity as a Purported Weight-Loss Supplement.
J Diet Suppl
May 2018
a School of Pharmacy , University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso , TX , USA.
Article Synopsis
- The Dietary Supplements and Health Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 classifies herbal products as nutritional supplements, increasing their availability in the U.S. and Mexico without needing a prescription.
- Research shows higher herb usage in the border areas of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, but many mistakenly believe "natural" equals safe, leading to potential health risks.
- The text highlights the dangers of consuming the toxic yellow oleander seed, falsely marketed for weight loss, due to insufficient testing and the risk of harmful herb-drug interactions.
Worldwide Occurrence and Investigations of Contamination of Herbal Medicines by Tropane Alkaloids.
Toxins (Basel)
September 2017
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Drug and Poisons Information Bureau, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
Article Synopsis
- Tropane alkaloids are toxic compounds primarily found in plants and can contaminate herbal teas and medicinal herbs, leading to anticholinergic poisoning.
- Most global reports of such poisoning between 1978-2014 are linked to herbal teas and specific prescribed herbs, where contamination typically occurs during harvest or processing.
- The World Health Organization stresses the need for good agricultural practices and the use of DNA barcoding to identify contaminants, urging that all suspected poisoning cases be reported for public safety.
Toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids provide a warning sign to overuse of the ethnomedicine Arnebia benthamii.
J Ethnopharmacol
January 2018
College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Article Synopsis
- Early human societies utilized medicinal plants, leading to increased use of herbal remedies today, though concerns about adverse effects and toxicity are rising, particularly with the plant Arnebia benthamii used by indigenous communities in Neelum Valley, which contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
- This study aims to document traditional uses of Arnebia benthamii in the region and assess the levels of its toxic alkaloids to ensure safety in herbal practices.
- Through interviews and laboratory analysis, findings showed that locals commonly use the plant for treating fever and kidney/liver issues, with a significant preference for using the aerial parts, and the HPLC tests indicated the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for the first time