An indispensable toxin known for 2500 years: victims of mad honey

Akça, Ayşe Semra Demir; Kahveci, Fatih Ozan

doi:10.3906/sag-1109-41

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…In this area, toxic Rhododendron species ( R. ponticum and R. luteum ) containing grayananes are widespread (e.g. Gossinger et al., 1983; Koca and Koca, 2007; Gunduz et al., 2008; Demir and Kahveci, 2012; Jansen et al., 2012). However, acute poisoning cases have also been associated with ingestion of certain Ericaceae honey from other countries, e.g.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks for human health related to the presence of grayanotoxins in certain honey

Schrenk¹,

Bignami²,

Bodin³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for human health of the presence of grayanotoxins (GTXs) in ‘certain honey’ from Ericaceae plants. The risk assessment included all structurally related grayananes occurring with GTXs in ‘certain’ honey. Oral exposure is associated with acute intoxication in humans. Acute symptoms affect the muscles, nervous and cardiovascular systems. These may lead to complete atrioventricular block, convulsions, mental confusion, agitation, syncope and respiratory depression. For acute effects, the CONTAM Panel derived a reference point (RP) of 15.3 μg/kg body weight for the sum of GTX I and III based on a BMDL 10 for reduced heart rate in rats. A similar relative potency was considered for GTX I. Without chronic toxicity studies, an RP for long‐term effects could not be derived. There is evidence for genotoxicity in mice exposed to GTX III or honey containing GTX I and III, showing increased levels of chromosomal damage. The mechanism of genotoxicity is unknown. Without representative occurrence data for the sum of GTX I and III and consumption data from Ericaceae honey, acute dietary exposure was estimated based on selected concentrations for GTX I and III reflecting concentrations measured in ‘certain’ honeys. Applying a margin of exposure (MOE) approach, the estimated MOEs raised health concerns for acute toxicity. The Panel calculated the highest concentrations for GTX I and III below which no acute effects would be expected following ‘certain honey’ consumption. The Panel is 75% or more certain that the calculated highest concentration of 0.05 mg for the sum of GTX I and III per kg honey is protective for all age groups regarding acute intoxications. This value does not consider other grayananes in ‘certain honey’ and does not cover the identified genotoxicity.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks for human health related to the presence of grayanotoxins in certain honey

Schrenk¹,

Bignami²,

Bodin³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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The dose-dependent effect of grayanotoxin on the cardiovascular system

Turkmen¹,

Karagoz²,

Gunduz³

et al. 2013

Turk J Med Sci

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Based on leaf physiognomy of the Late Pliocene Tuantian megafl ora from the Mangbang Formation of Tengchong County in western Yunnan, a quantitative reconstruction of palaeoclimate was performed with Leaf Margin Analysis (LMA) methodology and the Climate-Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP). Th e latter produced the following parameters: mean annual temperature (MAT) from 17.2 to 17.7°C; warmest month mean temperature (WMMT) from 25 to 25.5°C; coldest month mean temperature (CMMT) from 9.5 to 10.8 °C; length of growing season (GRS) from 9.5 to 9.7 months; growing season precipitation (GSP) from 1834.3 to 1901.2 mm; mean monthly growing season precipitation (MMGSP) from 222.4 to 230.5 mm; precipitation during the three consecutive wettest months (3-WET) from 892.1 to 917.8 mm; precipitation during the three consecutive driest months (3-DRY) from 474.5 to 512.8 mm; relative humidity (RH) from 76.7 to 77.8%; specifi c humidity (SH) from 10.7 to 10.8 g/kg; and enthalpy (ENTHAL) from 31.8 to 32 kj/kg. However, the MAT obtained from the Chinese LMA regression at 18.7°C, is slightly higher than that from CLAMP. Th e integrated analysis of these data and three adjacent pollen fl oras in western Yunnan suggests that the Gaoligong Mountains (a southern portion of the Hengduan Mountains) were only raised to modest altitudes in the Late Pliocene.

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An indispensable toxin known for 2500 years: victims of mad honey

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Risks for human health related to the presence of grayanotoxins in certain honey

Risks for human health related to the presence of grayanotoxins in certain honey

The dose-dependent effect of grayanotoxin on the cardiovascular system

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