Worldwide poisoning potential of Brugmansia and Datura

Abstract

Purpose The toxicological significance of human exposures to angel's trumpet plants (Brugmansia and Datura species) in their native American and non-native regions (Asia, Africa, and Europe) was highlighted, and the poisoning potential of various plant parts was discussed. Methods Nearly 2500 cases of human plant exposures, reported to the Hungarian Toxicological Information Service between 2005 and 2017, were analyzed and compared to data of other toxicology centers in America, Asia and Europe, focusing on exposures to tropane alkaloid-containing plants. Results In America, Brugmansia and Datura were not among the 15 most common plant ingestions, but were responsible for 20% of the fatal outcomes in a 26-year period. In Asia, the anticholinergic toxidrome, related to Brugmansia and Datura, was among the most frequent plant-related intoxications, which included accidental ingestion, improper use of herbal medicines and plant abuse. In Europe, Brugmansia and Datura were among the top four plant taxa causing intoxications with major outcomes, being the leading plants ingested for their hallucinogenic properties, and accounted for 60% of abuse cases in Hungary in a 13-year period. Use of Brugmansia and Datura for criminal purposes has been reported from America, Asia and Europe. The concentrations of tropane alkaloids vary with the species, seasons and plant parts. Ingestion of the seeds and flowers has the highest toxicological significance, but exposure to the leaves and floral nectar can also cause intoxication. Conclusions Angel's trumpets have high toxicological significance both in their native and non-native regions, mainly due to their hallucinogenic property and accidental ingestion.

Alkaloids of the Genus Datura: Review of a Rich Resource for Natural Product Discovery

“…Both of these drugs are listed on the World Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines [5], and synthetic or semisynth rivatives of these drugs are also used. As Datura contains high levels of these potent alkaloids (and many others w oactivity is ill-defined), all parts of the plants are considered toxic, and can easily both humans and livestock animals if accidentally or deliberately ingested [6,7] poisoning in humans causes dilated pupils, increased heart rate, blood pressure, a temperature, dry mucous membranes, confusion, depression, and incoherence [ vere symptoms can cause heart arrhythmias, coma [8], respiratory depression, an In one 26-year period in the United States, Datura species were responsible for 20% plant poisonings in humans, despite their consumption being uncommon [7]. Da soning also causes characteristic delirium and hallucinations.…”

“…Aggression, mem recognition loss, picking at imaginary objects, delusions of being attacked by public indecency, and other erosions of social inhibition have been reported [10-14 names for Datura in different languages, such as devil's trumpet, malpitte (Afrikaans seeds", and torna-loca (Spanish, "maddening plant") reflect this particular prope Datura has sometimes been used recreationally to induce these hallucinations. Due toxicity and ability to render subjects delirious and unaware, Datura species h As Datura contains high levels of these potent alkaloids (and many others whose bioactivity is ill-defined), all parts of the plants are considered toxic, and can easily poison both humans and livestock animals if accidentally or deliberately ingested [6,7]. Datura poisoning in humans causes dilated pupils, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, dry mucous membranes, confusion, depression, and incoherence [8,9].…”

“…As Datura contains high levels of these potent alkaloids (and many others whose bioactivity is ill-defined), all parts of the plants are considered toxic, and can easily poison both humans and livestock animals if accidentally or deliberately ingested [ 6 , 7 ]. Datura poisoning in humans causes dilated pupils, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, dry mucous membranes, confusion, depression, and incoherence [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Severe symptoms can cause heart arrhythmias, coma [ 8 ], respiratory depression, and death. In one 26-year period in the United States, Datura species were responsible for 20% of fatal plant poisonings in humans, despite their consumption being uncommon [ 7 ]. Datura poisoning also causes characteristic delirium and hallucinations.…”

Effects of Senecio selloi (Spreng.) DC flower extract on mitochondrial membrane peroxidation and enzyme activities

“…Shamans from South America, for example, know that plants of the Solanaceae family have hallucinogen properties, such as Brugmansia spp. [1,2] , which neglected use may cause death [3] . In Europe, the use of such type of plants is known as well, and many species with these properties can be mentioned.…”