Cyanogenetic Plants

• Submitted to:
Sir Younas Khan
• Submitted by:
Mamona Yaseen
Zahra Khan
Ishrat Fatima
Fatima Rehman
 Contents of presentation
• Definition
• Introduction
• Structure
• Cyanide poisoning
• Toxic principle
• Symptoms of toxicity
• Species of cyanogenetic plants
• Management and treatment
• Prevention
 Definition
• These are poisonous plants which on
digestion release hydrocyanic acid that is a
poison (or prussic acid ) .
OR
These are the plant containing cyanogenic
glycoside or hydrogen cyanide producing
phytotoxins ; Hydrogen cyanide is a powerful
and a rapidly acting poison .
 Introduction
• Cyanogenic glycoside is a toxic found naturally
in various plants e.g. cherries , plums ,
almonds , peaches , apricots , apples , and
cassava . The chemical is usually concentrated
in the seeds , kernels , or wilted leaves . Eating
these parts of the plant that contain the
chemical can cause symptoms of cyanide as
the cyanogenic glycoside is converted into to
cyanide by the digestive process.
Structure
 Cyanide poisoning
• Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living
organism is exposed to a compound that
produces cyanide ion.
• Types of poisoning :
• Two types:
• Acute poisoning
• Chronic poisoning
 Acute poisoning
• Acute poisoning describes the adverse effects
of the substance that result either from a single
exposure or from multiple exposures in a short
period of time (usually less than 24 hours) .
• Acute toxicity is distinguished from chronic
toxicity , which describes the adverse health
effects from repeated exposure , often at lower
level , to a substance over a longer time period
(months or years).
 Symptoms
• Sweatening
• Loss of breathing
• Change in physiological
Function
 Chronic poisoning
• Cyanide is entering to the body daily in very
small concentration through pastiside ,
insectiside , tobbacco , smoke , some foods
like almond , apricot , kernal , apple seeds ,
cassava etc.
 Symptoms
• Exposure to lower levels
of cyanide over a long
period results in
increased blood cyanide
level , which can result in
weakness and a variety
of symptoms , including
permanent paralysis ,
nervous lesions and
miscarriages.
 Toxic principle
• Cyanogenic glycoside or cyanogen (amygdain ,
prunasin , dhurrin , linamarin) HCN is formed
when the glycosides are hydrolyzed by
enzymes in plants or by rumen
microorganism:
 B - Glucosidase

Cyanogenic Glycoside Sugar+aglycone

Aglycone HCN + aldehyde or ketone

Hydroxynitrile lyase
• The glycoside occur in vacuoles in plant tissue
while the enzymes are found in the cytosol.
• Damage to the plant from wilting , trampling ,
Mastication ,frost , drought , bruising etc . Result in
the enzymes and glycosides coming together causing
HCN to be formed B-glycosidases are also produce by
rumen microorganism . The optimum Ph for enzyme
activity is near neutrality , so release of HCN is more
rapid in the rumen than in the highly acid stpmach of
monogastrics for this reason , ruminants are more
sensitive to cyanogenes than non-ruminants.
 Symptoms of toxicity:
 Gastrointestinal tract disturbances
 Irritation of mouth
 Vomiting,Diarrhea
 Ataxia
 Muscular Weakness
 Stupor
 Cyanosis
 Liver damage
 Symptoms due to mild poisoning
 Headache
 Chest tightness
 Throat tightness
 Muscle weakness
 Bluish lips
 Fever
 Dilated pupils
 Lethargy
 Spasms
 Irregular breathing
 Species of cyanogenic plants
Hoecus lunatus -Velvet grass
Hydrangea species - Hydrangea
Linum species -Flax
Lotus corniculatus -Birdsfoot trefoil
Phaseolus lunatus -Lima bean
Pyrus malus -Apple
Sambusus canadensis - Elderberry
Suckleya suckleyana -Poison suckleya
Trifolium repens -White clover
Triglochin maritima -Arrow grass
Vicia sativa -Vetch seed
Zea mays -Corn
Manihot esculanta
 Manihot esculanta
• Family
Euphorbiaceae
• Habitat
Sindh
• Toxic principle
The whole plant,
including juice and rhizome
contains glycoside
manitoxin which produces
HCN on hydrolysis.
 Symptoms of toxicity
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Renal failure
• Cardiopulmonary Arrest
• Nausea
• Headache
 Prunus Serotina
• Family:
Rosaceae
• Habitat:
Balochistan
• Toxic constituents:
It contains prunasin ,
which upon hydrolysis
release HCN .
Wood, seeds and leaves are
toxic.
 Symptoms of toxicity
• Gastrointestinal tract
disturbances
• Irritation of mouth
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Ataxia
• Muscular weakness
• Stupor
• Cyanosis
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Compulsions
• Coma leading to death
 Pyrus malus
• Family
Rosaceae
• Habitat
Quetta , Chitral , Sawat
• Toxic constituents
All members of this group
contains toxin HCN in their
seeds and their leaves but not
in fruit.
Toxic constituent in seeds is
amygdalin.
 Symptoms of toxicity
• Itching and
inflammation of the
mouth and throat
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Urticaria
• Life threating
anaphylaxis
 Sambucus canadensis
• Family:
Adoxaceae
• Habitat:
In hilly areas
• Toxic constituent
Its roots and leaves
are toxic because they
contain HCN.
 Symptoms of toxicity
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Stupor
 Vicia Sativa
• Family
Fabaceae
• Habitat
Open fields
• Toxic Constituent
Canavanine, a toxic
analogue of arginine .
 Symptoms
• Heart Burn
• Increase Ammonia level
• Increase Citruline
• Mental retardation
 Diagnosis
• Case History:
suspicion of exposure
• Clinical Presentation:
• metabolic acidosis ,multisystem involvement
• Odor of bitter almonds
• Laboratory Diagnosis:
• Blood cyanide levels can be drawn
• High anion group metabolic acidosis
• Arterial and venous po2 may be elevated
 Management and treatment
Treatment is of two types
General:
Remove from source
Specific:
1. Sodium nitrate at 10 to 20 mg /kg
2. sodium thiosulfhate as needed . The treatment is directed at
breaking the cyanide – cytochrome bond with the nitrite forming
methemoglobin . Methemoglobin has a greater affinity for cyanide
than does cytochrome oxidase , so it strips cyanide from the
enzyme .
3. Amyl nitrate
4. Activated Charcoal

5.Supplemental Oxygen

6.Hydroxocobalamine
 Common Treatment
• Decontamination
• Symptomatic and supportive treatment
• Or consult to specialist
 Prevention
• Test forage prior to feeding. Cyanide is
volatile , so opening bales of hay 24 hours
before feeding allows the cyanide to
dissipate .