CLASSIFICATION BASIS

OF POISNOUS PLANTS
B) GLYCOSIDES

Families having toxic glycosides are

Scrophulariaceae (Digitalis), Apocynaceae
(Nerium) contain glycoside with a sulphur group,
some others are Rosaceae, Euphorbiaceae, etc.
There are about 13 classes of glycosides and all
produce toxicity.
I) CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDES
Their toxicity is due to the
liberation of hydrogen
cyanide (hydrocyanic acid).
They generally occur in
plants in relatively small
amounts; moreover, the
liberation of HCN from
them is a slow process.
For example:
Prunasin(found in the
seeds, and to a less extent
in the foliage) and amygdalin found
in Rosaceae family.
II) CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES
These compounds are also
known as Cardiotonic or
Cardioactive Glycosides,
because of their
pharmacological effects on
heart.
For example:
 Oleander (Nerium oleander): nerioside and
oleandroside - a single leaf can kill an adult
II) CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES
 Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): convallarin
(irregular heartbeat) - similar to digitalis
 (Digitalis purpurea) -digitoxin
(quickens
heartbeat).
III) ANTHRAQUINONE GLYCOSIDES:

They have different

quantities of anthracene
and anthraquinone
derivatives along with
oxalates of Ca2+ and K+ .

They are found in Rhubarb,

Aloe, and as natural
laxative in Ginseng.
III) ANTHRAQUINONE GLYCOSIDES:

While madder (Rubia

tinctorum) and cochineal,
which is obtained from
insects, are the significant
dyes possessing
Anthraquinone.
They develop atonic state
of the heart and GI
Tract (Hardness). These
have a laxative effect.
IV) SAPONIN GLYCOSIDES
Saponins are glycosides of terpenoid aglycones
(steroid and triterpenoid) occurring widely in
plant kingdom. On shaking, their aqueous
solutions form a stable froth.
Two types of glycosides are found in saponins:
Flavone Glycosides: Like liquertin, liquerticine,
isoliquerctine, etc. they are powerful medicinal
agents.
IV) SAPONIN GLYCOSIDES
Terpene Glycosides: Like glyccerrhizin, and its
aglycone, glycerrhitic acid present in Glycerrhiza
glabra (Liquorice).
The toxicologically interesting property of many
saponinns is their ability to bring about Hemolysis.
However, this happen only on parenteral administration.
Some saponins irritate the skin and mucous membrane.
For example: tomatine in tomato, solanine in potato.
C) PHYTOLECTINS /
TOXALLAMINES / TOXALBUMINS

Lectins are CHO binding proteins of non-immune origin

and identified in plant extract that causes agglutination of
RBC.
Lectins are large protein molecules; they are toxic and
also mimic allergies. They are wide spread and may be up
to 20 per cent of the protein content of plants, especially
of seeds and pulses. They have the curious property of
imitating antigen-antibody reactions without actually
sensitizing the immune system.
C) PHYTOLECTINS /
TOXALLAMINES / TOXALBUMINS

For example:
 Ricin present in Ricinus communis (castor bean).
 Phasin in seeds of Phasinus vulgaris (common red
kidney bean).
 Abrin in Abrus precatorius (Rosary pea) and Lathrin
in lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea).
D) TANNINS
They contain phenolic nuclei in their structure. These
substances have the ability to precipitate proteins. They
make the skin durable by fixing the proteins in the skin,
hence can be carcinogenic.
For example:
 Potato leaves, stems, roots.

 Tea (Cammalia sinensis), etc.

E) PLANT ACIDS

While some of the acids accumulated by plants,

especially in their fruits, are non-toxic and are
therefore valued as flavour components (malic,
tartaric, citric, and ascorbic acid), other plant
acids may deploy very considerable amount of
toxicity.
I) Oxalic Acid and Oxalates:
The most important of these compounds in plants
is Oxalic Acid and its soluble sodium, potassium,
and ammonium salts. Both soluble and insoluble
oxalates are present in plants, usually in the form
of Ca2+ oxalate crystals. These substances may
be found in trichomes or in raphides (needle-like
Structures). They are very important in the
identification of the crude drug and can be
differentiated on the basis of their shapes.
I) Oxalic Acid and Oxalates
 They can provoke mechanical irritation, in the
superficial layers of the skin. When exposed to
sunlight, it forms a complex with other
compounds or agents and may cause
phototoxicity.
For example:
Ca2+ present in Fennel, and Poisonn Ivy.
I) Oxalic Acid and Oxalates
 Ingested oxalate will be
absorbed. Oxalate in blood
binds calcium to form the
insoluble calcium oxalate,
and may paralyze vocal
cords, swelling of mouth
and throat, severe
hypocalcaemia, lingual
toxicity; as with
Dieffenbachia (Dumb
cane).
I) Oxalic Acid and Oxalates
 Oxalic acid is
responsible for the
poisoning in plants
like Rheum rhaponticum
(Rhubarb), Rumex venosus
(Dock), and also in families
like Araceae, Graminae,
etc.
II) Toxic Amino Acids
As a rule their toxicity is
not great, so that is only on
chronic ingestion or in
certain deficiency conditions
that metabolic disturbances
become apparent. Some of
the amino acids are responsible
for poisoning in grazing
animals.
For example:
 Mimosine present in
Mimosa pudica (Sensitive
Plant).
II) Toxic Amino Acids
 Indospicine found in
Indigofera species.
 The amino acids which
can cause Lathyrism in
humans are found in
Fabaceae family,
Lathyrogenic amino acids
are found in the seeds of
Lathyrus silvestris and L.
lalifolius.
F) VOLATILE OIL
At certain concentrations some are irritant
(forming blisters) and/or emetic. Some are
nephrotoxic. Many forms are used, however, as
kitchen herbs (thyme, mint) or because of their
aroma (lavender).
F) VOLATILE OIL
 Because of their
lipophilic nature, they
are well taken up by the
skin and mucous
membranes and after
being absorbed they act
as general cell poisons.
 Taken by mouth, they
are not without harm in
man, as in cases of
poisoning with
Eucalyptus oil and pine
oil (Pinus sylvestris)
F) VOLATILE OIL
Other toxic essential oils are:
 Apiol present in parsley oil
(Petroselinum crispum) may
procure abortion.
 Safrole present in Sassafras oil
(Sassafras albidum), is
hepatotoxic and carcinogenic.
 Myrsiticin is one of the narcotic
principles of Nutmeg oil (‫)جائفل‬.
 Anethol present in

Foeniculum vulgare .
G) MINERALS
This class of poison is associated with high level of
particular minerals in the air or atmosphere, which are
subsequently taken up by the plants and are accumulated
such that the plants become toxic.
Among the minerals which are often associated with
toxicity are lead, copper, arsenic, mercury, etc. Theses are
generally found in short heighten plants, herbs, and
ground vegetables, mostly found in their roots.
H) RESINS (TRITERPENOID
DERIVATIVES)

For example:
Acarene is the major toxic
principle in Asafoetida
(Heeng), causes skin
eruption and irritation
especially in large amounts
along with nervous
toxicity.
I) FLAVINOIDS

These compounds are especially found in the

floral parts of the plant.
They can cause: GI disturbances, Gastroenteritis,
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, etc.
J) ALLERGENS

These agents include: spores, pollens, and dust.

When such preparations comes in contact with
hypersensitive persons, may cause allergic
reactions.
According to their path of entry, they can be
Infectant, Contact, Inhalant, Ingestant Allergens.
They may cause Hay fever (Rhinitis), Bronchitis,
Skin rashes, or contact dermatitis.
J) ALLERGENS

For example:
Toxicodendrone species (Poison oak, Poison Ivy),
etc.