An Atropa belladonna L. poisoning with acute subdural hematoma

Fatty acid composition, antibacterial and antioxidant potential of Atropa belladonna and Thymus linearis seeds grown in Kashmir

In this study fatty acid composition of petroleum ether (AP and TP) and biological potential (Antioxidant and antibacterial) of chloroform (AC and TC), methanol (AM and TM) extracts of Atropa belladonna L. and Thymus linearis Benth. respectively was obtained by Soxhlet extraction technique from seeds were investigated. Fatty acid profile was obtained by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, antioxidant potential (DPPH-2,2-di-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; ABTS-2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and antibacterial activity against (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Klebesiella pneumonia) was also performed. Linoleic acid was dominantly found with 74.42% in AP and 84.39% in TP. In antioxidant assays, the dominant inhibition was shown by AM (84.98% and 83.90%) and TM (85.27% and 83.29%) as compared to BHT (93.72% and 90.87%) for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging respectively at 200 µg/mL. Moreover, AM and TM extracts showed good antibacterial activity. In conclusion, these plants could be selected as an adequate species in agricultural system, in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Graphic abstract

Poisoning by Herbs and Plants: Rapid Toxidromic Classification and Diagnosis

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has continued to report approximately 50,000 telephone calls or 8% of incoming calls annually related to plant exposures, mostly in children. Although the frequency of plant ingestions in children is related to the presence of popular species in households, adolescents may experiment with hallucinogenic plants; and trekkers and foragers may misidentify poisonous plants as edible. Since plant exposures have continued at a constant rate, the objectives of this review were (1) to review the epidemiology of plant poisonings; and (2) to propose a rapid toxidromic classification system for highly toxic plant ingestions for field use by first responders in comparison to current classification systems. Internet search engines were queried to identify and select peer-reviewed articles on plant poisonings using the key words in order to classify plant poisonings into four specific toxidromes: cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and gastrointestinal-hepatotoxic. A simple toxidromic classification system of plant poisonings may permit rapid diagnoses of highly toxic versus less toxic and nontoxic plant ingestions both in households and outdoors; direct earlier management of potentially serious poisonings; and reduce costly inpatient evaluations for inconsequential plant ingestions. The current textbook classification schemes for plant poisonings were complex in comparison to the rapid classification system; and were based on chemical nomenclatures and pharmacological effects, and not on clearly presenting toxidromes. Validation of the rapid toxidromic classification system as compared to existing chemical classification systems for plant poisonings will require future adoption and implementation of the toxidromic system by its intended users.

Poisonous or non-poisonous plants? DNA-based tools and applications for accurate identification

Plant exposures are among the most frequently reported cases to poison control centres worldwide. This is a growing condition due to recent societal trends oriented towards the consumption of wild plants as food, cosmetics, or medicine. At least three general causes of plant poisoning can be identified: plant misidentification, introduction of new plant-based supplements and medicines with no controls about their safety, and the lack of regulation for the trading of herbal and phytochemical products. Moreover, an efficient screening for the occurrence of plants poisonous to humans is also desirable at the different stages of the food supply chain: from the raw material to the final transformed product. A rapid diagnosis of intoxication cases is necessary in order to provide the most reliable treatment. However, a precise taxonomic characterization of the ingested species is often challenging. In this review, we provide an overview of the emerging DNA-based tools and technologies to address the issue of poisonous plant identification. Specifically, classic DNA barcoding and its applications using High Resolution Melting (Bar-HRM) ensure high universality and rapid response respectively, whereas High Throughput Sequencing techniques (HTS) provide a complete characterization of plant residues in complex matrices. The pros and cons of each approach have been evaluated with the final aim of proposing a general user's guide to molecular identification directed to different stakeholder categories interested in the diagnostics of poisonous plants.

Accidental overdose in the deep shade of night: a warning on the assumed safety of 'natural substances'

There is an increasing use of herbal remedies and medicines, with a commonly held belief that natural substances are safe. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman who was a trained herbalist and had purchased an 'Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) preparation'. Attempting to combat her insomnia, late one evening she deliberately ingested a small portion of this, approximately 50 mL. Unintentionally, this was equivalent to a very large (15 mg) dose of atropine and she presented in an acute anticholinergic syndrome (confused, tachycardic and hypertensive) to our accident and emergency department. She received supportive management in our intensive treatment unit including mechanical ventilation. Fortunately, there were no long-term sequelae from this episode. However, this dramatic clinical presentation does highlight the potential dangers posed by herbal remedies. Furthermore, this case provides clinicians with an important insight into potentially dangerous products available legally within the UK. To help clinicians' understanding of this our discussion explains the manufacture and 'dosing' of the A. belladonna preparation.

Atropine poisoning mimicking septicemia

A young female was admitted in medical emergency room with fever, tachycardia and breathing difficulty. A provisional diagnosis of septicemia was made and empirical antibiotics were started. The patient required intubation and assisted ventilation. The patient recovered within 72 hours completely except bilateral mid-dilated fixed pupils. Atropine was not administered in the hospital. All blood investigations and infection screening tests were negative. After detailed history, examination and discussions, atropine poisoning was suspected which could explain all the signs and symptoms of the patient. This highlights the examination of pupillary reflexes in emergency room and meticulous clinical examination.

Anticholinergic Toxic Syndrome Caused by Atropa Belladonna Fruit (Deadly Nightshade): A Case Report

Atropa Belladonna poisoning may lead to anticholinergic syndrome. Ingestion of high amounts of the plant may cause lethargy, coma, and even a serious clinical picture leading to death. In this case report, we aimed to present a case with anticholinergic syndrome that developed after ingestion of the fruit called "Deadly Nightshade" in our country.