Chapter 23 – Adverse Neurological Effects Caused by the Ingestion of Plants, Seeds, and Fruits

Francisco Javier Carod Artal

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-411462-3.00023-0

Get rights and content

Abstract

Some plants and seeds used for nutritional and healing purposes can cause neurotoxic symptoms. In tropical regions, several neurological syndromes have been associated with the ingestion of toxic plants such as wild cassava (konzo), Lathyrus sativus (neurolathyrism), Blighia sapida (Jamaican vomiting sickness), Cycad (parkinsonism-dementia–amyotrophic lateral sclerosis complex of Guam island), and Annonaceae (Guadalupe island parkinsonism). Chronic use of kava-kava, aconite, and Callilepis laureola can also cause neurotoxicity. Jimson weed, mandrake, and hemlock are relatively common causes of plant-based accidental poisoning. Catharantus roseus, Podophyllum humboldtiana, and Karwinskia pelatum can cause peripheral neuropathy. Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic drink obtained from Pychotropia viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, contains dimethyl-tryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids. Mushrooms such as Psilocybe and Stropharia contain the hallucinogenic alkaloid psilocybin. Claviceps purpurea contains ergotoxic alkaloids and lysergic acid. Arthrinium sp often contaminates cereals and sugar cane and causes a neurotoxic syndrome mediated by mycotoxins.

Keywords

datura;
ergotism;
hallucinogens;
konzo;
neurolathyrism;
mescaline;
mycotoxins;
neurotoxicity;
plants;
seeds

Cheryl & ethnovet

twitter

Thursday, 7 May 2015