https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/132565.pdf

Discovery and resupply of pharmacologically active plant-derived natural products: A review.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)—a perennial, warm-season (C4) species—evolved across North America into multiple, divergent populations. The resulting natural variation within the species presents considerable morphological diversity and a wide range of adaptation. The species was adopted as a crop—initially as a forage—only in the last 50 yr. Its potential uses have recently been expanded to include biofuels. Management of switchgrass for biofuels is informed by an understanding of the plant's biology. Successful establishment requires attention to seed dormancy and weed control as well as proper depth and date of planting. The plant's growth rate is closely tied to temperature, but timing of reproductive development is linked to photoperiod. Accordingly, the period of vegetative growth can be extended by planting lower-latitude cultivars at higher latitudes. This strategy may provide a yield advantage, but cold tolerance can become limiting. Switchgrass is thrifty in its use of applied N; it appears a...

The Biology and Agronomy of Switchgrass for Biofuels

ContextThe recent discoveries of ricin, a deadly biologic toxin, at a South Carolina postal facility, a White House mail facility, and a US senator’s office has raised concerns among public health officials, physicians, and citizens. Ricin is one of the most potent and lethal substances known, particularly when inhaled. The ease with which the native plant (Ricinus communis) can be obtained and the toxin extracted makes ricin an attractive weapon.ObjectivesTo summarize the literature on ricin poisoning and provide recommendations based on our best professional judgment for clinicians and public health officials that are faced with deliberate release of ricin into the environment.Literature AcquisitionUsing PubMed, we searched MEDLINE and OLDMEDLINE databases (January 1950-August 2005). The Chemical and Biological Information Analysis Center database was searched for historical and military literature related to ricin toxicity. Book chapters, unpublished reports, monographs, relevant news reports, and Web material were also reviewed to find nonindexed articles.ResultsMost literature on ricin poisoning involves castor bean ingestion and experimental animal research. Aerosol release of ricin into the environment or adulteration of food and beverages are pathways to exposure likely to be exploited. Symptoms after ingestion (onset within 12 hours) are nonspecific and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and may progress to hypotension, liver failure, renal dysfunction, and death due to multiorgan failure or cardiovascular collapse. Inhalation (onset of symptoms is likely within 8 hours) of ricin is expected to produce cough, dyspnea, arthralgias, and fever and may progress to respiratory distress and death, with few other organ system manifestations. Biological analytic methods for detecting ricin exposure are undergoing investigation and may soon be available through reference laboratories. Testing of environmental samples is available through federal reference laboratories. Currently, no antidote, vaccine, or other specific effective therapy is available for ricin poisoning or prevention. Prompt treatment with supportive care is necessary to limit morbidity and mortality.ConclusionHealth care workers and public health officials should consider ricin poisoning in patients with gastrointestinal or respiratory tract illness in the setting a credible threat. Poison control centers and public health authorities should be notified of any known illness associated with ricin exposure.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/201818/jcr50010.pdf

Ricin poisoning: a comprehensive review

https://zenodo.org/record/1004771/files/Cushnie%20et%20al%20%282014%29%20post-peer%20reviewed%20version.pdf

Alkaloids: an overview of their antibacterial, antibiotic-enhancing and antivirulence activities.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

The consumption of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), common juniper (Juniperus communis), and Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) causes abortions in pregnant cattle. Recent studies have identified isocupressic acid (1) as the primary abortificient compound in these plants. In vitro and in vivo studies using rumen and blood have shown isocupressic acid (1) is rapidly metabolized to agathic acid (3), dihydroagathic acid (4), and tetrahydroagathic acid (5). Rapid and sensitive diagnostic techniques are needed to identify poisoned animals, to study toxicokinetics, and to elucidate the mechanism of isocupressic acid-induced abortion in cattle. In this study, four competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for isocupressic acid and its sera metabolites were developed using polyclonal antibodies. One assay is specific to 1, whereas the other three assays show cross-reactivity to 3-5 in addition to 1. The assay specific to 1 had a limit of detection of 44.1 pg. The other assays which demonstrated cross-reactivity to the isocupressic acid blood metabolites also had comparably low limits of detection. One assay was used to follow the absorption and elimination profile of isocupressic acid metabolites in both cow serum and urine after oral dosage of a cow with common juniper.

Development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for isocupressic acid and serum metabolites of isocupressic acid.

Poiretia punctata (Willd.) Desv. was associated with cattle and sheep poisoning on nine farms in the State of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The animals were found dead or died later after showing clinical signs for up to 18 hours. Two sheep that ingested 40g/kg body weight (g/kg) of fresh P. punctata died three and eight hours after ingestion, respectively. Another sheep that ingested 40g/kg five days after plant collection showed mild clinical signs and recovered after 24 hours. Two sheep that received 20g/kg and another that ingested three daily doses of 20g/kg showed clinical signs, but recovered. Two cattle that ingested 20g/kg of the fresh plant exhibited clinical signs and recovered. The clinical observations of poisoning were depression, ataxia, loss of equilibrium, broad-based stance, head down, falls, mandibular trismus, opisthotonous, nystagmus, and recumbence. Significant gross and histologic lesions were not observed. Samples of P. punctata were analyzed for nitrates, cyanogenic glycosides, and sodium monofluouracetate with negative results. It is concluded that P. punctata is a toxic plant that caused death in cattle and sheep in the State of Sergipe.

/pdf/intoxicacao-por-poiretia-punctata-em-bovinos-e-ovinos-4mj8per630.pdf

Intoxicação por Poiretia punctata em bovinos e ovinos

Botanicals have been the source for several classes of pesticides for mosquitoes. However, increasing resistance to these products and reduced numbers of choices necessitate the search for new active ingredients. Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H. Rob. or white snakeroot, is found throughout the eastern United States and contains known toxic compounds. We examine chromenes (benzopyrans) and benzofurans isolated fiom this plant for larvicidal and adulticidal activity against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. Initial activity identified several compounds that were effective against either larvae or adults. Interestingly, only two compounds were effective against both larva and adults. Dose curves were constructed from further testing of these active compounds to allow. comparative ranking of efficacy. We identified dehydrotremetone as the most effective larvicide (0.03 ± 0.001 ng/μL) and 6-acetyl-7-methoxy-2,2- dimethylchromene as the most effective adulticide (1.17 ± 0.31 μg/org) although other compounds were also active. This study provides additional useful data for evaluation of chromenes and benzofurans as possible mosquiticidal agents.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X1601101113

Stephen T. Lee

Papers

Development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for isocupressic acid and serum metabolites of isocupressic acid.

Intoxicação por Poiretia punctata em bovinos e ovinos

Toxicity of Compounds Isolated from White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) to Adult and Larval Yellow Fever Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti).

The clinical and morphological changes of intermittent locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) poisoning in sheep.

Geographical and seasonal variation in water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) toxins