Showing papers on "Strychnos potatorum published in 2008"
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Though strychnine is lethal to humans, early aggressive treatment can be life saving, even following exposure to large doses as high as 3750 mg, and in view of the rise in global terrorism, it is important to recognize that stRYchnine may be utilized by terrorists to induce mass poisoning in urban populations by contamination of major food and water supplies.
Abstract: Strychnine is a natural alkaloid commercially obtained from the dried seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica. The various species of Strychnos, distributed around the world’s tropics, include Strychnos nux-vomica, a tree native to southeast Asia, especially India and Myanmar (formerly Burma); Strychnos toxifera, a plant source of the poison curare, originating from South America; Strychnos spinosa, found mainly in tropical and subtropical Africa (the species was recently introduced into Israel as a potential new commercial crop); and Strychnos potatorum, found in India and used as a coagulant to purify water [1]. Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica contain 1.1–1.4% strychnine [2]. Commercial baits, usually containing < 0.5% strychnine by weight, are pelleted and often dyed red or green. It is highly toxic to humans and most domestic animals and is used mainly as a rodenticide. Over the years the cancellation of registrations of agents containing strychnine has reduced its usage throughout the world [3]. Israeli authorities have prohibited its use, as have Britain and the European Union, yet it is still in use in other Middle Eastern countries. Veterinarians are allowed to employ it under specific circumstances, e.g., to prevent the spread of rabies. In the last 20 years human poisonings occurred mainly due to ingestion of the poison in suicidal and homicidal attempts. The lethal dose for human adults ranges between 30 and 120 mg, although death of an adult has been reported after an ingestion of 16 mg. The lethal dose for children is about 15 mg [4,5]. Though strychnine is lethal to humans, early aggressive treatment can be life saving, even following exposure to large doses as high as 3750 mg [6]. In view of the rise in global terrorism, it is important to recognize that strychnine may be utilized by terrorists to induce mass poisoning in urban populations by contamination of major food and water supplies. This short review focuses on the unique clinical effects of strychnine and the proposed medical care that should be employed in case of strychnine poisoning. Chemical properties and mechanism of action
50 citations