PLANT TOXINSJOHN CARLO MACUJAJACKIELYN OCBINAIII-BSCT

Chemical and Molecular Toxicology

Western Water Hemlock Kingdom-  Plantae Subkingdom-  Tracheobiont

a Superdivision- Spermatophy

ta Division-  Magnoliophyta Class-  Magnoliopsida Order- Apiales Family-  Apiaceae

Western Water Hemlock Scientic Name: Cicuta

douglasii

Western water hemlock is a poisonous plant in the family Apiaceae. It is a perennial plant that grows in wet places such as marshes, stream banks, slough margins, ditches, meadows, and wet pastures

It is the most poisonous plant in North America.

Western Water Hemlock

Western Water Hemlock Toxin- cicutoxin Cicutoxin is the poisonous

substance found in water hemlock (Cicuta species).

It is a natural product structurally related to the oenanthotoxin of hemlock water dropwort.

Western Water Hemlock Cicutoxin is a yellowish

liquid that is prevalent in the roots.

Western Water Hemlock

It is an unsaturated alcohol

Western Water Hemlock Oenanthotoxin is found in the

plant hemlock water dropwort

Western Water HemlockEffects in the body Its primary effect is the

disruption of the central nervous system.

Cicutoxin acts as a non-competitive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonist.

Cicutoxin acts on the GABAA receptor causing a block of the chloride channel which results in neuronal depolarization.

Western Water Hemlock GABAA receptor In the presence of cicutoxin this

depolarization continues unabated causing cell overactivity. The hyperactivity in brain cells results in seizures

Western Water HemlockSymptoms Signs of poisoning can occur

within 15 mins This include nausea, vomiting,

abdominal pain, muscle twitch, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, tremors, seizures, excessive salivation or frothing of the mouth, and dilation of pupils

Western Water Hemlock Symptoms Deaths usually occur from

respiratory failure or cardiac arrest

Treatment Initial treatment of poisoning

may include gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal

There is no specific antidote for water hemlock poisoning and treatment mainly consists of supportive care