Review article
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/9/1/8
Pathophysiological mechanisms of animal and plant toxins actions
Laura Manin
; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka
Hrvoje Jakovac
; Department of physiology, immunology and pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka
Abstract
The increasing incidence of plant and animal toxins poisoning during recent years has shown the importance of knowing poisonous species in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. In the Republic of Croatia, one can find belladonna or deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), European scopolia or henbane bell (Scopolia carniolica), nicotiana (Nicotiana alata), mandrake (Mandragora
officinarum), jimson weed (Datura stramonium), Christmas rose or black hellebore, (Helleborus niger) and autumn crocus or meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) as poisonous plant species. The majority of dangerous plants are a part of the family of nightshades (Solanaceae). They are rich in tropane alkaloids, which serve as anticholinergic substances. They have an antagonistic
effect on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Considering the fact that the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are widespread in the human body, during the intoxication with these plants the following symptoms occur: disturbance in the heart rate and rhythm, inhibition or stimulation of secretion of glands and disorders of intestinal motility. One of the most well-known effects is the occurrence of delirium and hallucinations due to the inhibition of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. Poisonous mushrooms are described as well. In Croatia, the most significant ones are death cap (Amanita phalloides) and fly agaric (Amanita muscaria). They belong to the Amanita genus, in which we can find two different toxin groups: phallotoxins and amatoxins, which inhibit RNA polymerase II and thus disable the synthesis of vitally important proteins. From animal toxins, snake, spider and fish toxins have been described. In the Republic of Croatia, the majority of venomous snakes belong to the Viperidae family. Our best known poisonous snakes are the horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) and the common European adder (Vipera berus). Their venom contains hyaluronidases, phospholipase A2, and metalloproteinases. Among the spiders, the black widow and the brown coastal river spider are described. Spider venom is a mixture of monoamines, with aproalgesic effect, peptides with excitatory effects that cause a nociceptive response. Our most famous poisonous fish are the scorpionfish (Scorpanea scrofa) and the greater weever (Trachinus draco).
Keywords
toxins; plants; animals; tropane alkaloids; proteolytic enzymes
Hrčak ID:
296159
URI
Publication date:
22.3.2023.
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