This document provides an introduction to poisonous plants found in Pakistan, with a focus on their toxic effects. It defines poison and grades of poisoning from mild to severe. It then outlines and describes different categories of poisonous plants found in Pakistan, including cyanogenic plants, gastro-enteric irritants, plants containing atropine, plants toxic to the central nervous system, cardiotoxic plants, and hepatotoxic plants. For each category, it provides examples of poisonous plants found in Pakistan and describes their toxic principles and potential symptoms of poisoning.

2. Introduction of Poisonous Plants
with Special reference to
Pakistan

3. “TOPIC OUTLINES”
WHAT IS POISON?
GRADES OF POISONING.
REASONS OF TOXICITY.
WHAT ARE POISONUS PLANTS?
INTRODUCTION OF POISONING PLANTS WITH
RESPECT TO PAKISTAN.

4. “Poison”
Any substance which, when taken into the system,
acts injuriously, in a manner neither thermal nor
mechanical, tending to cause death or serious
detriment to health.

5. Grades of poisoning:
Following are the grades of poisoning produced by poisonous plants
Mild poisoning: poisoning may be called as mild poisoning if
symptoms produced by the poisonous plants are like itching (on the
palm of hands, soles of feet, body etc) sneezing, lacrimation, redness
of the area or skin of red patches or hives, shivering, dizziness,
dryness of mouth(thirst) etc. e.g. poisoning due to chrysanthemum,
Asparagus, daffodils etc.
 Moderate: poisoning
 Severe poisoning:

6.  Moderate: poisoning
If the symptoms are not severe, i.e. may bearable by the patient for
sometimes, or become distressing and aggravated if left unattended
or not properly treated e.g. diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe
vomiting, gas-enteritis, colitis, burning sensation of mouth and
throat, appearance of watery blisters that are painful and rapidly
spreading, e.g. as with toxic odendron radicans (poison ivy)

7.  Severe poisoning:
If the poisoning produced by poisonous plants gives rise to
symptoms-appearance indicating involvement of vital system of the
body (e.g. cardiovascular system, central nervous system or
Respiratory tract) or if these symptoms are severe enough, not
tolerable by the patient, it may be said that poisoning is severe. In
many of the poisoning cases, if patient is left unattended and not
properly and timely managed drastic consequences may occur, even
leading to death.
Examples are: - Excessive, uncontrolled diarrhea and/or vomiting,
fall in blood pressure (hypotension) or abrupt rise in blood pressure
(Hypertension), bronchial spasm, narrowing of air passages
(asthmatic attack) Severe poisoning may be observed in certain
individuals with following plants:
e.g. Nux-vomica (strychnine) colchicum (colchicines), Digitalis leaves,
Aconitum
napellus (aconite) etc

8. REASONS OF TOXICITY
 Plant contain two principles;
 Toxic principles
 Medicinal principles
“ALL THINGS ARE POISON. DOSE ALONE DECIDES THAT A THING IS
POISON OR MEDICINE.”
 About 80% of plant population serves medicinal purposes while
15-20% is toxic or have no medicinal effects.

9. WHAT ARE POISONUS PLANTS?
• Poisonous plants are the plants possessing toxic principles which
when introduced into the body in relatively small quantity will
effect very deleterviously and may cause impairment of the body
function, even leading to death.
• Poisonous plants produce poison, i.e., toxin that is a protein or
conjugated protein. Poison or toxin produced by posinous plants
is called phytotoxin. Thus poisonous plants produce these
poisonous (chemical) compounds that interfere in the metabolism
of living organisms, and damage the basic life principle, i.e.
protoplasm of the cells.

10. • They exert directly or indirectly toxic action leading to poisoning
in man and animals. These poisonous principles responsible for
toxic effect of plants arise through various ligenetic pathways
and are mostly so-called secondary metabolites. Many plant
poisons are highly active substances; these substances make a
plant a poisonous plant because they are present in high
concentration.
• These poisonous plants produce toxic manifestation. When taken
orally, or come into contact with the skin of human and animal.
Poisonous plants produce poisning or toxicity depending or not
depending upon the dose. Poisoning may be mild to moderate
that is easily tolerable and manageable,that may need not the
services of a consulant; or it may be severe enough, that may
lead to drastic consequences even death, if properly and timely
not managed and treated

11. INTRODUCTION TO POISONUS PLANTS OF PAKISTAN
 POISONUS PLANTS
o CYANOGENETIC PLANTS
o GASTRO-ENTERIC IRRITANTS
o ATROPINE CONTAINIG PLANTS
o CNS TOXIC PLANTS
o CARDIO-TOXIC PLANTS
o HEPATOTOXIC PLANTS

12. CYANOGENETIC PLANTS
 Toxic Principle: Cyanogenetic glycosides or cyanogens (amygdalin,
prunasin) .
 Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is formed when the glycosides are
hydrolysed by enzymes in plants or by microorganisms
 The glycosides occur in vacuoles of plant tissue while the
enzymes are found in the cytosol .
 Damage to the plant from wilting, trampling, mastication, frost,
drought, bruising etc. results in the enzymes and glycosides
coming together causing hydrogen cyanide to be formed. Beta-
glycosideases are also produced by microorganisms.

13.  Occurrence:
Found in In North west frontier Pakistan and
cultivated.
 Mechanism of toxic action:
Once free cyanide is released from the
plant tissue and is absorbed it reacts with ferric iron (+3) in
cytochrome oxidase which halts cellular respiration. Oxyhemoglobin
cannot release oxygen for electron transport in the cytochrome
system since the cyanide - cytochrome oxidase will not function in
electron transport.

14. Diagnosis:
 Clinical signs
Signs may include excitement, general muscle
tremors, dyspnoea, salivation, defecation, urination followed by
clonic convulsions and death .
 Laboratory diagnosis
Measurement of cyanide in GI contents.
 Lesions
Bright red color to blood and mucous membranes, detection of plant
material in GI tract.

15. Plants in Pakistan:
All of following found in NWFP. These are cultivated also in different
areas in Pakistan.
o Genus Prunus
o Prunus amygdalus ( Bitter almond )
o Prunus domestica ( Plum )
o Prunus armeniaca ( Apricot )
o Others
o Pyrus malus ( Apple )
o Trifolium repens ( White Clover )

16. GASTROENTERIC IRRITANTS
Gastro-enteric irritants are further divided into four groups;
MOUTH AND Throat IRRITANTS:
IRRITANTS OF GASTRIC MUCOSA:
IRRITANTS OF INTESTINAL MUCOSA
PLANTS PRODUCING DELAYED GASTROENTERITIS:

17. MOUTH AND Throat IRRITANTS
This group includes plants that cause irritation in mouth and throat
upon chewing.
Plants in this group do not have any medicinal effects.
 Toxic principle:
 Toxic principle is raphide i.e. calcium oxalate crystals in arial parts
of plants.
 Symptoms of toxicity:
o Burning sensation
o Increased salivation
o Blisters on tongue

18. Arisaema triphyllum ( Saanp booti )
(Found in Ayubia, Nathia gali)
Arum jacquemontii
( Found in Gilgit, parachanar)

19. Colocasia esculanta ( Arvi )
( Found in Sindh, Swaat)

20. IRRITANTS OF GASTRIC MUCOSA
This group includes plants that produce spontaneous emesis upon
ingestion and are rarely consumed at high doses.
 Toxic principle:
Toxic principle is an alkaloid i.e. Lycorine that is heat
stable and has fungicidal properties.
 Symptoms of toxicity:
o Emesis
o Narcosis (insensibility)
o Convulsions

21. Narcissus tazetta ( Daffodil )
( Found in lower Swaat )
Amaryllis vittata ( Aztec lily )
( Found in Punjab and Sindh )

22. Crinum asiaticum ( Crinum lily )
( Found in Punjab and Sindh )

23. IRRITANTS OF INTESTINAL MUCOSA
This group includes plants that produce emesis, colic (abdominal
pain) and diarrhea within one hour of ingestion.


24.  Symptoms:
o Abdominal pain
o Emesis
o Diarrhea
o Muscular weakness
o Hypotension
o Respiratory distress
o Contact dermatitis
o Blistering on tongue & throat

25. Plant :- Aesculus indica
Toxic component Saponin glycoside (aesculin)
Habitat found in nut, leaves, bark Quetta, Murree,
Ziarat, Azad kashmir
No medicinal value

26.  Podophyllum emodi
Podophyllum hexandrum
o Resin (podophyllin)
in rhizome
o Swaat, Chitral, Murree, Ziarat
o Anti-cancer
 Taxus baccata ( Zarnab )
Alkaloid (taxine) in leaves
Murree, Gilgit, Swaat, Kashmir
Taxol used in cancer treatment

27. PLANTS PRODUCING DELAYED GASTROENTERITIS
This group includes plants that produce gastroenteritis after these
are ingested and swallowed.
Plants are well distributed in;
 Azad Kashmir Jammu Kashmir
 Swaat
 Gilgit
 Chitral

28.  Symptoms:
o Burning sensation
o Gastroenteritis
o Diarrhea
o Emesis
o Respiratory disturbances
o Cardiac arrest

29.  Abrus precatorius ( Ratti )
Abrin, Abric acid in seeds
Contraceptive Anti-cancer (Abrin)
 Ricinus communis ( Arand )
Glycoprotein (ricin) in seeds
Purgative

30.  Colchicum luteum
( Suranjan )
Alkaloid (colchicine) in seeds.
Gout Rheumatism
 Rheum webbianum
Rheum ribes ( Atis )
Salts of oxalic acid in leaves.
No medicinal value

31. ATROPINE CONTAINING PLANTS
Plant containing atropine include;
 Atropa belladonna
 Datura stramonium
 Hyoscyamus niger

32.  Symptoms:
Overdose can occur from excessive ingestion of the
herbal medicine, by accidental poisonings, or intentional ingestion
for illicit drug use.
o Symptoms include;
o Intense thirst
o Visual disturbance
o Flushed skin
o Central nervous system hyperirritability
o Delirium
o Rapid Heart beat with elevated temperature .
o Subjects may be prone to violence, hallucination, convulsions,
coma, and death.

33. CNS TOXIC PLANTS

34. There are many plants that have toxic effects on the nervous
system. They may;
o Block nerve impulses
o Cause convulsions
o Alter behaviour Interfere with muscle activity and breathing
o Cause immediate death.
o There are no antidotes .

35. Treatment involves taking steps to prevent absorption and speed
elimination, along with supportive care.
Some of these toxicities cannot be successfully treated.
 CNS TOXIC PLANTS
 CONVULSANTS
 PLANTS THAT ALTER AWARENESS
 PLANTS HAVING NICOTINE LIKE ACTION:

36. CONVULSANTS
This group of plants causes convulsions.
Plants include;
 Cicuta virosa ( Hemlock )
 Melia azedarach,
 Azadirachta indica ( Neem )
 Strychnos nux-vomica ( Kuchla )

37.  Cicuta virosa ( Hemlock )
o Cicutoxin Alkaloid (coniine) in leaves, fruit, seeds
No Tremors Seizures

38.  Azadirachta indica ( Neem )
Melia azedarach Azadirachta indica Unidentified resin in fruit
insecticidal. Leaves are used for blood purification in Pakistan
Vomiting, Bloody faeces, Pulmonary congestion, Cardiac arrest ,
Rigidity, Lack of coordination and general weakness

39.  Strychnos nux-vomica
Alkaloids (strychnine and brucine) in
seeds No Convulsions (strychnine) Paralysis (brucine)

40. PLANTS THAT ALTER AWARENESS
This group of plants contains substances that can cause an altered
mental or behavioural state in pets and people, and may cause
other signs of illness in pets.
 Signs of toxicity:
o Depression
o Muscular incoordination
o Respiratory depression
o Hypotension
o Blurred vision
o Delirium
 Large quantities can cause the animal to become unconscious.
Some plant toxins may cause blurred vision, vomiting, diarrhoea,
and cardiac and respiratory distress.

41. Plants include;
 Cannabis sativa ( Marijuana )
Plant Toxic component Medicinal value Cannabis sativa Resin
(tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) in plant In cancer therapy as anti-
emetic Appetite stimulant.
 Vinca rosea Alkaloid (vincristine, vinblastine) Cancer treatment

42. PLANTS HAVING NICOTINE LIKE ACTION
These plants contain either nicotine or similar substances.
Signs of toxicity include;
o Nausea
o Vomiting
o Salivation
o Diarrhoea
o Convulsions
o Muscle twitching
o Weakness
o Collapse

43. Plants:
 Nicotiana tobaccum
( Tobacco )
 Lobelia inflata
(Jangli sumbal )

44. CARDIOTOXIC PLANTS

45.  PLANTS That cause cardiovascular changes
Several plants contain chemicals that rapidly and significantly affect
the heart.
 Signs and symptoms of toxicity:
Initially, it may include;
o Immediate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea (At times,
gastrointestinal signs are delayed for several hours)
o Respiratory distress
o Cardiac effects include changes in heart rate and rhythm that
culminate in death.

46. Plants that effect heart are;
 Digitalis purpurea , Digitalis lanata
Toxic component :- Glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin) in leaves.
Medicinal Value :- Cardiac stimulant

47.  Nerium indica ;Nerium oleander
Glycosides (oleandrin, neriine)
Medicinal Vlaue:-Anthelmintic, febrifuge, diuretic, emetic,
expectorant, cardiotonic and anticancer.

48. HEPATOTOXIC PLANTS

49.  Plants that produce hepatotoxicity are;
o Holarrhena antidysenterica (Kurchi bark )
Medicinal Value:- Diarrhea,Piles,Skin Disorders
o Aegle marmelos (Bael)
Medicinal Value:- dyspepsia, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
o Terminalia chebula (Harad )
o Expectorent,Anthelmintic

50. Holarrhena
antidysenterica
(Kurchi bark )
Aegle marmelos
(Bael)