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Applications of Liquid-Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Natural Products Research: Tropane Alkaloids as a Case Study
Published on: March 8, 2024
Analysis of toxic alkaloids in body samples
Jochen Beyer1, Olaf H Drummer, Hans H Maurer
1Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Monash University, Department of Forensic Medicine, 57-83 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006, Australia. jochenb@vifm.org
Forensic Science International
|January 17, 2009
Summary
Fatal plant poisonings are rare despite numerous toxic plants. This review covers 14 toxic alkaloids, their symptoms, and detection methods for diagnosing plant poisonings and abuse cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Ethnobotany
Background:
- Many plants contain toxic alkaloids, posing risks to human health.
- Fatal plant poisonings are infrequent, with regional variations in plant species and poisoning frequencies.
- Plant poisonings are categorized into unintended ingestions, intentional ingestions (homicide/suicide), and substance abuse for psychoactive effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review toxic alkaloids commonly involved in human poisonings.
- To summarize the clinical symptoms associated with intoxication by these alkaloids.
- To discuss analytical methods for detecting toxic alkaloids in biological samples.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of toxic alkaloids and their effects.
- Compilation of clinical manifestations of plant-induced intoxications.
- Overview of toxicological analysis techniques for alkaloid detection.
Main Results:
- Identified 14 key toxic alkaloids: aconitine, atropine, coniine, colchicine, cytisine, dimethyltryptamine, harmine, harmaline, ibogaine, kawain, mescaline, scopolamine, and taxine.
- Detailed the characteristic symptoms for each alkaloid intoxication.
- Highlighted the utility of toxicological analysis in diagnosing poisoning and abuse.
Conclusions:
- Toxic alkaloids from plants represent a significant toxicological concern.
- Understanding symptoms and employing analytical methods are crucial for managing plant poisonings.
- Regional specificity and increasing abuse highlight the need for continued vigilance and research.
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