Dropsy, epidemic

Compound derived from poppy seed oil. Inhibits oxidation of pyruvic acid, which accumulates in the blood. Used as antimicrobial to control dental disease but also toxic - cause of epidemic dropsy. 

Hakim SAE 1954 Argemone oil, sanguinarine, and epidemic-dropsy glaucoma. Brit J Ophthalmol 38 193 —215... 

Hakim (1954) found that young rats given orally either 1 ml of seed oil or 0.35 mg sanguinarine daily over 225 days exhibited some increase in ocular tension and subcutaneous and intravenous injections of the alkaloid also produced temporary rises in tension. Shenolikar et al. (1974) have calculated that in human beings a daily intake of as little as 0.02 ml argemone oil or 0.11 mg sanguinarine could lead to the development of clinical symptoms of epidemic dropsy. Kaul and Ahuja (1980) re-... 

The case of the prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, with its involvement in epidemic dropsy and glaucoma, has few redeeming features, but has nevertheless brought awareness and understanding of related problems in other parts of the world. 

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