Physiological Activity of Picrotoxanes

Just five years after the isolation of morphine, the molecular compound picrotoxin was isolated from the fruits of A. cocculus (M. cocculus), imported from South Asia. Although no direct beneficial effects to humans were known, the fruits were used in Europe since the sixteenth century to catch fish by smnning them and to kill body lice (2). Thus, the most characteristic property of picrotoxin was and is its high toxicity. 

Picrotoxin is described as irritating the respiratory center, exciting the vomiting center, rendering the pain center(s) more sensitive, and causing convulsions resembling epileptic seizures and death. The early findings were reviewed by Porter (2). It was Porter who found that the two components of the molecular compound 

The only European plant containing picrotoxanes, C. myrtifolia (tanner s brush, mealy tree, curriers sumac) shows very similar characteristics of intoxication to picrotoxinin. The berries of this shrub are sometimes confused with edible berries (for instance, blackberries) especially by children. A recent case concerned an 8-year-old boy from southern France who developed vomiting and convulsions. His life was saved by administering diazepam repeatedly over a period of 1 day 

Although there are accounts of intoxications by Coriaria species of East Asia (28), these plants are better known for their use in traditional medicine. 

The most poisonous plant in the Cape area of South Africa is H. globosa (giftbom). Its scientific name is said to be connected with the use of this tree to poison wild animals, especially hyenas, and Smith claims that it may have been used as arrow poison (238). 

---