Plant toxins neurotoxicity

Plant-derived neurotoxic psychodysleptics affect peripheral neural functions and motor coordination, sometimes accompanied by delirium, stupor, trance states, and vomiting. Prominent among these toxins are the pyrollizidines from peyote. Also included are erythrionones from the coral tree and quinolizidines from the mescal bean (see Figure 19.2). 

Bacteria, protozoa, and venomous animals synthesize numerous toxins that are used to kill their prey or to defend themselves. Sea anemones, jellyfish, cone snails, insects, spiders, scorpions, and snakes all make potent and highly specific neurotoxins. Plants form a host of alkaloids and other specialized products, some of which are specifically neurotoxic and able to deter predators. More than 500 species of marine cone snails of the genus Conus synthesize a vast array of polypeptide toxins (conotoxins), 487-489 some with unusual posttranslational modifications.490 491 The slow-moving snails are voracious predators that use their toxins, which they inject with a disposible harpoonlike tooth,492 to paralyze fish, molluscs, or worms.493... 

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