Past Issues
Poisoning due to ornamental plants belonging to the Araceae family: Review of botanical and toxicological aspects relevant for clinical practice
Chair of Drug Toxicology, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Morón, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Centre for Scientific Research and Experiential Learning, University of Morón, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract
Some genera of the Araceae botanical family used with ornamental purposes at home pose a risk to human beings and animals; therefore accidental or voluntary exposure becomes one of the most frequent causes of household poisoning, particularly among children. It is important to highlight that only a low percentage of those patients poisoned by these plants are accurately diagnosed. This is due to the following reasons: the difficulty establishing an early diagnosis due to the enormous diversity of species and the lack of botanical knowledge leading to difficulties identifying the plant, as well as its toxic potential. Therefore, the administration of a specific treatment is delayed. This evinces the multidisciplinary character of toxicology, which requires sciences such as anthropology, botany, agronomy, ethnobotany, mycology, chemistry, etc. to identify the material concerned, as well as its active principles and main uses. The aim of this article is to highlight those botanical, biochemical and medical aspects that are relevant to understand the mechanisms through which these vegetable substances may cause harm.
