Re: Toxicity of VFTs

From: schlauer@chemie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Date: Thu Jul 13 2000 - 01:57:39 PDT


Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 08:57:39 +0000
From: schlauer@chemie.uni-wuerzburg.de
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg2090$foo@default>
Subject: Re: Toxicity of VFTs

Dear Joe,

> Ok, so the question is, "How toxic are they?".

These substances are usually regarded as irritant (and poisonous at
higher doses, say ca. ten whole plants or more). Plumbagin causes a
blue/grey colouration of the skin. It is a cytostatic but has many
additional, unwanted effects (so it is not used/recommended directly
for cancer therapy).

Drugs made from plants containing plumbagin or 7-methyljuglone (e.g.
many _Drosera_ species) have been used in traditional medicine for
centuries. The most common indication in Europe seems to have been
whooping cough. Some species of Nepenthales are used as aphrodisiacs
(as you know very well, Barry!).

> So, what happens if you eat a VFT leaf? Upset stomach?

Probably yes.

> Vomiting?

In small children/sensitive persons possible.

> Long-term health problems?

Possible (allergenic, sensitizing).

> Death?

Not likely from a single leaf (if swallowed), mainly depending on the
pesticides applied. Reportedly, the fresh leaves are deadly to
arthropods (if swallowed). ;-)

Kind regards
Jan



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