There are over 24,000 known secondary plant compounds including the alkaloids, non-protein amino acids, cyanogenic glycosides, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids. Research has concentrated on toxicity and nutritional limitations of plants that result from the presence of secondary compounds. Secondary plant compounds have both anti-nutritional and toxic effects on mammalian herbivores. They al...

Croton tiglium L. is a traditional medicinal plant grown in tropical and subtropical zone. The extract of seeds is generally used as medicine as they are rich in secondary metabolites, such as, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins. Plant is used in the treatment of various ailments in developing countries such as wound healing, constipation, a purgative, traditional dyspepsia, dysente...

The present investigation assessed the effects of a metalloid (arsenic) and two heavy metals (cadmium and mercury), on the growth and metal accumulation in two medicinal plant species, artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and Savory (Satureja hortensis L.). The experiment was conducted hydroponically in spiked solution with different concentrations of arsenic (0, 20, 100, and 500 µM), cadmium (0, 10,...

A question that frequently arises in connection with elements regarded necessary for plant growth is whether or not a particular element is an essential plant food or merely a stimulating substance. Is its role that of a catalyzer, or is it actually incorporated into the tissues as an integral part of the plant? These questions are more applicable to such elements as manganese, copper, zinc and...

Many plants contain toxic alkaloids which may be dangerous to humans. Despite the large number of poisonous plants, cases of fatal plant poisonings are relatively rare. The frequencies of poisonings and the plants involved are often regionally specific. Plant poisonings can be aggregated into three categories: unintended ingestions, intended ingestions, and poisoning due to abuse of plant mater...

We report a case of severe poisoning in a 57-day-old infant who presented with vomiting, convulsions, and shock after ingesting a bottle of milk containing a decoction of Rhododendron simsii. The grandmother collected this toxic plant from a cultivated area, believing it was good for the airways. Grayanotoxin was detected in both the urine and plant specimens. The infant made a good recovery af...