(URL: http://www.plantasmedicinales.org/abstract/feb2002/Argemone%20mexicana.htm, Oct 2002)
1: Forensic Sci Int 2001 Jan 1;115(1-2):135-41
Argemone mexicana poisoning: autopsy findings of two cases.
Verma SK, Dev G, Tyagi AK, Goomber S, Jain GV.
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110095, India. dbmi@ucms.ernet.in
Epidemic dropsy, a disease due to Argemone mexicana poisoning, is characterized by pathological accumulation of diluted lymph in body tissues and cavities. Recently, the largest epidemic of the disease in India affected Delhi and its neighboring states during the months of August-September 1998. Over 3000 persons fell ill, and more than 65 died in the state of Delhi alone. Two cases belonging to the same family died, out of the large number of cases admitted in this tertiary care teaching hospital situated in eastern part of Delhi. Autopsy findings of these two cases are presented and discussed here along with the review of toxicity due to this poisoning.
PMID: 11056284 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2: Postgrad Med J 1999 Nov;75(889):657-61
Epidemic dropsy in India.
Sharma BD, Malhotra S, Bhatia V, Rathee M.
Department of Medicine, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Epidemic dropsy is a clinical state resulting from use of edible oils adulterated with Argemone mexicana oil. Sanguinarine and dehydrosanguinarine are two major toxic alkaloids of Argemone oil, which cause widespread capillary dilatation, proliferation and increased capillary permeability. Leakage of the protein-rich plasma component into the extracellular compartment leads to the formation of oedema. The haemodynamic consequences of this vascular dilatation and permeability lead to a state of relative hypovolemia with a constant stimulus for fluid and salt conservation by the kidneys. Illness begins with gastroenteric symptoms followed by cutaneous erythema and pigmentation. Respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and orthopnoea progressing to frank right-sided congestive cardiac failure are seen. Mild to moderate anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, mild to moderate renal azotemia, retinal haemorrhages, and glaucoma are common manifestations. There is no specific therapy. Removal of the adulterated oil and symptomatic treatment of congestive cardiac failure and respiratory symptoms, along with administration of antioxidants and multivitamins, remain the mainstay of treatment. Selective cultivation of yellow mustard, strict enforcement of the Indian Food Adulteration Act, and exemplary punishment to unscrupulous traders are the main preventive measures.
Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial
PMID: 10621875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3: Phytother Res 1999 May;13(3):210-3
Effect of molluscicidal components of Abrus precatorius, Argemone mexicana and Nerium indicum on certain biochemical parameters of Lymnaea acuminata.
Singh S, Singh DK.
Department of Zoology, University of Gorakhpur, U.P., India.
Exposure to 40% and 80% of the 24 h LC50 of the molluscicidal component of Abrus precatorius (abrin and glycyrrhizin), Argemone mexicana (protopine and sanguinarine) and Nerium indicum (oleandrin) caused a significant decrease in the levels of protein, free amino acid, DNA and RNA in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata. Except for glycyrrhizin, all the above molluscicides caused a significant reduction in phospholipid levels and a simultaneous increase in the rate of lipid peroxidation in the nervous tissue of treated snails.
PMID: 10353159 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
4: Hindustan Antibiot Bull 1996 Feb-Nov;38(1-4):53-6
In vitro evaluation of medicinal plant extracts against Pestalotiopsis mangiferae.
Rai MK.
Department of Botany, Danielson College, Chhindwara, India.
A serious leaf-spot disease of Mangifera indica was noted during the last 10 years in Satpura plateau of India. On the basis of characteristic symptoms and cultural characters, the pathogen was identified as Pestalotiopsis mangiferae which is hitherto not reported from Satpura plateau of India. Screening of 17-medicinal plants against the test pathogen revealed 14 antimycotic whereas 3-plants, viz., Argemone mexicana, Caesalpinia bonducella, and Casia fistula acclerated the growth of the pathogen. The maximum activity was shown by Eucalyptus globulus (88%) and Catharanthus roseus (88%) followed by Ocimum sanctum (85.50%), Azadirachta indica (84.66%), Ricinus communis (75%) and Lawsonia inermis (74.33%) while the minimum activity was exhibited by Jatropha curcas (10%).
PMID: 9676046 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
5: Planta Med 1997 Aug;63(4):326-8
Isoquinoline alkaloids from Argemone mexicana reduce morphine withdrawal in guinea pig isolated ileum.
Capasso A, Piacente S, Pizza C, De Tommasi N, Jativa C, Sorrentino L.
School of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy.
The present study examined the effect of the MeOH extract, partially purified fraction (IV), and pure compounds from Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) on the morphine withdrawal in guinea pig isolated ileum. The MeOH extract, the partially purified fraction (IV), and the pure compounds isolated from A. mexicana significantly and in a concentration-dependent manner reduced the morphine withdrawal. Since the pure compounds were identified as protopine and allocryptopine, the observed effects could be related to these compounds. The results of the present study suggest that isoquinoline alkaloids may be potential agents in the treatment of drug abuse.
PMID: 9270378 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
6: Vet Hum Toxicol 1989 Dec;31(6):555-8
The toxicity of Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana L) seeds to rats.
Pahwa R, Chatterjee VC.
College of Pharmacy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Toxicolethal effects of seeds of mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana L) were investigated in to roof rat, (Rattus rattus L). The argemone seeds were fed at 100% of the diet up to the death or for a maximum of 10 days. Observed signs of poisoning were sedation, passiveness, sluggishness, feeble or no muscular jerks, abdominal contractions and increased defecation. Also black secretions from the eyes, corneal opacity, erection of hairs, and edema of the hind legs and submandibular space in were noted. Fourteen of 16 rats died. Significant reduction in the weights of the rats was observed. There were significant increases in blood glucose, BUN and SGOT. Major histopathological lesions were: hepatocytolysis, nuclear degeneration, pyknosis, cloudy swelling and dilatated sinusoids disturbing the lobulalar architecture of the liver; proliferated endothelium of glomeruli, hemorrhage in glomeruli and interstitium, and cloudy swelling of convoluted tubular epithelium in the kidney cortical region; erosion and atrophy of the upper stomach mucosa and calcification in the cardiac stomach, and; erosion and congestion of the upper mucosa of the duodenum. No change was noticed in the ileum.
PMID: 2617838 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
7: J Trop Med Hyg 1989 Dec;92(6):412-5
Electrophysiological studies of the eye, peripheral nerves and muscles in epidemic dropsy.
Sachdev HP, Sachdev MS, Verma L, Sood NN, Moonis M.
Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
The involvement of the neurological system in epidemic dropsy is controversial. During two outbreaks of epidemic dropsy, detailed neurological and ocular examinations and electrophysiological studies of peripheral nerves and muscles (motor nerve conduction velocities, sensory nerve latencies and electromyography) and eye (electroretinogram and visually evoked cortical responses) were therefore undertaken. Amongst the 239 subjects examined, burning sensation and tingling paraesthesias of feet were reported by 42.3 and 35.6%, respectively; but none had any objective evidence of central or peripheral nervous system involvement. Electrophysiological studies of peripheral nerves and muscles (10 cases with subjective manifestations) and eyes (24 eyes of 12 patients hospitalized for control of glaucoma) were essentially normal. It is concluded that Argemone mexicana or its toxins do not have any significant effect on the nervous system.
PMID: 2607575 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
8: Toxicology 1989 Oct 16;58(3):285-98
Biochemical toxicology of argemone oil. IV. Short-term oral feeding response in rats.
Upreti KK, Das M, Kumar A, Singh GB, Khanna SK.
Dyes and Food Adulterant Toxicology Laboratory, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
Consumption of edible oils contaminated with Argemone mexicana seed oil is known to cause various clinical manifestations. In the present study, the effect of dietary intake of argemone oil on histopathological changes, haematological indices and selected marker parameters of toxicity was investigated to observe the exact sites and mode of action of argemone oil in rats. Histopathological changes in the liver showed increased fibrosis, hyperplasia of bile ducts and congestion in a few portal tracts. Lungs of argemone oil-fed animals indicated congestion and thickening of interalveolar septa. Alveolar spaces were disorganised and irregular. Kidneys showed vascular and glomerular congestion and patchy tubular lesions. At 30 days only mild congestion was noted in the myocardium. Cardiac muscle fibres showed degenerative changes at 60 days which were more marked in the auricular wall. Haematological examination showed appearance of anaemia in experimental animals. Hepatic alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities were inhibited by 30, 29 and 29% after 30 days of argemone intake along with concomitant enhancement in serum by 27, 29 and 66%, respectively. Liver showed decrease in glutathione (32-63%) content along with significant stimulation of lipid peroxidation (49-105%) in argemone-intoxicated animals. These results suggest that liver, lungs, heart and kidneys are the target tissues of argemone oil toxicity and that membrane destruction may be a possible mode of action.
PMID: 2799830 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
9: Toxicol Lett 1988 Sep;42(3):301-8
Biochemical toxicology of argemone alkaloids. III. Effect on lipid peroxidation in different subcellular fractions of the liver.
Upreti KK, Das M, Khanna SK.
Dyes and Food Adulterant Toxicology Laboratory, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, India.
Consumption of edible oils contaminated with Argemone mexicana seed oil causes various toxic manifestations. In this investigation the in vivo effect of argemone oil on NADPH-dependent enzymatic and Fe2+-, Fe2+/ADP- or ascorbic acid-dependent non-enzymatic hepato-subcellular lipid peroxidation was studied. Parenteral administration of argemone oil (5 ml/kg body weight) daily for 3 days produced a significant increase in both non-enzymatic and NADPH-supported enzymatic lipid peroxidation in whole homogenate, mitochondria, and microsomes. Lipid peroxidation aided by various pro-oxidants, namely Fe2+, Fe2+/ADP and ascorbic acid also revealed a significant enhancement in the whole homogenate, mitochondria and microsomes of argemone oil-treated rats. Further, when compared with whole homogenate, the hepatic mitochondria and microsomes of either control or argemone oil-treated rats showed a 4- and 6-fold increase in non-enzymatic, and a 5- and 18-fold increase in NADPH-dependent enzymatic lipid peroxidation, respectively. Similarly, both mitochondrial and microsomal fractions showed a 5- and 7-fold increase in Fe2+-, and a 12- and 15-fold increase in either Fe2+/ADP- or ascorbic acid-aided lipid peroxidation, respectively. These results suggest that the hepatic microsomal as well as the mitochondrial membrane is vulnerable to the peroxidative attack of argemone oil and may be instrumental in leading to the hepatotoxicity symptoms noted in argemone poisoning victims.
PMID: 3176059 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
10: Jpn J Ophthalmol 1987;31(3):467-74
Optic disc vasculitis in epidemic dropsy.
Sachdev MS, Sood NN, Mohan M, Sachdev HP, Gupta SK.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
During an outbreak of epidemic dropsy in Delhi, 233 patients were studied. Retinal changes including venous dilatation and tortuosity, haemorrhages and disc oedema were observed. A clinical picture compatible with type I optic disc vasculitis was seen in 13 eyes and that of type II in 3 eyes. Fluorescein angiography was carried out in 23 randomly selected cases. Relevant angiographic findings included dilated and tortuous retinal veins, prominent vascular staining, blocked fluorescence, microaneurysms, disc oedema and peripapillary dye spillage. Presence of positive angiographic findings correlated well with the severity of the systemic disease, glaucoma, however, revealed no correlation. Papillophlebitis, a new ocular manifestation of Argemone mexicana oil toxicity, as also the fluorescein angiographic picture in epidemic dropsy is being reported for the first time in the literature.
PMID: 3430862 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
11: Experientia 1985 Jan 15;41(1):77-8
Sanguinarine: its potential as a liver toxic alkaloid present in the seeds of Argemone mexicana.
Dalvi RR.
The alkaloid sanguinarine reported to be responsible for several outbreaks of epidemic dropsy in the tropics was examined for its hepatotoxic potential in rats. The studies showed that a single i.p. dose (10 mg/kg) of sanguinarine not only increased the activity of SGPT and SGOT substantially but also caused a significant loss of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and benzphetamine N-demethylase activity. Furthermore, the treated rats exhibited considerable loss of body and liver weight, peritoneal edema and slightly enlarged livers with fibrinous material. Microscopic examination of the liver tissue showed progressive cellular degeneration and necrosis further substantiating that sanguinarine is a potential hepatotoxic alkaloid.
PMID: 3967743 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
12: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1985;79(4):510-2
Epidemic dropsy following transcutaneous absorption of Argemone mexicana oil.
Sood NN, Sachdev MS, Mohan M, Gupta SK, Sachdev HP.
Four cases manifesting features characteristic of epidemic dropsy following body massage with contaminated mustard oil are reported. A transcutaneous route of absorption for the toxin (sanguinarine) resulting in epidemic dropsy has not been documented previously in man. Oil used for body massage was found to be adulterated with Argemone mexicana oil, while hydrogenated vegetable fat used for cooking did not reveal any contamination. Diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by establishing the presence of sanguinarine in the urine and serum of all four cases.
PMID: 4082260 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
13: Aust Vet J 1980 Apr;56(4):187-9
Oedema disease in chickens caused by Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) seed.
Norton JH, O'Rourke PK.
Ground Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) seed produced growth depression, oedema and death when fed at 1% and 3% of a basal ration to day-old, layer strain, cockerel chickens. The mortality rate was increased by raising the sodium chloride content of the basal ration from 0.18% to 1.68%. Clinical signs consisted of subcutaneous oedema, a high pitched chirp and terminal gasping. Hydropericardium, oedema of the lungs, and subcutaneous oedema of the thorax, abdomen, wings, neck and throat were the major lesions. Foci of calcificaton were present in the ventricular myocardium of some chickens fed 3% A. mexicana.
PMID: 7436920 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
14: J Postgrad Med 1980 Jan;26(1):28-33
Inhibition of human pregnancy plasma diamine oxidase with alkaloids of Argemone mexicana--berberine and sanguinarine.
Vaidya AB, Rajagopalan TG, Kale AG, Levine RJ.
PMID: 6768879 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
15: J Am Oil Chem Soc 1975 Jun;52(6):171-3
New, unusual long chain fatty acid (argemonic acid) from Argemone Mexicana.
Rukmini C.
PMID: 1141635 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
16: J Assoc Physicians India 1975 Mar;23(3):205-8
Argemone mexicana poisoning in North India.
Kumar L, Chugh KS, Singhal PC, Sharma BK, Walia BN.
PMID: 1184546 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
17: Farmatsiia 1974 Mar-Apr;23(2):36-8
[Chemical study of the seeds of the poppy Argemone mexicana L. cultivated in the USSR and growing in Vietnam]
[Article in Russian]
Bui Ti I.
PMID: 4848258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ----------------------------------------------------------
Other links http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/library/poisonous/page27.htm http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/Poppya.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------
Is it safe?
-------------------- Cactus
|