Black henbane and its toxicity – a descriptive review
Authors
Anahita Alizadeh
Pediatrician- Fellowship of clinical Toxicology Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, I. R. Iran
Mohammad Moshiri
Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, I. R. Iran
Javad Alizadeh
Mechanical Engineer, Hydro mechanical designer BS, Department of Dam and hydropower plant Hydromechanics of Tooss Ab Company, Mashhad, I. R. Iran
Mahdi Balali-Mood
Medical Toxicology Research Centre, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I. R. Iran
Black henbane (BH) or Hyoscyamus niger, has been used as a medicine since last centuries and has been described in all traditional medicines. It applies as a herbal medicine, but may induce intoxication accidentally or intentionally. All part of BH including leaves, seeds and roots contain some alkaloids such as Hyoscyamine, Atropine, Tropane and Scopolamine. BH has pharmacological effects like bronchodilating, antisecretory, urinary bladder relaxant, spasmolytic, hypnotic, hallucinogenic, pupil dilating, sedative and anti-diarrheal properties. Clinical manifestations of acute BH poisoning are very wide which include mydriasis, tachycardia, arrhythmia, agitation, convulsion and coma, dry mouth, thirst, slurred speech, difficulty speaking, dysphagia, warm flushed skin, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision and photophobia, urinary retention, distension of the bladder, drowsiness, hyper reflexia, auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, delirium, aggressiveness, and combative behavior. The main treatment of BH intoxicated patients is supportive therapies including gastric emptying (not by Ipecac), administration of activated charcoal and benzodiazepines. Health care providers and physicians particularly emergency physicians and clinical toxicologists should know the nature, medical uses, clinical features, diagnosis and management of BH poisoning.
Key Words: Black henbane, Hyoscyamus niger, Anticholinergic, Benzodiazepine, Poisoning, Physostigmine, Atropine, Hyoscyamine
Author Biography
Mohammad Moshiri, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, I. R. Iran
Health insurance research office, Armed forces insurance organization of Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran (Mashhad branch)
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