€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY***** Kavli G Midelfart K Volden G Krokan H Photochemical reactions of Heracleum laciniatum. Influence of dimethyl sulphoxide and corticosteroids. In: Br J Dermatol (1983 Jul) 109 Suppl 25:137-40 ISSN: 0007-0963 Phytophotodermatitis of Heracleum laciniatum is quite common in Tromso during the summer months. The clinical picture varies from mild to severe erythematous reactions with or without vesicles or bullae on the exposed parts of the body. Phototoxic reactions of Heracleum laciniatum are reported. The influences on phototoxic reactions by bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) and UV-A by treating the skin with a membrane labilizing agent, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), and a membrane stabilizing agent, the steroid desoximethasone, are evaluated. Registry Numbers: 298-81-7 (Methoxsalen) 382-67-2 (Desoximetasone) 484-20-8 (5-methoxypsoralen) 50-02-2 (Dexamethasone) 67-68-5 (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA***** Kavli G Volden G Raa J Accidental induction of photocontact allergy to Heracleum laciniatum. In: Acta Derm Venereol (1982) 62(5):435-8 ISSN: 0001-5555 Photocontact allergy to psoralens in Heracleum laciniatum occurred in two persons volunteering for investigations into phototoxicity of plant homogenates and purified psoralens. Photoallergy was noted following the fifth exposure in case 1, and the sixth in case 2. Testing with diluted solutions demonstrated allergy to sphondin, isobergapten and pimpinellin. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BURNS***** Lagey K Duinslaeger L Vanderkelen A Burns induced by plants. In: Burns (1995 Nov) 21(7):542-3 ISSN: 0305-4179 Plants of the family Umbelliferae are known to cause a phytophotodermatitis due to a phototoxic reaction caused by furocoumarin (psoralens) and simultaneous exposure to sunlight. We report four patients with partial skin thickness burns, induced by this phototoxic reaction. One occurred after contact with parsley (Apium petroselinum) and three others after contact with giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and simultaneous exposure to sunlight. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CONTACT DERMATITIS***** Kavli G Midelfart K Raa J Volden G Phototoxicity from furocoumarins (psoralens) of Heracleum laciniatum in a patient with vitiligo. Action spectrum studies on bergapten, pimpinellin, angelicin and sphondin. In: Contact Dermatitis (1983 Sep) 9(5):364-6 ISSN: 0105-1873 Investigations on light reactions in a patient with vitiligo are presented. The minimal erythema dose (MED) in the UVB area was approximately 1/3 of that in persons of skin type II. The application of furocoumarins (psoralens) increased light tolerance by 1 MED at 300-310 nm. Action spectrum studies with furocoumarins from Heracleum laciniatum showed the following order of potency: bergapten, pimpinellin, angelicin and sphondin. The efficacy was highest at 325- 350 nm, with maxima at 330-335 nm. Pimpinellin was recently found to be phototoxic, but an action spectrum of sphondin is reported for the first time. Registry Numbers: 131-12-4 (pimpinellin) 298-81-7 (Methoxsalen) 483-66-9 (sphondin) 484-20-8 (5-methoxypsoralen) 523-50-2 (angelicin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kavli G Volden G Midelfart K Krokan H Prytz JO Haugsbo S In vivo and in vitro phototoxicity of different parts of Heracleum laciniatum. In: Contact Dermatitis (1983 Jul) 9(4):269-73 ISSN: 0105-1873 Experimental phytophotodermatitis was produced using homogenates from different parts of Heracleum laciniatum and long-wave ultraviolet light. The homogenates of leaves and flowers produced strong phototoxic reactions, fruit slightly less. Stems were either non- phototoxic or only slightly phototoxic. The roots of young plants did not evoke photosensitivity reactions, whereas the roots of older plants were strongly phototoxic; even roots collected from the frozen ground in December elicited strong reactions. Abdominal and midback skin were more photosensitive than skin of the lateral aspects of the underarms and legs. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kavli G Raa J Johnson BE Volden G Haugsbo S Furocoumarins of Heracleum laciniatum: isolation, phototoxicity, absorption and action spectra studies. In: Contact Dermatitis (1983 Jul) 9(4):257-62 ISSN: 0105-1873 Isolation of the furocoumarins (psoralens) bergapten, isobergapten, sphondin, isopimpinellin and pimpinellin from the Umbilliferous plant Heracleum laciniatum was carried out by column chromatography, and the structure and absorption spectra for the 5 furocoumarins isolated are described. Photoepicutaneous testing showed the strongest phototoxic effects from bergapten, marked effects from pimpinellin, weak effects from sphondin and none from the others. These in vivo findings were confirmed by the in vitro Candida test. Action spectrum studies demonstrated peak photosensitivity in the range 330-335 nm, bergapten being more than twice as phototoxic as pimpinellin. Registry Numbers: 298-81-7 (Methoxsalen) 484-20-8 (5-methoxypsoralen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kavli G Midelfart GV Haugsbo S Prytz JO Phototoxicity of Heracleum laciniatum. Case reports and experimental studies. In: Contact Dermatitis (1983 Jan) 9(1):27-32 ISSN: 0105-1873 Phytophotodermatitis from Heracleum laciniatum is described in 2 typical cases. Experimental phytophotodermatitis was produced using homogenates from leaves of the plant and long-wave ultraviolet light. The homogenates of leaves produced strong phototoxic reactions. The minimal phototoxic erythema dose was determined to be lowest for abdominal and midback skin. The action spectrum for Heracleum laciniatum homogenates applied topically was found to be in the range 315-375 nm with peak sensitivity at 330-335 nm. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Camm E Buck HW Mitchell JC Phytophotodermatitis from Heracleum mantegazzianum. In: Contact Dermatitis (1976 Apr) 2(2):68-72 Five individuals developed striate bullous dermatitis two days after exposure on a clear day to Heracleum mantegazzianum, Umbelliferae (Parsnip) family. Photopatch testing confirmed phototoxicity from the plant. This and 28 other Heracleum species yield linear furanocoumarins. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Pira E Romano C Sulotto F Pavan I Monaco E Heracleum mantegazzianum growth phases and furocoumarin content. In: Contact Dermatitis (1989 Nov) 21(5):300-3 ISSN: 0105-1873 The observation of photocontact dermatitis from Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier et Levier in 2 gardeners at work prompted the analysis of furocoumarin content of stem, leaves and fruits of the plant during a period of 1 year. Their concentration was found to be maximal in fruit, intermediate in leaf, and minimal in stem. Psoralen was the most prevalent substance in the leaf and bergapten in the fruit. In the stem, in contrast, individual furocoumarins were found in lower but variable concentrations. 3 furocoumarin seasonal peaks were observed in the leaf: the maximal peak occurred in June, the intermediate in August, the minimal in November. This trend corresponds to 3 biological phases of the weed. Registry Numbers: 131-12-4 (pimpinellin) 298-81-7 (Methoxsalen) 482-27-9 (isopimpinellin) 484-20-8 (5-methoxypsoralen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***DERMATOSEN IN BERUF UND UMWELT. OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL** Ippen H [Phytophotodermatitis caused by plant trimming (edger's rash)] Phytophotodermatitis durch "Rasentrimmer" ("Strimmer Rash"). In: Derm Beruf Umwelt (1990 Nov-Dec) 38(6):190-2 ISSN: 0343-2432 (Published in German) The use of a trimmer for a lawn, which is covered with phototoxic plants such as Heracleum sphondylium and other Umbellifers, can lead to a phytophotodermatitis (trimmer's rash). An erythema of the light exposed skin, following a moderate hyperpigmentation, can cause a focal, vesicular lifting of the upper epidermis, whereby this toxic skin lesion appears similar to an allergic eczema. The best prevention of this harmless but bothersome reaction lies in the use of such an edger only in the evening hours. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** McCutcheon AR Ellis SM Hancock RE Towers GH Antifungal screening of medicinal plants of British Columbian native peoples. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1994 Dec) 44(3):157-69 ISSN: 0378-8741 One hundred methanolic plant extracts were screened for antifungal activity against 9 fungal species. Eighty-one were found to have some antifungal activity and 30 extracts showed activity against 4 or more of the fungi assayed. The extracts with the greatest fungal inhibition were prepared from Alnus rubra catkins, Artemisia ludoviciana aerial parts, Artemisia tridentata aerial parts, Geum macrophyllum roots, Mahonia aquifolium roots and Moneses uniflora aerial parts. In addition to these, extracts prepared from the following plants also exhibited antifungal activity against all 9 fungi: Asarum caudatum whole plant, Balsamorhiza sagittata roots, Empetrum nigrum branches, Fragaria chiloensis leaves, Gilia aggregata aerial parts and roots, Glehnia littoralis roots, Heracleum lanatum roots, Heuchera cylindrica roots and Rhus glabra branches. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHOTO-DERMATOLOGY***** Kavli G Krokan H Myrnes B Volden G High pressure liquid chromatographic separation of furocoumarins in Heracleum laciniatum. In: Photodermatol (1984 Apr) 1(2):85-6 ISSN: 0108-9684 Furocoumarins from chloroform extraction of Heracleum laciniatum were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with microparticulate silica gel column investigating different concentrations of acetonitrile and water, acetonitrile and methanol and acetonitrile, methanol and water for mobile phase. With a mixture of 42:43:15 of the latter for mobile phase optimal separation was obtained of the 6 furocoumarins from the plant. Removal of lipid fractions of plant extractions with hexane is recommended to avoid damage to the HPLC column. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Patnaik GK Banaudha KK Khan KA Shoeb A Dhawan BN Spasmolytic activity of angelicin: a coumarin from Heracleum thomsoni. In: Planta Med (1987 Dec) 53(6):517-20 ISSN: 0032-0943 [No Abstract Available] Registry Numbers: 523-50-2 (angelicin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***SCHWEIZERISCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT. JOURNAL SUISSE DE MEDECINE** Jaspersen-Schib R Theus L Guirguis-Oeschger M Gossweiler B Meier-Abt PJ [Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center] Wichtige Pflanzenvergiftungen in der Schweiz 1966-1994. Eine Fallanalyse aus dem Schweizerischen Toxikologischen Informationszentrum (STIZ). In: Schweiz Med Wochenschr (1996 Jun 22) 126(25):1085-98 ISSN: 0036-7672 (Published in German) AIM: To analyze the types, frequency and severity of plant poisonings in Switzerland over 29 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of severe poisonings with toxic plants reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC). Assessment of the causality, severity of symptoms and the types of plants involved. RESULTS: During the period under review the STIC registered 24 950 cases of contact with or ingestion of toxic plant material. In 99.4% of all cases the clinical course was either unknown, asymptomatic or associated with only minor symptoms (no hospitalization). Severe plant poisonings occurred in 152 cases. Detailed analysis was possible in 135 cases (23 children, 112 adults) including 5 lethal cases (all adults). The 24 plants involved produced the following severe symptoms: Atropa belladonna (42 cases): anticholinergic syndrome (42), acute psychosis (33), convulsions (2), coma (2). Heracleum mantegazzianum (18): severe photodermatitis (18). Datura stramonium (17): anticholinergic syndrome (17), psychosis (12), coma (2). Dieffenbachia (11): severe stomatitis (8), corneal lesions (3). Colchicum autumnala (10): diarrhea (10), liver necrosis (9), fatal multiorgan failure (2). Veratrum album (8): bradycardia ( < or = 40/min) (6), shock (5). Aconitum napellus (4): tachyarrhythmia (2), AV-block II/III (2). Aesculus hippocastanum (3): allergy (3), anaphylactic shock (2). Hyoscyamus niger (3): anticholinergic syndrome (3). Ricinus communis (3): diarrhea (3), toxic megacolon (1). Oenanthe crocata (2): convulsions (1), lethal coma (1). Taxus baccata (2): tachyarrhythmia (1), fatal asystole (1). Further single cases with severe poisonings were observed with Arum maculatum, Asarum europaeum, Chrysanthemum vulgare, Cyclamen persicum, Datura suaveolens, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Laburnum anagyroides, Lycopodium, Narcissus pseudonarcissus (lethal aspiration), Nerium oleander, Senecio vulgaris and Vicia faba. CONCLUSIONS: Potential and real intoxications with plant materials occurred in 7.2% of all cases registered at the STIC. However, among all plant cases only 0.6% were severe intoxications requiring hospitalization. Although severe plant intoxications are rare events, a small number of specific plants appear to be mainly responsible for continued serious plant poisoning in Switzerland. The present study has identified the plants with the highest toxicological risks and provides a data base for more rational prevention, diagnosis and treatment of plant poisoning cases in the future. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€