C. Alagesaboopathi / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(10),5039-5042 Research Article Available online through ISSN: 0974-6943 http://jprsolutions.info Poisonous of the of Tamilnadu, Southern

C. Alagesaboopathi Department of Botany, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Salem – 636007, Tamilnadu, India Received on:12-06-2012; Revised on: 17-07-2012; Accepted on:26-08-2012

ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out in the Salem district of Tamilnadu, India, to document the poisonous plants. A total of 33 belonging to 28 genera and 20 families have been reported. Information on poisonous plants is significant as some of them are used in medication. The poisonous activities due to toxic substances namely, tannins, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, amines, proteins, amino acids, mycotoxins, picrotoxins, resins, chelating poisons, etc. a record of 33 poisonous plants occurring on the Salem district of Tamilnadu has been presented. The knowledge on the poisonous species has been collected from the tribals, village dwellers, the herbal medicine practitioners and other traditional healers during ethnomedicinal field survey. The poisonous plant species are arranged in alphabetical order. Each plant is followed by its family, vernacular name (Tamil), poisonous plant part(s) and poisonous symptoms. The investigation recommends that tribals and common people are not only knowing of such poisonous plants and their detrimental causes, but also utilize them judiciously for manage of mosquitoes, bugs, ticks, grasshoppers, moth, insect-pests and several other hurtful organisms.

Key words: Poisonous plants, Ethnomedicine, Malayali, Salem, Tamilnadu.

INTRODUCTION Literally thousands of plants contain various quantities of poisonous al., 2006; Alagesaboopathi, 2009; Sankaranarayanan, et al., 2010; Parthipan substances. Poisonous plants are a little group of plants that yield et al., 2011; Umapriya et al., 2011; Francis Xavier et al., 2011; Poongodi et phytoconstituents, which exert harmful causes or effect death either presently al., 2011). or by purpose of cumulative activity of the toxic activity due to presence of known or unknown phytochemical principles in it and not by mechanical MATERIALS AND METHODS activity (Chopra et al., 1949). The poisonous quality of complete plant or Ethnomedicinal field trips were conducted in various villages, tribal areas any plant part my be due to production of phytotoxic substances namely, and forest areas of Salem district of Tamilnadu, during June 2011 to July glycosides, phenolic toxicants, resins, tannins, saponins, proteins, amino 2012. A great number of tribal and medicine men of the villages knew about acids, amines, mycotoxins, alkaloids, carbohydrates, chealating poisons, the poisonous plants. During the surveys individual interviews were metals, ketones, essential oil, picrotoxins toxalbumins, etc. Several of which conducted with the tribals, village dwellers, the herbal practitioners and are detrimental to man and animal life, at least under particular conditions. other traditional healers. Knowledge were recorded on the plants and plant Salem is one of the important districts of Tamilnadu. It lies between parts, which they utilize for poisoning arrow heads, driving away the bugs 11o14'46'' and 12o53'30'' North latitude and between 77o32'52'' to 78o53'05'' and insects from hut and killing vermin, worms and body lice. Each of the East longitude. The district is mountainous in character Enumerated below plant material was assigned field book number and documented as to family, are some important Hills. They are Shevaroy Hills, Kanjamalai Hills, scientific name, vernacular name (Tamil) and poisonous parts. Plant species Suriyamalai, Kumaragiri Hills, Bodamalai, Arunoothmalai, Palamalai, collected were identified with the help of standard floras (Hooker, 1884; Uthumalai and Kalvarayan Hills. The district is well known for its unique Gamble, 1936; Matthew, 1983; Henry et al., 1987). The knowledge about assemblage of vegetation riches. The main tribes are Malayali. the poisonous properties of chosen plant species was collected from the literatures on poisonous and dangerous plants by O’Leary, 1964; Lampe, They are some poisonous plants that occur in this district. People of this 1974 and Chopra et al., 1984. All the collected specimens are deposited in district where not able to identify that which plants are poisonous. the herbarium of Botany Department, Government Arts College Particularly women and children’s are prone to be victimized by eating (Autonomous), Salem, Tamilnadu for further reference. poisonous plants accidently. The poisonous plant parts may be root, leaves, stem, latex, stem bark, fruit and seed or even whole plant (Chopra, 1949; Enumeration Rakhi et al., 2010; Chopra et al., 1965; Katewa et al., 2008; Jangid and The plants are arranged alphabetically, each by its scientific name, followed Sharma, 2011). Sometimes single plant species possesses both activities as by family name, vernacular name (Tamil) and poisonous part(s) (Fig. 1-8). poisonous and therapeutic value. The poisonous plants of India have been The medicinal uses are descriped with details of part(s) used and records on descriped by many authors (Chopra et al., 1984; Jain, 1991; Jain, 1999; poisonous symptoms. Cheze, et al., 2000; Furler et al., 2000; Caius, 2003; Agra et al., 2007; Katewa et al., 2008; Jangid and Sharma, 2011). A lot of study has been done RESULTS AND DISCUSSION on the vegetaion of Tamilnadu and ethnomedicinal uses of plants but no The present paper deals with 33 poisonous plant species belonging to work has been done particularly on poisonous plants of Tamilnadu (Banerjee twenty various families. Some are fruit yielding, some are medicinally and Era Banerjee, 1986; Senthilkumar and Krishnamurthy, 1993; Udayan et significant though they are poisonous. List of the plant species with their scientific name, family, vernacular name (Tamil) and uses and toxic symptoms *Corresponding author. are given in Table 1. The poisonous parts of great number of plant species C. Alagesaboopathi were latex, seeds and root. Besides these, poisonous parts of some plants Department of Botany, were leaves, flowers, fruits and root bark, tuber, stem bark and sometimes Government Arts College (Autonomous), entire plant also. Some plants effects poisoning to both human beings as Salem – 636007, Tamilnadu, India Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 10.October 2012 5039-5042 C. Alagesaboopathi / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(10),5039-5042 Table 1: Uses and Poisonous symptoms of plants of the Salem district of Tamilnadu.

S.No. Scientific name Family Vernacular Name Uses and poisonous symptoms

1. Abrus precatorius Linn. Papilionaceae Kundumani Seeds is poisonous causing vomiting, cardiac poison, paralysis, gastroenteritis with purging and temperature fluctuation followed by death. Seeds are eaten by livestock, it causes vomiting, severe diarrhoea and weakness. 2. Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang. Alangiaceae Alangimaram Root bark decoction given internally in minute doses causes depresses heart; in large quantities produces unusual respiration. 3. Argemone mexicana Linn. Papaveraceae Pirammathandu Fruits and seeds are narcotic. Fruits and seeds consumption in higher amount causes poisoning. If consumed by animals causes diarrhoea. 4. Butea monosperma (Lam) Taub. Papilionaceae Porasu Seed decoction is used as fish poison. 5. Calotropis gigantea R.Br. Asclepiadaceae Yerukku Latex is given internally in fatal; The latex is injurious to eyes, causing blindness. It is used as fish poison. 6. Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold Ponnarali Seeds is highly poisonous; used for suicidal purposes. Seeds are used to poison and kill enemy’s animals. Intake of seeds cause vomiting, burning and numbing sensation in mouth and throat. 7. Catharanthus roseus (L.) Don Apocynaceae Nithyakalyaani The leaves and root decoction is considered poisonous. The other parts are also poisonous when consumed in higher doses. 8. Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb) Euphorbiaceae Oduvan Leaves is extremely poisonous; used for suicidal and homicidal purposes. It is also used as Benth.ex.Hook.f cattle and fish poison.

9. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Cuscutaceae Sadathari Plant extract causes abortion and vomiting. Villagers and tribals mix the plant with fodder to kill enemy’s cattle. 10. Datura metel Linn Solanaceae Oomathai Entire plant is poisonous. Fruits and seeds are toxic and used for committing offences. The leaves, fruits and seeds extract causes giddiness, fatal poisoning, dryness of throat, voice is unrecognizable and leads to unconsciousness. 11. Euphorbia antiquorum Linn. Euphorbiaceae Sadhurakkalli Latex is acrid causes dermatitis. The latex is injurious to eyes. 12. Euphorbia hirta Linn. Euphorbiaceae Ammanpacharisi The latex is injurious to eyes 13. Euphorbia nivulia Buch-Ham. Euphorbiaceae Elaikkalli Intake of latex is fatal; The latex is injurious to eyes, causes blindness. 14. Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Euphorbiaceae Palperukimaram Intake of latex is vomiting and purgation of bowels accompanied by delirium. The latex is irritant to tender skin. 15. Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. Euphorbiaceae Thirukkalli Latex is poisonous, causes dermatitis. Intake of latex is fatal; injurious to eyes, causing blindness. Root decoction is used as abortifacient. 16. Gloriosa superba Linn. Colchicaceae Kalappaikkilangu Tuber decoction mixed with sugar is used as abortifacient. Intake of the tuber is vomiting, respiratory poison and fatal. 17. Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch Ulmaceae Aavimaram Stem bark extract is used by villagers as fish poison. 18. Jatropha curcas Linn Euphorbiaceae Kattamanakku Latex is injurious to eyes. Leaves and seeds are purgative. If consumed by livestock or human beings particularly children, sense of burning in stomach and vomiting. 19. Jatropha gossypifolia Linn Euphorbiaceae Aatalai Leaves and seeds are potent purgative and poisonous. Latex is injuries to eyes, causes blindness. If consumed by cattle, causes severe vomiting followed by death. 20. Lantana camara Linn. Verbenaceae Unnichedi Eaten of animals causes severe injurious to liver, loss of appetite, weakness, failure of blood circulation and death. 21. Melia azedarach Linn. Meliaceae Malaivembu Leaves is poisonous, used for insecticide. It causes nausea, irritation and degeneration of the kidney and liver. 22. Momordica charantia Linn Cucurbitaceae Paaharkaai Plant juice causes diarrhoea, cathartic and vomiting. 23. Moringa oleifera Lam Moringaceae Murungakai maram Root bark decoction causes skin inflammation and skin itching. 24. Mucuna pruriens (Linn) DC Fabaceae Poonaikaali Pods hairs and flowers causes irritation and blindness if in the eyes. 25. oleander Linn. Apocynaceae Sevvarali Root and root bark are poisonous, causes cardiac poison, used for criminal and suicidal purposes. Seeds are used to poison and kill enemy’s cattle. 26. Oxalis corniculata Linn. Oxalidaceae Puliyarai Leaves are poisonous causes removal of calcium ions in the serum by precipitation immediate death as a effect of extensive renal injure. 27. Parthenium hysterophors Linn Asteraceae Parthenium Whole plant is poisonous. Leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds causes allergic dermatitis and eczema on contact. The plant when eaten by animals causes diarrhoea and death. 28. Pedilanthus tithymaloides.(L.) Poir Euphorbiaceae Kannaadikkalli Latex and root is poisonous causes vomiting, skin inflammation and skin itching. The latex is injurious to eyes. 29. Plumbago zeylanica Linn Plumbaginaceae Chithiramoolam Root decoction causes severe skin inflammation, skin itching and gastrointestinal poison. Root paste applied externally to treat various skin disorders. 30. Plumeria rubra Linn. Apocynaceae Malaiyarali Milky latex is poisonous, causes skin irritation. 31. Punica granatum Linn. Punicaceae Maathulai Stem bark extract causes dimness of vision, headache, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhoea and weakness followed by paralaysis of respiratory system. 32. Ricinus communis Linn. Euphorbiaceae Aamanaku Larger quantities of seed oil is poisonous causes fatal, diarrhoea, weakness of body and slow irregular pulse, kidney and liver damage, abdominal pain, allergic reaction of large sensitivity and vomiting in little amount treat constipation. The young leaves when eaten by goat’s causes severe diarrhoea followed by death. 33. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn Loganiaceae Yettikai Leaves, stem bark, fruits and dried ripe seeds are poisonous causing spinal poison, severe vomiting, slow irregular pulse followed by death.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 10.October 2012 5039-5042 C. Alagesaboopathi / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(10),5039-5042

Fig. – 1 : Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Fig. 4 – Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.

Fig. 2 - Parthenium hysterophors Linn. Fig. 5 - Jatropha curcas Linn.

Fig. – 3 : Clesitanthus collinus (Roxb) Benth.ex.Hook.f. Fig. 6 - Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. well as cattle population while some causing poisoning to human being of the total poisoning cases in , India. These observations intimate only. The poisonous quality of plant or plant part depends essentially on that various poisonous plants are present in the Salem district which is the amount consumed. In little amount, plant shows their medicinal responsible for suicide or poisoning cases. It has been observed that some usefulness while in highest quantity, shows their poisonous causes. poisonous plants such as Catharanthus roseus, Cascabela thevetia, Nerium oleander, Ricinus communis, Parthenium hysterophors, Moringa oleifera Alike observations have been made by some researchers, Apollo et al., and Lantana camara are commonly occurring throughout the district and (2006) have reported the eco-consciousness of the people towards poisonous the residents are unaware of their toxic potentialities. and injurious plants grown in court yard. Gaillard et al. (2004) reported presence of odollam commonly in Kerala state. However it is The purpose of the wild poisonous plants for their economic and responsible for 50 percentage of the plant poisoning cases and 10 percentage toxicological value cannot be over rated. The investigation on the poisonous

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 10.October 2012 5039-5042 C. Alagesaboopathi / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(10),5039-5042 8. Chopra, R.N., Badhwar, R.L., Ghosh, S. 1949. Poisonous plants of India. Vol. I. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. 9. Chopra, R.N., Badhwar, R.L., Ghosh, S. 1965. Leguminosae, In:Kurup, C.R.R. (Ed.). Poisonous plants of India Vol-I. Indian Council of Agriculatural Research, New Delhi. 10. Francis Xavier, T., Freeda Rose, A., Dhivyaa, M. 2011. Ethnomedicinal survey of Malayali tribes in of of Tamilnadu, India. Indian J Traditional Knowledge. 10(3):559-562. 11. Furler, M., Demuth, D., Atthaus, F.R., Nageli, H. 2000. Computer supported poisonous plant information system for veterinary medicine. Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde. 142:323-331. 12. Gaillard, Y., Krishnamoorthy A, Bevalot F. 2004. Cerbera odollam : a ‘Suicide tree’ and cause of death in the State of Kerala, India. Fig. 7 - Nerium oleander Linn. 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Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 10.October 2012 5039-5042