Calotropis gigantea 牛角瓜

POISONOUS PARTS

Whole plant.²

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Cardiac glycosides such as calotropin, calatoxin and uscharin.^1–3

• Mechanism

  The latex irritates mucous membranes and skin. As the plant contains cardiac glycosides, digitalis-like effects may occur if ingested.¹

• Poisoning Features

  Skin contact: irritant contact dermatitis. Ingestion: patient may present with digitalis-like toxicity.¹

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. Multiple-dose activated charcoal therapy has been used for gastrointestinal decontamination in cardiac glycoside poisoning, and digoxin-specific antibody has been used as an antidote.^4,5

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, up to 5 m tall, with white latex. Stems yellowish-white. Leaves opposite; leaf blades 7–30 × 3–15 cm, base cordate. Cymes umbel-like; peduncles 5–12 cm long, pedicels 2–5 cm long. Corolla usually lilac, 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, lobes 1–1.5 × 0.6–1 cm; corona shorter than gynostegium. Follicles 5–10 × 2.5–4 cm, incurved at two ends. Seeds 5–7 × 3–4 mm, with coma.⁶

MEDICINAL USES

Leaves used in TCM: dispel phlegm, suppress cough and reduce wheezing. Recommended dose: 1–3 g.²

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Calatoxin and uscharin can be detected by LC-MS/MS.⁷