Passiflora foetida 龍珠果

POISONOUS PARTS

Young leaves and immature fruits.^3,4

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Cyanogenic glycosides such as Tetraphyllin B and linamarin .³

• Mechanism

  Cyanogenic glycosides are converted into cyanide in the gut. Cyanide uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and inhibits ATP generation.⁵

• Poisoning Features

  There is no human poisoning case documented. Theoretically, if poisoning occurs, the clinical features could resemble those of cyanide poisoning.⁶

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. Activated charcoal therapy has been used for gastrointestinal decontamination in cyanide poisoning. Hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulphate have been used as antidotes.⁷

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Perennial herbaceous climbers, with axillary tendrils. Leaves simple, membranous; leaf blades 4.5–13 × 4–12 cm, 3-lobed, villous on both surfaces. Cymes only 1-flowered. Flowers white or pale purple, white patched, 2–3 cm in diameter. Bracts pinnately lobed, forming many filiform lobules. Corona lobes in 3–5 whorls. Stamens 5. Styles 3(–4). Berries 2–3 cm in diameter. Seeds about 5 mm long.⁸

MEDICINAL USES

Whole plant or fruits used in TCM: clear the lung to suppress cough, remove toxin and disperse swelling. Recommended dose: 9–15 g.²

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Linamarin can be detected by HPLC-RI and NMR.⁹