Grayanotoxins

Grayanotoxins are a group of closely related toxins found in rhododendrons and other plants of the family Ericaceae. They can affect the sodium channels in cell membranes.

History

The term "grayanotoxin" was coined in the 1950s, after the American botanist Asa Gray. Grayanotoxins were first isolated and identified in the 1930s.

Sources

Grayanotoxins are found in the leaves, flowers, and nectar of some species of the plant family Ericaceae, including Rhododendron, Pieris, Agarista, Leucothoe, Kalmia, Phyllodoce, Menziesia, Ledum, and Zenobia.

Effects

Grayanotoxins bind to sodium channels in cell membranes, preventing the normal flow of sodium ions and causing a range of symptoms. These can include nausea, vomiting, salivation, headache, blurred vision, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and death.

Treatment

Treatment for grayanotoxin poisoning is primarily supportive, with intravenous fluids and medications to control symptoms. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

See also

• Rhododendron
• Ericaceae
• Sodium channel

Grayanotoxins Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski