P.3.c.052 Fatal poisonings with phenothiazine-derivatives in the forensic toxicology practice: analysis of 143 cases

Abstract

A vast majority of the Mediterranean countries, including Greece, contain plants that are known for their hallucinogenic and other properties. The plant Phalaris aquatica is a centenarian moss that grows in most Mediterranean countries. It is also known by other names such as hardingrass and Phalaris tuberosa, and causes an intoxication called “canary grass intoxication.” Phalaris aquatica contains four groups of alkaloids: tryptamines, gramines, tyramines, and β-carbolines. 5-MeO-DMT is a hallucinogenic chemical compound that belongs to methylated indolealkylamines. It causes psychoactive, biochemical, and behavioral changes, agitation, visual and hearing impairments, as well as distortion of time perception. 5-MeO-DMT is demethylated by the enzyme CYP2D6 in an also-active metabolite, bufotenine. Ayahuasca means “the climate of souls” and is a hallucinogenic concoction of various powerful psychotropic plants. It contains a mixture of β-carbolines, especially harmaline and DMT. Peganum harmala belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae, and it is often referred to as “Syrian rue.” Two plants that thrive in Brazil, Anadenanthera colubrina and Anadenanthera peregrina, are also known for their hallucinogenic effects. The alkaloids atropine and scopolamine are competitive antagonists of muscarinic receptors of acetylcholine. Scopolamine is the most effective prophylactic agent used for preventing nausea of the travelers, whereas atropine is used in anesthesia because of its effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The plant Mandragora officinarum belongs to the family Solanaceae and is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region (including Greece). It was used for soothing, analgesic, anesthetic and aphrodisiac purposes, but also for its hallucinogenic properties as a medication. The Atropa belladonna is classified in the family Solanaceae and grows in uncultivated barren lands. It is endemic in areas of the Mediterranean countries (including Greece). The plant is also known as “deadly nightshade.” All parts of the plant contain the alkaloids atropine, hyoscine, and scopolamine, making it poisonous and hallucinogenic. Hyoscyamus niger belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is also known as “henbane,” and the inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and antiparkinsonian properties of the plant are under investigation. Datura is a genre of plants that belongs to the family Solanaceae. The most important species of Datura are Datura innoxia, Datura metel, Datura discolor, and Datura stramonium, also known as “Jimson weed” and “zombie’s cucumber.”