Atractylis gummifera-L (glue thistle, bird-line thistle) is a plant that causes toxicity around the Mediterranean. The mortality rate is high, especially if treatment is delayed.
Distribution: North Africa and southern Europe in dry, arid regions
Toxins: atractyloside, carboxyatractyloside (diterpenoids)
Mechanism of action: mitochondrial toxin with block of ADP-ATP conversion (oxidative phosphorylation)
Routes of exposure: ingestion, topical absorption
Exposures:
(1) traditional medicine
(2) accidental ingestion
(3) exposure to root sap
Clinical presentation:
(1) nausea and vomiting
(2) epigastric and abdominal pain
(3) diarrhea
(4) anxiety
(5) headache
(6) convulsions
Key toxicity: panlobular hepatocellular necrosis
Complications:
(1) coma
(2) renal failure
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Specialty: Toxicology
