Toxicity of the genus Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia: Uses, abuses and toxic constituents: A review

“…This enzyme was assumed " ... to explain most of the poisonous properties attributed ... " to those plants (Walter and Khanna, 1972). Proteins were also isolated by other workers who have shown that trypsin digestion reduces or eliminates the toxic effects of Dieffenbachia extracts (Brodersen et al, 1979;Fochtman et al, 1969;Pohl, 1964;Occhioni and Rizzini, 1958;Rizzini and Occhioni, 1957). On the other hand, analyses of the active fraction of stem juice has shown that it contains no nitrogen, and incubation with trypsin or chymotrypsin did not hinder the usual effects (Ladeira et al, 1975;Pohl, 1955).…”

“…On a more positive note, preparations containing Dieffenbachia were used to treat gout, dropsy, sexual impotence, and frigidity (Fochtman et al, 1969). "Pieces of [its] Stalk [were] cut, and put into Baths and Fomentations for Hydropick Legs and are thought very effectual" (Sloane, 1707).…”

“…In Germany during World War II, it was" ... discovered that the juice of ... Caladium seguinum [Dieffenbachia seguine] , swallowed or injected, produces ... after a certain time, particularly in male animals, but also in females, a lasting sterility" (International Military Tribunal, Nuernberg, 1946 No less cruel and equally reprehensible was the use of Dieffenbachia to punish Jamaican slaves; their mouths were rubbed with cut stalks (Fochtman et al, 1969 ). In an ironic twist, a criminal rubbed Dieffenbachia in the mouth of a witness who could not testify as a result, and this led to acquittal for the accused (Barnes and Fox, 1955).…”

“…More careful investigations suggested that calcium oxalate is probably not the major reason forthe toxicity and pointed to a "proteinaceous" agent (Pohl, 1964). Subsequent investigations have implicated the calcium oxalate crystals (perhaps merely as piercing agents), a proteolytic enzyme (named dumbcain), a cyanogenic glycoside, a substance which causes contraction of smooth muscles (Fochtman et al, 1969;Ladeira et al, 1975;Walter, 1967; for reviews, see : Arnold, 1978;Brodersen et al, 1979;Everist, 1962;Mitchell and Roor, 1979;Ricciuti, 1978;Tamplon, 1977), asparagine (Arena, 1974), and protoaenomoine which causes swelling of the pharynx and larynx (Morton, 1971). However, the exact cause for Dieffenbachia toxicity remains unknown and even pharmacological studies (Kubala and Anton, 1977) have not provided clarification.…”

“…They grow well indoors and in some areas outdoors. Unfortunately, however, Dieffenbachia may well be the most toxic genus in the Araceae, a family known for its poisonous plants (Fochtman et al, 1969;Pam el, 1911 ). As a result many children (Morton, 1957(Morton, , 1971, adults (O'Leary and Hyattsville, 1964), and pets are poisoned by Dieffenbachia every year (Table 1 ).…”