| Abstract (croatian) | Wild garlic, Allium ursinum L., has medicina} and beneficial health properties,
with the long tradition of use. Nowadays, this plant is often advertised
as phytopharmaceutical, having an atheroprotective effect in atherosclerosis,
benefits for many other health conditions and use in body detoxification, in so
called, spring detox cleanse. Due to the morphological and habit similarities, it
can be easily mistaken with the poisonous meadow saffron, Colchichum autumnale
L., which may be fatal. Meadow saffron contains poisonous alkaloid -
colchicine, present in all plant parts but despite having the FDA approval as a
therapeutic agent, difference between therapeutic and toxic dose is extremely
low. Lethal events were documented and occurred when plant was used as
medication as well. Leaves from those two plants, look-alike in the early stages
of growth, hence caution is always advised and consultation with an experienced
wild plant-pickers as well, if picking on your own. There is no antidote,
techniques of extracorporeal elimination are not applicable. Therefore, rescuing
is limited to supportive and symptomatic treatment by medical staff. Acute
colchicine poisoning is suspected when patient, after the wild plant meal, develops
symptoms of gastroenterocolitis. It is extremely important to give the first
aid in the early symptoms of poisoning, followed by the intensive care unit monitoring,
with the aim to avoid fatal poisoning event. Hepatic and renal
impairment with the use of some drugs, are decreasing the chance of improvement
in poisoned patient. In poisoning prevention, important role is on all
healthcare workers, including pharmacist and medical biochemists, with their
focus on population education, medical treatment and laboratory diagnostics. |
