Acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract in Sprague-Dawley rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Coriolus versicolor, which is known as Yun Zhi, is one of the commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs. Recent studies have demonstrated its antitumor activities on cancer cells which led to its widespread use in cancer patient. However, little toxicological information is available regarding its safety. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract after acute and subchronic administration in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In acute toxicity study, Coriolus versicolor water extract was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (6 males, 6 females) at single doses of varying concentrations 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity study, the extract was administered orally at doses of 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days to male and female SD rats respectively. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined throughout the experimental period. Haematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights and histopathological were evaluated at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: There were no mortality and signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. In the single dose acute toxicity and repeated dose 28-day subchronic toxicity studies, there were no significant difference in body weight, relative organ weight, haematological parameters, clinical chemistry, gross pathology and histopathology between treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coriolus versicolor water extract did not cause remarkable adverse effect in SD rats. The oral lethal dose of Coriolus versicolor water extract is more than 5000 mg/kg and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the extract for both male and female rats is 5000 mg/kg per day for 28 days.

Poisonings resulting from the ingestion of magic mushrooms in Kraków.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also called "magic mushrooms", are becoming a more frequent cause of abuse, especially among young people, who use them experimentally for recreational purposes. In the autumn of 2004, several people were admitted to and observed in the Department of Clinical Toxicology in Krakòw after they had used magic mushrooms to experience hallucinatory sensations. Three of them had visual hallucinations, and the fourth experienced both visual and auditory hallucinations followed by the exogenous psychosis after use of Psilocybe semilanceata. One person was hospitalised for several days while the others were observed in the emergency department. The main source of information for patients about hallucinogenic mushrooms was the internet. In the cases discussed the mushroom poisoning caused no organ damage and the symptoms disappeared in about 6 hours.

[Hallucinogenic psilocybine containing mushrooms. Toxins contained in Danish wild mushrooms]. / Hallucinogene psilocybinholdige svampe. Dansk vildtvoksende rusgift.

A number of the wild Danish mushrooms contain the hallucinogenic agent psilocybin which resembles LSD in many ways. The commonest of these are the "liberty cap" or "magic mushrooms" (Psilocybe semilanceata). On the basis of experience from USA and western Europa, increase in employment of this mushrooms as a hallucinogenic intoxicant may be anticipated in Denmark. The history, epidemiology, botany and pharmacology of the mushroom are reviewed. Clinical pictures and treatment are described for: 1) Acute poisoning with psilocybin-containing fungi, 2) Late sequelae of consumption of psilocybin-containing fungi and 3) Poisoning with more poisonous fungi on account of incorrect identification. General practitioners, duty roster doctors, doctors in casualty departments and in acute psychiatric departments should be aware of these problems. Intoxication with psilocybin may be confused with panic anxiety or euphoria in persons with mydriasis and other sympathomimetic symptoms. The possibility of more serious mushroom poisoning on account of incorrect identification should be borne in mind.

The problem of psilocybin mushroom abuse.

1 We have reviewed the clinical features and management of 44 consecutive patients presenting to hospital over a 5 week period during an outbreak of ingestion of psilocybin containing mushrooms. 2 Patients presented to hospital usually because of dysphoric effects an average of 3.8 h after ingesting mushrooms. 3 Mydriasis was present in 40 patients but fewer than half showed other sympathomimetic features--tachycardia, hypertension or hyperreflexia. 4 Twenty-three patients experienced nausea and vomiting. 5 Distortions of perception chiefly visual were frequent as were paraesthesiae and feelings of depersonalization. 6 The effects of the mushrooms were short-lived and had worn off within 12 h in all but one patient. 7 Inducing emesis did not appear to hasten recovery from the effects of the mushrooms.