Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The mad honey poisonings commonly seem in our country. The source of the toxin in mad honey is Rhododendron species plants. Grayanotoxin-III type toxin is commonly found in these plants. Clinical effects of this toxin are bradycardia, atrioventricular block, asystole, hypotension and symptoms such as salivation. In this study; different doses of grayanotoxin-III were examined to rat intravenously (i.v) and the effect of grayanotoxin on cardiovascular system was investigated.
METHODS
This study was performed on 42 Wistar albino rats and the animals were divided into six groups. Control, Group1 (5 µg/kg), Group2 (10 µg/kg), Group3 (20 µg/kg), Group4 (50 µg/kg) and Group5 (100 µg/kg) groups were formed. Electrocardiography (ECG), arterial blood pressure and respiratory rate were recorded for 60 minutes after administration of i.v. grayanotoxin-III.
RESULTS
Group1 (5 µg/kg) was not significantly changed in all time periods. 10 and 20 µg/kg groups after 2 and 5 minutes and respiratory rate significantly decreased, peak heart rate and arterial pressure decreased was observed. 25 minutes after all the parameters returned to baseline values again. 50 and 100 µg/kg if all parameters in the group fell sharply from 2 minutes rats died between 5-10 minutes.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it was found that the lethal dose of grayanotoxin-III for rats is 50 µg/kg. In addition the death was developed due to cardiac arrest -. In case of the lower level of 5 µg/kg grayanotoxin-III, there is no any toxic effects. The effects of toxin seem nearly 25 minutes.
Keywords: Grayanotoxin-III, mad honey, cardiovascular effects
