Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology 1987-01-01

A fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca.

J L Castorena, J C Garriott, F E Barnhardt, R F Shaw

Index: J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. 25(5) , 429-35, (1987)

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Abstract

A young adult male was found dead in a field. No cause of death was apparent at autopsy, and the only positive toxicological finding was the presence of a nicotine-like alkaloid isolated from the liver. Anabasine, the major, highly toxic alkaloid of the shrub, Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) was subsequently identified in all body specimens examined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Concentrations of anabasine in blood, urine and other body organs are reported.