Natural Poisons and Venoms : Plant Toxins: Terpenes and Steroids

Biogenic toxins are fascinating natural products characterized by an enormous diversity of chemical structures and pharmacological activities. They not only pose hazards to humans and animals, but they are important components in the interplay of substances and living beings in nature and, moreover, important sources for new drugs. This volume starts with a fundamental chapter on history, chemistry and pharmacology of natural toxins, importance of the toxins for their producer, potential danger for humans and animals, and general aspects of toxicology including notes for first aid and proposals for clinical measures. The following chapters focus on the poisonous representatives of terpenes and the related steroids. The reader will be informed about the botany and occurrence of plants producing these toxins, the chemistry, the biogenesis and the pharmacology of the toxins, possible causes of poisonings, precautions to avoid poisonings, symptoms of poisonings of humans and animals, proposals for treatment measures and the possible usefulness, in the past, in present and in the future, of these toxins, especially for the development of new medicines. The handbook is intended for physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists, chemists, biochemists, food chemists and biologists, for the students in the relevant fields, and also for interested laymen. Biogenic toxins are fascinating natural products characterized by an enormous diversity of chemical structures and pharmacological activities. They not only pose hazards to humans and animals, but they are important components in the interplay of substances and living beings in nature and, moreover, important sources for new drugs. Numerous images of plants and chemical structural formulas complete the book, as well as extensive references for further reading. The multivolume reference is an essential resource for physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists, chemists, biochemists, food chemists and biologists, for students in the relevant fields, and maybe for interested laymen. All aspects of natural toxins based on the latest scientific knowledge are included: All aspects of the toxicology of all living organisms and natural foods, chemistry, action mechanisms, symptoms of intoxications. The only book arranged on a strictly scientific base according to the biogenetic origin and chemical structure. Natural Poisons and Venoms in 5 Volumes: Volume 2: Plant Toxins: Polyketides, Phenylpropanoids and Further Compounds 2024, ISBN 978-3-11-072851-4 Volume 3: Plant Toxins: Alkaloids and Lectins 2025, ISBN 978-3-11-112740-8 Volume 4: Animal Toxins 2023, ISBN 978-3-11-072854-5 Volume 5: Fungal and Microbial Toxins 2025, ISBN 978-3-11-072856-9 After an introduction on toxins and toxicology, the book is arranged according to biogenetic origin and chemistry of the poisonous and venomous compounds. Each chapter describes the biology of toxin producing organisms, chemistry, pharmacological activity and mode of action of the poisonous compounds, risks and symptoms of intoxications and treatment. It shows the great potential of toxins as drugs and for drug development.