2012/04/18 by Suze A. Jansen, Iris Kleerekooper, Zonne L. M. Hofman +3 · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · #Bioactive Natural Diterpenoids Research #Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity #Plant-based Medicinal Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s12012-012-9162-2
openalex publication_date 2012/04/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Many plants of the Ericaceae family, Rhododendron, Pieris, Agarista and Kalmia, contain diterpene grayanotoxins. Consumption of grayanotoxin containing leaves, flowers or secondary products as honey may result in intoxication specifically characterized by dizziness, hypotension and atrial-ventricular block. Symptoms are caused by an inability to inactivate neural sodium ion channels resulting in continuous increased vagal tone. Grayanotoxin containing products are currently sold online, which may pose an increasing risk. In humans, intoxication is rarely lethal, in contrast to cattle and pet poisoning cases. Scientific evidence for the medicinal properties of grayanotoxin containing preparations, such as honey or herbal preparation in use in folk medicine, is scarce, and such use may even be harmful.