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Not CommonRésumée par IA
Gelsemium elegans
Gelsemium elegans
Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise (Gou Wen) pour la douleur et le carcinome cutané
Gelsemium elegans contains alkaloids such as gelsemine and koumine that primarily affect the central nervous system. These compounds are believed to act on glycine receptors and potentially opioid receptors to inhibit pain signal transmission (Evidence Level C). Because the plant is extremely toxic, the therapeutic window is narrow; the mechanism that provides analgesia is closely linked to the neurotoxic effects that cause paralysis. Consequently, its use is restricted to pharmaceutical research rather than general clinical practice.
Is Gelsemium elegans safe to take during pregnancy?
Gelsemium elegans is absolutely unsafe during pregnancy. The plant contains potent alkaloids such as gelsemine and gelsenicine, which are toxic and can cross the placenta (Evidence Level C). Ingestion can cause uterine stimulation and severe neuromuscular toxicity, including respiratory failure in both the mother and fetus. Traditional contraindications explicitly list pregnancy as a condition where use is prohibited. It should be strictly avoided in all forms.
What is the safe dosage for Gelsemium elegans?
There is no established safe self-administration dosage for Gelsemium elegans. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used only in minute, strictly controlled amounts, often processed to reduce toxicity (Evidence Level D). Because the lethal dose is very close to the potential therapeutic dose, it is classified as an extremely toxic herb. Usage is restricted to pharmaceutical research settings or specialized medical supervision. Self-dosing carries a high risk of fatal respiratory paralysis.
Does Gelsemium elegans interact with other medications?
Gelsemium elegans poses severe interaction risks, particularly with central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Combining it with opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol can potentiate respiratory depression and paralysis, leading to fatal outcomes (Evidence Level C). Because the herb causes neuromuscular blockade, taking it alongside muscle relaxants or anesthetics is strictly contraindicated. Due to its narrow therapeutic index, professional pharmaceutical supervision is required to avoid cumulative toxicity.
What are the side effects of Gelsemium elegans poisoning?
The primary side effects of Gelsemium elegans toxicity are neuromuscular. Symptoms include dizziness, visual disturbances, and progressive muscle weakness leading to flaccid paralysis (Evidence Level C). In overdose cases, respiratory paralysis occurs, which can result in death. Traditional texts describe the toxic effect as 'Gou Wen,' implying a rapid, paralyzing action. Immediate medical intervention is required if ingestion occurs, as the progression from symptoms to respiratory failure can be rapid.
Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed
Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.
Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b
Résumé
Gelsemium elegans, also known as heartbreak grass, is a highly toxic plant from the Loganiaceae family with diverse pharmacological activities and significant neurotoxicity [PMID:34885727, PMID:40250031].
Contexte
Gelsemium elegans (Benth) is a flowering plant indigenous to China and East Asia [PMID:25447163, PMID:33366159]. It is characterized as a highly poisonous plant belonging to the family Loganiaceae [PMID:34885727].
Usages traditionnels
Traditionally used as a remedy for skin problems, neuralgia, fractures, cancer, eczema, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin ulcers [PMID:37642181, PMID:31085395, PMID:34946539].
Composés actifs
The primary active components are monoterpenoid indole alkaloids [PMID:42343752], including koumine (the most dominant), gelsemine, gelsenicine, gelsedine, gelsemicine, sempervirine, koumidine, koumicine, and humantenine [PMID:25447163]. Other identified components include nor-ursane type triterpenoids [PMID:26344425].
Mécanisme d'action
Koumine regulates macrophage M1/M2 polarization via the translocator protein (TSPO) to alleviate inflammatory responses [PMID:36215787]. Gelsevirine inhibits the STING signaling-mediated pyroptosis pathway in microglia [PMID:39326131]. Gelsenicine induces neurotoxicity by promoting apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells, a process that can be modulated by the PERK signaling pathway and autophagy [PMID:35588915].
Preuves cliniques
Preuve DSepsis-associated liver injury (SALI)
Koumine improved survival rates and protected liver morphology in mouse models of CLP- and LPS-induced sepsis [PMID:36215787]
Preuve DSepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE)
Gelsevirine improved survival rates and behavioral alterations in CLP-induced sepsis mouse models [PMID:39326131]
Preuve DCancer/Tumors
Various indole alkaloids and total extracts exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against human lung adenocarcinoma (A-549), non-small-cell lung cancer, laryngeal tumor cell lines, and K562 leukemia cells [PMID:16989532, PMID:31913055, PMID:28679292, PMID:36985503]
Sécurité et effets indésirables
The plant is highly toxic; the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic dose [PMID:34885727]. Gelsenicine is the most toxic constituent and causes potent neurotoxicity, severe respiratory depression, and respiratory failure [PMID:40250031, PMID:35018838, PMID:35588915]. Poisoning leads to significant gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardio-respiratory toxicities [PMID:30273705]. Gelsenicine also disrupts the intestinal barrier, potentially causing abdominal pain and diarrhea [PMID:38705443].
Synthèse des preuves
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (mice, rats, zebrafish, C. elegans), indicating strong toxicity and potential pharmacological activity, but lacking human clinical trial data.
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 36215787 (2022) — Koumine regulates macrophage M1/M2 polarization via TSPO, alleviating sepsis-associated liver injury in mice. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2.PMID: 40250031 (2025) — Decoding gelsenicine-induced neurotoxicity in mice via metabolomics and network toxicology. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3.PMID: 34885727 (2021) — Gelsemium elegans Benth: Chemical Components, Pharmacological Effects, and Toxicity Mechanisms. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 25447163 (2015) — Gelsemium analgesia and the spinal glycine receptor/allopregnanolone pathway. · Fitoterapia
Sources gouvernementales
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
6.PMID: 16989532 (2006) — Alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans. · Journal of natural products
7.PMID: 37781747 (2025) — Monoterpene indole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans. · Natural product research
8.PMID: 30273705 (2018) — Gelsemium poisoning mediated by the non-toxic plant Cassytha filiformis parasitizing Gelsemium elegans. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
9.PMID: 39326131 (2024) — Gelsevirine ameliorates sepsis-associated encephalopathy by inhibiting the STING signalling-mediated pyroptosis pathway in microglia. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
10.PMID: 33366159 (2019) — The complete mitochondrial genome of heartbreak grass Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth. (Gelsemiaceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
11.PMID: 37642181 (2023) — Genus Gelsemium and its Endophytic Fungi - Comprehensive Review of their Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. · Current topics in medicinal chemistry
12.PMID: 29035525 (2017) — Sesquiterpenes from the Endophyte Glomerella cingulata. · Journal of natural products
13.PMID: 31913055 (2020) — Cytotoxic gelsedine-type indole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans. · Journal of Asian natural products research
14.PMID: 36713860 (2022) — The multicomponent residue depletion of Gelsemium elegans in pig tissues, urine, and plasma. · Frontiers in veterinary science
15.PMID: 35018838 (2022) — Toxicity assessment of gelsenicine and the search for effective antidotes. · Human & experimental toxicology
17.PMID: 28679292 (2018) — Cytotoxic gelsedine-type indole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans. · Journal of Asian natural products research
18.PMID: 31085395 (2019) — The qualitative and quantitative analyses of Gelsemium elegans. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
19.PMID: 38705443 (2024) — Gelsenicine disrupted the intestinal barrier of Caenorhabditis elegans. · Chemico-biological interactions
20.PMID: 36985503 (2023) — Structural Elucidation and Cytotoxic Activity of New Monoterpenoid Indoles from Gelsemium elegans. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 42343752 (2026) — [Advances in synthesis regulation, extraction technology, and pharmacological application of Gelsemium elegans alkaloids]. · Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology
22.PMID: 38447648 (2024) — Understanding the toxicity mechanism of gelsemine in zebrafish. · Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP
23.PMID: 32082980 (2020) — Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of the Chinese herbal plant Gelsemium elegans. · Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B
24.PMID: 26344425 (2015) — New nor-ursane type triterpenoids from Gelsemium elegans. · Fitoterapia
25.PMID: 35588915 (2022) — Protective autophagy alleviates neurotoxin-gelsenicine induced apoptosis through PERK signaling pathway in Neuro-2a cells. · Toxicology
26.PMID: 18548882 (2007) — [Research on the original plants of Gou-wen and Ye-Ge--and the herbological thoughts of Jin]. · Yakushigaku zasshi
27.PMID: 34946539 (2021) — New Monoterpenoid Indoles with Osteoclast Activities from Gelsemium elegans. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
28.PMID: 38571358 (2024) — Comparative Analysis of the Gelsemium Alkaloids Metabolism in Human, Pig, Goat, and Rat Liver Microsomes. · Current drug metabolism
29.PMID: 42239514 (2026) — Integration of an iterative factor into a validated HPTLC method for quantification of koumine in the toxic plant Gelsemium elegans Benth. · Frontiers in pharmacology
30.PMID: 37968250 (2023) — New Monoterpenoid Indole Hybrids from Gelsemium elegans with Anti-Inflammatory and Osteoclast Inhibitory Activities. · Chemistry & biodiversity