Ledol
Ledol is a toxic substance found in the plant species Rhododendron tomentosum, commonly known as marsh Labrador tea. It is a sesquiterpene that is structurally similar to thujone, another plant-based toxin. Ledol is known for its strong, unpleasant smell and its potential to cause poisoning in humans and animals.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Ledol is a sesquiterpene, a class of terpenes that consists of three isoprene units and has the molecular formula C15H24. It is structurally similar to thujone, a toxin found in several plant species including wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). Ledol has a strong, unpleasant smell that is often described as turpentine-like.
Sources[edit | edit source]
The primary source of ledol is the plant Rhododendron tomentosum, also known as marsh Labrador tea. This plant is native to the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, and is particularly common in bogs and other wetland habitats. Other species of Rhododendron may also contain ledol, although in smaller amounts.
Toxicity[edit | edit source]
Ledol is a potent toxin. When ingested, it can cause a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, seizures and death. The toxin is also absorbed through the skin, making it dangerous to handle plants containing ledol without proper protection. Animals that consume plants containing ledol, such as sheep and cattle, can also suffer from poisoning.
Treatment and Prevention[edit | edit source]
Treatment for ledol poisoning is primarily supportive, with the aim of managing symptoms and preventing further absorption of the toxin. This may include inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal to bind the toxin in the stomach, and providing supportive care such as fluids and electrolytes. Prevention of ledol poisoning involves avoiding contact with and ingestion of plants containing the toxin.
See Also[edit | edit source]
This toxin-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
