Toxi-COOL-ogy: The Awesome Power of Poison and the Not so Awesome Effects

First things first:  The FUN-damentals…

Obviously, the meaning of toxicology is the study of poisons. The etymology is quite deep rooted because it came from the Latin word “toxicus” which means poisonous and that Latin word was derived from the Greek word “toxikón”, a poison where arrowheads are dipped and used as an extra lethal weapon. Talk about Toxiception.

It’s a broad study wherein everything about toxic substances, from its composition and nature to the means by which these substances cause ill effects to not only humans but also other living organisms and its consequential effect on biologic systems, are meticulously studied in full detail.

It clarifies our orthodox understanding that poisons are substances that cause immediate harm or fatality when ingested but in fact not all toxic substances causes immediate effects in our body, sometimes it needs time before it manifests itself as being harmful. That’s why toxicology goes beyond mere basic concepts of toxicity because it also assesses the quantitative relationship between the ill effects to the concentration or dosage of the substances, duration and frequency of exposure of the organisms.

Toxicology’s wide ranging character brought about the rise of different branches and sub disciplines that would tackle each parameter of toxicology in a comprehensive manner though there may be interdisciplinary relations within each of the branches.

Discipline	Definition and Application
Descriptive Toxicology	Focuses on toxicity testing of chemicals or agents of toxicity, usually on animals and then correlated to human conditions. It provides dose-response information upon exposure to a harmful toxic agent.
Mechanistic Toxicology	Focuses on the in depth study of how the agent initiates its biochemical or physiologic effect on the organism whether it would be genotoxic, teratogenic, mutagenic or carcinogenic. Works as toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics.
Regulatory Toxicology	Focuses on risk assessment and exposure guideline development from gathered information obtained from toxicity testing. Establishes standards for safe exposure in occupational health guideline or governmental regulations to limit the use.
Forensic Toxicology	Focuses on the medical and legal implications of drugs, as in the cases of illegal drug use/abuse, overdose and testing, and poisons, as in the case of murders and homicides that is of importance to police and medical examiners.
Clinical Toxicology	Focuses on pathophysiology of toxicity in both chronic or acute exposure and treatment to ameliorate signs and symptoms exhibited by the toxic agent. This is also in conjunction with use of pharmaceutical drugs.
Environmental Toxicology	Focuses on the exposure of the chemical varieties of toxicants found in the general living environment and its implications on organisms, mostly on the nonhuman population.
Ecotoxicology	Specialized area of environmental toxicology focusing mainly on the impacts of toxic agents in the population and its dynamics within an ecosystem and its fate.

Poison Arrow Dart

Its Dark past…..

The use of the concepts of toxicology started during the primitive times. 

One instance was the use of Curare, which is a black, resin-like toxic substance obtained from Strychos toxifera, that’s placed on arrow dart tips and were used to produce a more lethal and effective weaponry. 

To know more about how curare is made, open this link: Curare

King Mithridates VI of Pontus

During the Roman Empire, political assassinations by poisoning were rampant. The paranoid King Mithridates VI of Pontus (120-63 BCE) consumed daily small amounts of poisons, consisting of 36 different ingredients, serially increasing to gain polyvalent tolerance or immunity from different low grade poisons given by attempting poisoners. It was effective enough that he didn’t die of his own attempt of suicide by poison and had to use his sword to do the job. It led to the foundation of Mithridatium which is a concoction containing a collection of materials to prevent poisoning.

It led to the formation of the first law against poisoning, Lex Cornelia, circa 82 B.C.

Apuleius

To know more about Lex Cornelia, click this link: Lex Cornelia

Catherine de Medici

In the middle ages, clinical trials of toxic concoctions were used on the sick, the poor and on orphans by Catherine de Medici, Marchioness do Brinvillers and Catherine Deshayes carefully noting onset of action, potency, specificity and site of action and clinical signs and symptoms.

Paracelsus

During the Renaissance, Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim more famously known as Paracelsus (1493–1541), the father of toxicology, created the famous maxim, “All substances are poisons, there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.” This is said to be more related to pharmacology wherein the medicinal property of the drug could be dictated by the dose, as it goes beyond the desirable dose, it becomes toxic.

Evolution of toxicology honed and polished our know-abouts on the use of chemicals, drugs and other agents that may pose diminishing effects on our health.  

Fast Fact: Edible Poison

Delectable FUGU

The Fugu is a traditional Japanese cuisine made of the fresh meat of a Puffer fish which is known to have a potent poison, tetraodontidae. It is made by slicing raw meat of the puffer fish and served with condiments. Its prepared by only licensed chefs with adequate skill to remove the toxic sac. A wrong way of preparing the dish could lead to paralysis, respiratory arrest or death.

For more information about tetrodotoxin toxicity, refer to this link.tetrodotoxin

References:

• History of toxicology. Published: August 24, 2008, 3:59 pm. Updated: August 24, 2008, 3:59 pm. Lead Author: Emily Monosson.
• Principles of Toxicology. History of Toxicology. Michael J. Hooper. The Environmental Toxicology Department. Texas Tech University. Lubbock, Texas.
•   Lu’s Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment. 5^th ed. Frank C. Lu. 2009. Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
• Principles of toxicology: Environmental and Industrial Applications. 2^nd ed. 2000. Phillip L. Williams. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Principles and Practice of Toxicology in Public Health. Ira S. Richards. 2008. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
• Clinical Chemistry: Techniques, Principles, Correlations. 6^th ed. Michael L. Bishop. 2010. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Photo Credits: 

•  http://www.minelinks.com/ecuador/hunting_2.html
• http://www.pharmacy.wsu.edu/History/history06.html 
• http://zazagelato.blogspot.com/2012/05/thank-queen-for-gelato.html
• http://ancienthistory.about.com/b/2010/03/18/thursdays-term-to-learn-lex-cornelia-de-sicariis-et-veneficiis.htm
•  http://www.all-about-forensic-science.com/forensic-toxicology-phd-topic.html
• http://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2012/01/23/how-toxic-is-your-office-space/