TOXICITY AND RELATED PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF PHENOLIC SUBSTANCES OF PLANT ORIGIN

The toxicity to animals of plant phenols is reviewed; particularly, hydroquinone, salicylic acid, coumarin, bicoumarol safrole, myristicin, urushiol, phloridzin, tangeretin, hypericin, psoralen, gossypol, rhein, sennoside, tetrahydrocannabinol, tremetone, dihydromethysticin, podophyllotoxin, rotenone, and tannin. General correlations and evolutionary significance are discussed. Phenols appear generally toxic if natural barriers or detoxification mechanisms are overloaded by amount, circumvented by the manner of administration, or foiled by uncommon compounds such as methylene diethers or isoprenoid structures. Frequently manifested features of phenol toxicity include synergism, bonding with body polymers, interference with metabolism of normal phenols (catecholamines, tyrosine, vitamin K), and involvement of the skin and liver. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.