Neurotoxicity following the ingestion of a Chinese medicinal plant, Alocasia macrorrhiza

Abstract

1 A case of poisoning due to the raw root tuber of a Chinese medicinal plant, Alocasia macrorrhiza is pre sented. 2 The patient developed neurological (severe pain and numbness in the perioral area and throat) and gastro intestinal (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) symptoms immediately after eating the root tuber. 3 A. macrorrhiza has properties and morphology very similar to another medical plant, A. odora. The root tuber of the latter is known to contain a neurotoxin, sapotoxin.