A Case Series of Poisonings by Insecticides Prepared from Plant Extracts

In India, poisoning through pesticides is a very common form of self-harm, given the fact that it has large rural population and agriculture being a major part of the economy. Here we describe a series of three cases where such plant extracts were consumed with suicidal ideation.

Two patients consumed made from extracts of plants like Ocimum Sanctum(Tulsi), Andropogon Nardus (Lemon grass) and Nerocidal (Pongamia). One person had significant central nervous system symptoms and respiratory depression needing ventilator support, the other patient was asymptomatic and needed only supportive care. The third patient consumed a compound made from extracts of plants like Stamona japonica, Sophora flavenscens, Platycladus orientalis. Patient had respiratory depression needing ventilatory support and central nervous depression. The patient developed respiratory acidosis and died on day two of admission.

Poisoning from pesticides, as sited above, is a very common mode of suicide. In this case the compound used was an extract from plants; was marketed as organic and hence safe. Patients in this case series had CNS and Respiratory depression and also profound hypotention, by consuming extracts of plants which have many protective effects.

As is evident in the above cases, patients had profound respiratory and central nervous system depression. Further studies must be done on these compounds focusing on their safety profile in human.