Botanical elixirs: A rare case of suicidal poisoning with a flower stimulant

Flowering stimulants act as horticultural marvels by increasing the number of productive flowers and buds. They provide the energy that is required by the plant cells, which helps develop a strong stem. It also increases the vegetative growth of the plants, thus helping to increase the overall crop yield. Nitrobenzene is one of the main constituents of a flowering stimulant. Here, we report a suicidal case involving poisoning with a flowering stimulant due to its uncommon, rare occurrence, and unique nature. A man who presented with symptoms of cyanosis, vomiting and unconsciousness. It was reported that the patient had consumed an unknown quantity of a flowering stimulant that contained nitrobenzene. The initial clinical parameters revealed severe methemoglobinemia (83.4%) and reduced oxygen saturation (77%). Despite resuscitative measures, he died after 17 hours. The autopsy findings revealed a distinguished shoe polish odour while opening the stomach. All the organs were congested. The brain was oedematous. Histopathological examination showed steatosis of the liver, acute tubular necrosis in the kidneys, thalamic oedema, and lung inflammation with emphysematous changes. Toxicological examination of the viscera and body fluids was positive for nitrobenzene poisoning. Poisoning with nitrobenzene as a flowering stimulant is uncommon, and a literature survey revealed few autopsy cases reported to date. This case will help us in enhancing our knowledge about this rare poisoning and add to the already existing literature.