Cantharidin: Difference between revisions
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However, when compounded properly and applied in the clinic topically by a medical provider familiar with its effects and uses, cantharidin can be safe and effective in treating certain selected benign skin lesions like warts and molluscum<ref name="blistering"> Moen, L.; Shwayder, T., Chang M. (October 2001). "Cantharidin revisited: a blistering defense of an ancient medicine". Archives of Dermatology (137): 1357–1360. </ref>. |
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When [[ingestion|ingested]] by humans, the {{LD50}} is around 0.5 mg/kg, with a dose of as little as 10 [[milligrams]] being potentially fatal. Ingesting cantharidin can initially cause severe damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract, and may also cause permanent [[renal]] damage. Symptoms of cantharidin poisoning include [[haematuria]], abdominal pains, and rarely [[priapism]].<ref name="pmid456036"/> |
When [[ingestion|ingested]] by humans, the {{LD50}} is around 0.5 mg/kg, with a dose of as little as 10 [[milligrams]] being potentially fatal. Ingesting cantharidin can initially cause severe damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract, and may also cause permanent [[renal]] damage. Symptoms of cantharidin poisoning include [[haematuria]], abdominal pains, and rarely [[priapism]].<ref name="pmid456036"/> |
Revision as of 00:43, 21 November 2012
Names | |
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IUPAC names
2,6-Dimethyl-4,10-dioxatricyclo-
[5.2.1.02,6]decane-3,5-dione | |
Other names
Cantharidin
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.240 |
KEGG | |
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C10H12O4 | |
Molar mass | 196.20 g/mol |
Density | 1.41 g/cm³ |
Melting point | 212 °C |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Cantharidin, a type of terpenoid, is a poisonous chemical compound secreted by many species of blister beetle, and most notably by the Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria. The false blister beetles and cardinal beetles also contain cantharidin.
History
Cantharidin was first isolated in 1810 by Pierre Robiquet[1], a French chemist then living in Paris, from Lytta vesicatoria. Robiquet demonstrated that cantharidin was the actual principle responsible for the aggressively blistering properties of the coating of the eggs of that insect, and established that cantharidin had very definite toxic and poisonous properties comparable in degree to that of the most violent poisons known in the 19th century, such as strychnine.[2] It is an odorless and colorless solid at room temperature. It is secreted by the male blister beetle and given to the female as a copulatory gift during mating. Afterwards the female beetle will cover its eggs with it as a defense against predators. The complete mechanism of the biosynthesis of cantharidin is currently unknown.
Medical uses
Diluted solutions of cantharidin can be used as a topical medication to remove warts[3] and tattoos and to treat the small papules of Molluscum contagiosum.[4]
Medical risks for humans
Its potential for adverse effects has led it to being included in a list of "problem drugs" used by dermatologists[5] and emergency personnel.[6] However, when compounded properly and applied in the clinic topically by a medical provider familiar with its effects and uses, cantharidin can be safe and effective in treating certain selected benign skin lesions like warts and molluscum[7].
When ingested by humans, the LD50 is around 0.5 mg/kg, with a dose of as little as 10 milligrams being potentially fatal. Ingesting cantharidin can initially cause severe damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract, and may also cause permanent renal damage. Symptoms of cantharidin poisoning include haematuria, abdominal pains, and rarely priapism.[5]
The level of cantharidin in blister beetles can be quite variable: Among blister beetles of the genus Epicauta in Colorado, E. pennsylvanica contain approximately 0.2 mg, E. maculata contain 0.7 mg, and E. immaculata contain 4.8 mg per beetle; males also contain higher levels than females.[8]
The extreme toxicity of cantharidin makes any use as an aphrodisiac highly dangerous because it can easily cause death. As a result, it is illegal to sell (or use) cantharidin for this purpose in many countries.[citation needed]
Medical risks for animals
Horses are highly sensitive to cantharidin: the LD50 for horses is approximately 1 mg/kg of the horse's body weight. Horses may be accidentally poisoned when fed bales of fodder with blister beetles in them.[9]
Research
Topical treatment with cantharidin appears to have some effect in an animal model of cutaneous leishmaniasis.[10] In addition to topical medical applications, cantharidin and its analogues may have activity against cancer cells.[11][12][13] Laboratory studies with cultured tumor cell lines suggest that this activity may relate to inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A.[14][15]
References
- ^ Wolter, Hans (1995). Kompendium der Tierärztlichen Homöopathie. Enke. ISBN 978-3432978925.
- ^ Robiquet. M., Ann. Chim., 1810, vol. 76, pp. 302-307.
- ^ Epstein WL, Kligman AM (1958). "Treatment of warts with cantharidin". A. M. A. Archives of dermatology. 77 (5): 508–11. PMID 13519856.
- ^ "Molluscum contagiosum". Merck Manuals. 2005. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (help) - ^ a b Binder R (1979). "Malpractice--in dermatology". Cutis; cutaneous medicine for the practitioner. 23 (5): 663–6. PMID 456036.
- ^ Karras DJ, Farrell SE, Harrigan RA, Henretig FM, Gealt L (1996). "Poisoning from "Spanish fly" (cantharidin)". Am J Emerg Med. 14 (5): 478–83. doi:10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90158-8. PMID 8765116.
{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Moen, L.; Shwayder, T., Chang M. (October 2001). "Cantharidin revisited: a blistering defense of an ancient medicine". Archives of Dermatology (137): 1357–1360.
- ^ Capinera JL, Gardner DR, Stermitz FR (1985-10). "Cantharidin Levels in Blister Beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) Associated with Alfalfa in Colorado". Journal of Economic Entomology. 78 (5): 1052–1055.
{{cite journal}}
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(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Blister Beetle Poisoning / Cantharidin toxicosis". Retrieved 2010-12-31.
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