CLINICAL

TOXICOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

WEEK 1
 UNIT OUTCOMES
At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:
• Familiarize and understand the brief history of
toxicology
• Describe the importance of concepts of toxicology.
• Describe the different types of poisoning
• Identify the different areas of toxicology
 OVERVIEW

• Definition and history of toxicology.

• Areas of toxicology.
• Specialized areas of toxicology.
• Definication of important terms in toxicology.
• Types of poisoning.
 TOXICOLOGY
 Deals with the undesirable effects
of chemicals on living systems,
from individual cells to complex
ecosystems.
• Predict outcomes of
exposure in human and
animal population.
• Study of AE of xenobiotics to
living organism.

TOXICOLOGY
• Study of AE of chemical,
physical or biological agents
on human, animals and
environment.

TOXICOLOGY
 FOCUS OF STUDY

01 03
MECHANISM DETECTION
Confirmatory test and
How toxicity occurs
identification

02 04
SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
What are the clinical
Antidote and management
manifestations
 ● Most cases of poisoning
actually go unreported,

50,000/yr.
especially in Third World
countries.

● The incidence of poisoning in India is

among the highest in the world
 CAUSES OF POISONING

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTAL DELIBERATE

The problem is getting worse with time as newer drugs and

chemicals are developed in vast numbers.
 COMMONEST AGENTS THAT CAUSES TOXICITY

01 02 03
PESTICIDES SEDATIVES CHEMICALS
Organophosphates, Corrosives (acid and
carbamates, hydrocarbons, BDZ, Barbiturates
bases)
pyrethroids.

04 05 06
ALCOHOLS PLANT TOXINS HOUSE HOLDS
Datura, Oleander,
Ethanol and Methanol Cleaning agents.
Strychnos. Castors.
 Arrow and dart poisons
were very popular for
hunting animals (and
sometimes fellow
humans).

In fact it is said that the term

“toxicology” is derived from
Common arrow poison:
toxicon, a Greek word which
-Cardiotoxic plants – when translated reads,
Strophanthin, aconitine “poison into which
and Helleborus. arrowheads are dipped”.
-Snake/Toad venom
 HISTORY

DIOSCORIDES THEOPHRASTUS

40-80 AD – Greek
Physician who classify
NICANDER 370-286 BC – Eerly MAIMONIDES
treatise on plant
poisons into 3 groups. 204-135 BC – Greek poisons (De Historia Moses ben Maimon
Animal, vegetable and Physician who began Plantarum) (1198) – Treatise on
mineral experimenting animal Poisons and their Antidote
poison using (Insects, snakes and mad
condemned criminals. dogs.)
Note that milk, butter
and cream could
delay intestinal
absorption of poison.
 HISTORY

PARACELSUS

1493 – 1541. Study ORFILA

Dose-response
relationship. Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure
First scientific approach Orfila (1787 – 1853) Father of
in toxicology. modern toxicology. Advocate
“The dose makes the practice of autopsy.
poison” Published “Traite des
Poisons” – foundation of
forensic toxicology.
 HISTORY
1500-1000 BC. An Indian collection that contains
RIGVEDA religious, knowledge and praises. Some contents
describe plant poisons.
470 – 399 BC. Executed by the administration of
SOCRATES hemlock.
Discovered as early asa 3500 BC. One of the earliest known
LEAD mineral poison. Lead acetate – Sweetening agent during Roman
period causing high incidence of plumbism.

1797 – 1882. Published a simplified English version of

CHRISTISON
“A Treatise on Poisons”.

1848. First published work on clinical toxicology

COSTILL “Practical Treatise on Poisons”
01 TOXICOLOGY

IMPORTANCE AND CONTRIBUTION

 IMPORTANCE AND CONTRIBUTION

PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTITATION

By using toxic agents to understand the Hazards resulting from occupational exposure
medicinal and the physiologic to chemicals and the public aspects of
phenomena. chemicals in air, water, food, drugs and
Ex. Use of muscarine and nicotine other parts of the environment
(Cholinomimetic drugs) Lead containing paints or gasoline fume
inhalation
 IMPORTANCE AND CONTRIBUTION

DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDIZATION AND REGULATION

Contribution in new formulation,
Participate in developmental standard
development and innovation.
designed to protect human health and
Participation in the discovery of new drug
environment from adverse effects of
and pesticides.
chemicals.
-Clinical trials
 AREAS IN
TOXICOLOGY
• Concerned with the
mechanism by which
chemicals exert their toxic
effects on living organisms.

MECHANISTIC TOXICOLOGY
• Often lead to the development
of sensitive predictive test
useful in risk assessment, design and
production of safer alternative chemical
and rational therapy for chemical
poisoning and treatment of disease

MECHANISTIC TOXICOLOGY
• Concerned with the
responsibility of deciding
on the basis of data provided by the
descriptive toxicologist if a drug or other
chemical posses a sufficiently low risk to
be marketed for stated purpose
Concentration based standard of “safe”
exposure

REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY
• Toxicity testing
• Provides necessary information for
safety evaluation and
regulatory requirements

DESCRIPTIVE TOXICOLOGY
SPECIALIZED AREAS
OF TOXICOLOGY
• Concerned with the medico-
legal aspects of the harmful
effects of chemicals on humans.
• Aids in establishing the cause
of death and in criminal
investigation.

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY
• Within the realm of medical science concerned
with disease
caused by, or
uniquely associated with toxic
substances

CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
• Involved in emergency
medicine and poison
management.
• Develop antidotes and
treatment regimens for
ameliorating poisoning and
xenobiotic injury.

CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
• Focuses on the impacts of
chemical pollutants found in
the environment on
biological organisms.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
• Studies chemicals that are
contaminants of food,
water, soil or air
• Also associated with the
studies of chemical effects
on animals

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
• Deals with the chemicals
found in the workplace.
• Protects workers from toxic
substances and makes their
work environment safe.

OCCUPATIONAL TOXICOLOGY
• Identify the agents of
concern, define conditions
leading to their use and
prevent absorption of
harmful amounts.

OCCUPATIONAL TOXICOLOGY
• application of new
It is the
and modern methods of
technologies for early
detection of toxicants in the field
setting or practice area.

APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
 THANKS
Do you have any questions?
[email protected]

Our Lady of Fatima University

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