Poke Salet: Poke Salet: ““the Myth, the Menace, the Miracle”the Myth, the Menace, the Miracle”

Justin DuncanYan RenJin Hee

Haejin BaeJustin Butcher

Phytolacca americanaPhytolacca americana

Largest member of the Phytolaccaceae in Largest member of the Phytolaccaceae in North America.North America.

Phytolaccaceae is found within the Phytolaccaceae is found within the Caryophyllidae, which also includes the Caryophyllidae, which also includes the cacti, Chenopodiums, amaranths, Portulacas cacti, Chenopodiums, amaranths, Portulacas and Polygonums.and Polygonums.

Most of these families lack anthocyanins, Most of these families lack anthocyanins, which are replaced by betalains.which are replaced by betalains.

Phytolacca americanaPhytolacca americana

Tall, many branched perennial herb arising Tall, many branched perennial herb arising from large rootstock.from large rootstock.

This large root is said to have a man-shape.This large root is said to have a man-shape.

The berries are very dark purple-black and The berries are very dark purple-black and can be used to make ink.can be used to make ink.

Distribution of Distribution of P. americanaP. americana

Where can I find some?Where can I find some?

Poke grows in:Poke grows in:damp woodsdamp woods

waste placeswaste places

roadsidesroadsides

many back yardsmany back yards

Food UsesFood Uses

Poke salet greens (potherb)Poke salet greens (potherb)

– Fried with eggs and diced onionsFried with eggs and diced onions

– Fried breaded young stemsFried breaded young stems

Poke berry piePoke berry pie

Poke berry winePoke berry wine

Other usesOther uses

Fabric dyeFabric dye

Dietary supplement?Dietary supplement?

HerbicideHerbicide

MolluscideMolluscide

““The Myth”The Myth”

Poke salet is a magical plant that purges evil Poke salet is a magical plant that purges evil spirits from the human body.spirits from the human body.

Especially good for tumors of the breast.Especially good for tumors of the breast.

Berries eaten by arthritis sufferers for relief.Berries eaten by arthritis sufferers for relief.

Traditional healers (Jethro Kloss, John Lee) used Traditional healers (Jethro Kloss, John Lee) used poke for:poke for: thyroid problemsthyroid problems chest painchest pain fungal skin fungal skin

infectionsinfections eczema eczema impetigoimpetigo ulcersulcers stomach cancer stomach cancer

cystscysts alterative alterative CatharticCathartic constipationconstipation anti-syphiliticanti-syphilitic antiscorbuticantiscorbutic tonic.tonic.

““The Myth” The Myth”

Disadvantages and Negative Disadvantages and Negative Aspects of PokeweedAspects of Pokeweed

““The Menace”The Menace”

Disadvantages and Negative Aspects of Disadvantages and Negative Aspects of PokeweedPokeweed

Characterization as a weed.Characterization as a weed.

Possibly possesses Possibly possesses allelochemical properties.allelochemical properties.– Interferes with competing Interferes with competing

species by releasing phenolic species by releasing phenolic compounds present in leaf compounds present in leaf extracts causing inhibition of extracts causing inhibition of growth and other changes in growth and other changes in root-tip cells (Kim et al., 2005).root-tip cells (Kim et al., 2005).

ToxicityToxicity All parts are mildly poisonous when All parts are mildly poisonous when consumed.consumed.

– RootRoot (most toxic: contains saponins, (most toxic: contains saponins, mitogenic acting glycoproteins, etc.)mitogenic acting glycoproteins, etc.)– LeavesLeaves and and stemsstems (moderate) (moderate)– BerriesBerries (smallest quantity of poison) (smallest quantity of poison)– SeedsSeeds (very toxic but hard seed coat) (very toxic but hard seed coat)

Thorough cooking reduces toxicity levels.Thorough cooking reduces toxicity levels.– Boiling twice and discarding water has proven to be effective.Boiling twice and discarding water has proven to be effective.

Should be avoided if taking anti-depressants, fertility Should be avoided if taking anti-depressants, fertility drugs, and women who are pregnant.drugs, and women who are pregnant.

American Cancer Society, 2007

Effects of Consuming Uncooked PokeweedEffects of Consuming Uncooked Pokeweed Burning / bitter tasteBurning / bitter taste NauseaNausea VomitingVomiting DiarrheaDiarrhea Abdominal crampsAbdominal cramps HeadachesHeadaches Blurred visionBlurred vision ConfusionConfusion DizzinessDizziness WeaknessWeakness ConvulsionsConvulsions

Rapid heart rateRapid heart rate Muscle spasmsMuscle spasms Paralysis of respiratory Paralysis of respiratory

organsorgans Even deathEven death

American Cancer Society, 2007

Clinical Signs in AnimalsClinical Signs in Animals

HorsesHorses ColicColic DiarrheaDiarrhea Respiratory failureRespiratory failure

CattleCattle General symptoms Decrease in milk

production

SwineSwine UnsteadinessUnsteadiness Inability to riseInability to rise Jerking movements Jerking movements

in legs.in legs.

Wikipedia, 2007

Dangerous Compounds in PokeweedDangerous Compounds in Pokeweed

Alkaloid (phytolaccine)Alkaloid (phytolaccine)

Resin (phytolaccatoxin)Resin (phytolaccatoxin)

Saponin (phytolaccigenin)Saponin (phytolaccigenin)– Phytolaccoside E (main one) - Phytolaccoside E (main one) -

strong irritant.strong irritant.

LectinLectin– Cause red blood cells to Cause red blood cells to

clump together and may clump together and may stimulate abnormal cell stimulate abnormal cell division in B and T-division in B and T-lymphocytes (Armstrong, lymphocytes (Armstrong, 2000).2000).

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 2007

Reported CasesReported Cases Eastern North America during the 19Eastern North America during the 19 thth century century

– Poisonings were common; mistaken for parsnip or Jerusalem Poisonings were common; mistaken for parsnip or Jerusalem artichoke.artichoke.

Rhode Island in 1961.Rhode Island in 1961.– Child (2 years of age) died from what was initially perceived Child (2 years of age) died from what was initially perceived

as result of ingesting pokeweed berries.as result of ingesting pokeweed berries.

– Physicians recommended “the plant should be handled with Physicians recommended “the plant should be handled with caution” (Kingsbury, 1980).caution” (Kingsbury, 1980).

Practice of brewing pokeweed with hot water to make Practice of brewing pokeweed with hot water to make tea -> poisoning (American Cancer Society, 2007).tea -> poisoning (American Cancer Society, 2007).

Reported Cases ContinuedReported Cases Continued

Barker et al. (1966) studied serial blood films of Barker et al. (1966) studied serial blood films of children.children.– Large cells similar to plasmablasts were found in blood Large cells similar to plasmablasts were found in blood

films two weeks following exposure.films two weeks following exposure.

A mitotic mononuclear cell in blood of a child who ingested several pokeberries 10 days prior to examination.

A cell from blood of a child exposed to pokeberry showing non-specific morphologic changes.

Reported Cases ContinuedReported Cases Continued

Lazarus et al. (1998) found a decline in serum Lazarus et al. (1998) found a decline in serum glucose levels in mice 24 hours after receiving 15 glucose levels in mice 24 hours after receiving 15 mg/kg of pokeweed mitogen (PKW).mg/kg of pokeweed mitogen (PKW).

– Development of anorexia.Development of anorexia.

– Significant decline in bodySignificant decline in body weight after three days.weight after three days.

– 10% reduction in carcass10% reduction in carcass weights.weights.

Advantages and Positive Aspects of Advantages and Positive Aspects of PokeweedPokeweed

““The Miracle”The Miracle”

Advantages and Positive Aspects of Advantages and Positive Aspects of PokeweedPokeweed

Used as a homeopathic remedy for various ailments.Used as a homeopathic remedy for various ailments.

Berries used to make ink in Pennsylvania Dutch regions.Berries used to make ink in Pennsylvania Dutch regions.

Pomade extract from roots used for skin eruptions, skin Pomade extract from roots used for skin eruptions, skin rash, and ringworms.rash, and ringworms.

Pokeroot constituents shown to possess anti-inflammatory Pokeroot constituents shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties and lowering blood pressure effects.properties and lowering blood pressure effects.

““Pokeroot antiviral protein” (PAP) has potential for Pokeroot antiviral protein” (PAP) has potential for treatment of HIV and herpes.treatment of HIV and herpes.

American Cancer Society, 2007

Advantages ContinuedAdvantages Continued

PAP has also shown to have anti-tumor effects PAP has also shown to have anti-tumor effects in mice.in mice.

Pokeweed can also be used to treat rheumatoid Pokeweed can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, tonsillitis, mumps, swollen glands, arthritis, tonsillitis, mumps, swollen glands, bronchitis, mastitis, etc.bronchitis, mastitis, etc.

As an herb, it is effective for joint inflammation, As an herb, it is effective for joint inflammation, ulcers, etc.ulcers, etc.

External application of a preparation made from External application of a preparation made from the plant has the plant has ““claimedclaimed”” to relieve itching, to relieve itching, inflammation, and skin diseases.inflammation, and skin diseases.

American Cancer Society, 2007

Components Found in PokeweedComponents Found in Pokeweed

Structures of (I) phytolacccagenin, (II) oleanic acid, and (III) betanin

Reported CasesReported Cases

In rodents, research showed that PAP demonstrated In rodents, research showed that PAP demonstrated anti-cancer effects (American Cancer Society, 2007).anti-cancer effects (American Cancer Society, 2007).

PAP combined with an immunotherapy drug (TP-3) has PAP combined with an immunotherapy drug (TP-3) has shown promise as a potential treatment for some soft shown promise as a potential treatment for some soft tissue sarcomas (Anderson et al., 1995).tissue sarcomas (Anderson et al., 1995).

Studies in the lab have found certain formulations of Studies in the lab have found certain formulations of PAP may be useful against cancer cells involved in PAP may be useful against cancer cells involved in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer (American Cancer prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer (American Cancer Society, 2007).Society, 2007).

Reported Cases Reported Cases

PAP significantly PAP significantly improved the capacity improved the capacity for survival of mice for survival of mice infected with infected with Lymphocytic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) (Uckun, et al., (LCMV) (Uckun, et al., 2005).2005).

ConclusionsConclusions

Positive aspects outweigh negative ones?Positive aspects outweigh negative ones? Caution should be followed if pokeweed is Caution should be followed if pokeweed is

consumed.consumed. Important to boil the plant to remove the Important to boil the plant to remove the

toxins and discard the water.toxins and discard the water. Prevent small children from handling and Prevent small children from handling and

ingesting berries.ingesting berries. Control either by cutting down and digging up Control either by cutting down and digging up

roots or using an effective herbicide.roots or using an effective herbicide.

QuestionsQuestions