Incidents of poisoning or any other adverse effects to animals or
humans by the plant VIBURNUM ODORATISSIMUM

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 24 Sep 2004 18:00 PDT

Most of the literature on virburnum odoratissimum treat it as
relatively innocuous -- no reports in humans or animals of toxic
effects from eating plant parts, or from contact with the skin.

There are some indications that the shrub may evoke some allergic
reactions when it is in flower, and producing pollen...this is the
only adverse effect of note, but it is mentioned almost in
passing...there doesn't seem to be any detailed information on this.

Extracts from v. odoratissimum are being studied by a few scientists
for possible roles as a anti-cancer agent (that is, the extracts are
toxic to cancer cells).

That's about it.  If that seems enough information to warrant an
answer, let me know, and I'll post links to the relevant resources,
along with summaries of the available information.

If not, let us know that as well, and let us know what additional
information you hope to obtain.

Thanks.

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by cildara-ga on 25 Sep 2004 14:49 PDT

Thank you.That is all the information we require.

cildara-ga,


Thanks for getting back to me on this.   I'm glad to hear my
suggestion met your needs.

I've listed below several sources of information on the toxicity (or
lack thereof) of Viburnum odoratissimum.

Before rating this answer, please let me know if you need any
additional information.   Just post a Request for Clarification, and
I'll be happy to assist you further.

pafalafa-ga

==========

There's a good, detailed overview of the known information on V.
odoratissimum at this entry from the Compleat Botanica:

http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/VI/Viburnum%20odoratissimum.htm

Genus  Viburnum 
Species  odoratissimum 
Variety  Cultivar  

Adverse factors:

Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  -- no 
Dermatologic poison  -- no 
Livestock poison  -- no 
Mechanical injury  -- no 
Hay fever pollen, Hay fever season, Adverse qualities --   [no entry] 


Has medicinal uses--no 
Do not self-administer--no 
Do not use if pregnant-- no 
Legally restricted --no 
Toxicity precautions [no entry]
Is edible -- no


==========

This link is a summary of a scientific paper that evaluated some
chemicals extracted from V. odoratissimum for their use as an
anti-cancer agent:


Viburnum ODORATISSIMUM
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14738390

J Nat Prod. 2004 Jan;67(1):74-7

Vibsane diterpenoids from the leaves and flowers of Viburnum odoratissimum.

Shen YC, Lin CL, Chien SC, Khalil AT, Ko CL, Wang CH.
Institute of Marine Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70
Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung, 80424 Taiwan, Republic of China.
ycshen@mail.nsysu.edu.tw

"...four new diterpenes...,were isolated from an acetone extract of
the leaves and flowers of Viburnum odoratissimum... The compounds were
evaluated for cytotoxicity against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma..."


==========

For some reason, this link that was available the other day is not
opening at the time I am writing this:


http://www.floridata.com/ref/v/viburn_o.cfm



However, the site is included in Google's cache at:

http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:3y0vIlm-qwsJ:www.floridata.com/ref/v/viburn_o.cfm+%22Viburnum+odoratissimum%22&hl=en


and it makes mention of the potential irritating effects on some
people of V. odoratissimum when in bloom:


"...In early spring the sweet viburnum blooms producing cluster of
small waxy flowers that are pleasantly fragrant (although some may
find the pollen irritating)."


==========

Those are the main sources of information on the effects (adverse or
otherwise) of this fairly common plant.


As I said above, just let me know if you need any additional information.


pafalafa-ga



search strategy:  Google searches on:

Viburnum odoratissimum
Viburnum odoratissimum ~toxic
Viburnum odoratissimum ~adverse