Poke Salet:

1. Poke Salet: “the Myth, the Menace, the Miracle” Justin Duncan Yan Ren Jin Hee Haejin Bae Justin Butcher

2. Phytolacca americana • Largest member of the Phytolaccaceae in North America. • Phytolaccaceae is found within the Caryophyllidae, which also includes the cacti, Chenopodiums, amaranths, Portulacas and Polygonums. • Most of these families lack anthocyanins, which are replaced by betalains.

3. Phytolacca americana • Tall, many branched perennial herb arising from large rootstock. • This large root is said to have a man-shape. • The berries are very dark purple-black and can be used to make ink.

5. Distribution of P. americana

6. Where can I find some? • Poke grows in: damp woods waste places roadsides many back yards

7. Food Uses • Poke salet greens (potherb) • Fried with eggs and diced onions • Fried breaded young stems • Poke berry pie • Poke berry wine

8. Other uses • Fabric dye • Dietary supplement? • Herbicide • Molluscide

9. “The Myth” • Poke salet is a magical plant that purges evil spirits from the human body. • Especially good for tumors of the breast. • Berries eaten by arthritis sufferers for relief.

10. thyroid problems chest pain fungal skin infections eczema impetigo ulcers stomach cancer cysts alterative Cathartic constipation anti-syphilitic antiscorbutic tonic. “The Myth” Traditional healers (Jethro Kloss, John Lee) used poke for:

11. Disadvantages and Negative Aspects of Pokeweed “The Menace”

12. Disadvantages and Negative Aspects of Pokeweed • Characterization as a weed. • Possibly possesses allelochemical properties. • Interferes with competing species by releasing phenolic compounds present in leaf extracts causing inhibition of growth and other changes in root-tip cells (Kim et al., 2005).

13. Toxicity • All parts are mildly poisonous when consumed. • Root (most toxic: contains saponins, mitogenic acting glycoproteins, etc.) • Leaves and stems (moderate) • Berries (smallest quantity of poison) • Seeds (very toxic but hard seed coat) • Thorough cooking reduces toxicity levels. • Boiling twice and discarding water has proven to be effective. • Should be avoided if taking anti-depressants, fertility drugs, and women who are pregnant. American Cancer Society, 2007

14. Burning / bitter taste Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal cramps Headaches Blurred vision Confusion Dizziness Weakness Convulsions Rapid heart rate Muscle spasms Paralysis of respiratory organs Even death Effects of Consuming Uncooked Pokeweed American Cancer Society, 2007

15. Horses Colic Diarrhea Respiratory failure Cattle General symptoms Decrease in milk production Swine Unsteadiness Inability to rise Jerking movements in legs. Clinical Signs in Animals Wikipedia, 2007

16. Dangerous Compounds in Pokeweed • Alkaloid (phytolaccine) • Resin (phytolaccatoxin) • Saponin (phytolaccigenin) • Phytolaccoside E (main one) - strong irritant. • Lectin • Cause red blood cells to clump together and may stimulate abnormal cell division in B and T-lymphocytes (Armstrong, 2000). Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 2007

17. Reported Cases • Eastern North America during the 19th century • Poisonings were common; mistaken for parsnip or Jerusalem artichoke. • Rhode Island in 1961. • Child (2 years of age) died from what was initially perceived as result of ingesting pokeweed berries. • Physicians recommended “the plant should be handled with caution” (Kingsbury, 1980). • Practice of brewing pokeweed with hot water to make tea -> poisoning (American Cancer Society, 2007).

18. Reported Cases Continued • Barker et al. (1966) studied serial blood films of children. • Large cells similar to plasmablasts were found in blood films two weeks following exposure. A cell from blood of a child exposed to pokeberry showing non-specific morphologic changes. A mitotic mononuclear cell in blood of a child who ingested several pokeberries 10 days prior to examination.

19. Lazarus et al. (1998) found a decline in serum glucose levels in mice 24 hours after receiving 15 mg/kg of pokeweed mitogen (PKW). Development of anorexia. Significant decline in body weight after three days. 10% reduction in carcass weights. Reported Cases Continued

20. Advantages and Positive Aspects of Pokeweed “The Miracle”

21. Advantages and Positive Aspects of Pokeweed • Used as a homeopathic remedy for various ailments. • Berries used to make ink in Pennsylvania Dutch regions. • Pomade extract from roots used for skin eruptions, skin rash, and ringworms. • Pokeroot constituents shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties and lowering blood pressure effects. • “Pokeroot antiviral protein” (PAP) has potential for treatment of HIV and herpes. American Cancer Society, 2007

22. Advantages Continued • PAP has also shown to have anti-tumor effects in mice. • Pokeweed can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, tonsillitis, mumps, swollen glands, bronchitis, mastitis, etc. • As an herb, it is effective for joint inflammation, ulcers, etc. • External application of a preparation made from the plant has “claimed” to relieve itching, inflammation, and skin diseases. American Cancer Society, 2007

23. Components Found in Pokeweed Structures of (I) phytolacccagenin, (II) oleanic acid, and (III) betanin

24. Reported Cases • In rodents, research showed that PAP demonstrated anti-cancer effects (American Cancer Society, 2007). • PAP combined with an immunotherapy drug (TP-3) has shown promise as a potential treatment for some soft tissue sarcomas (Anderson et al., 1995). • Studies in the lab have found certain formulations of PAP may be useful against cancer cells involved in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer (American Cancer Society, 2007).

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

26. Conclusions • Positive aspects outweigh negative ones? • Caution should be followed if pokeweed is consumed. • Important to boil the plant to remove the toxins and discard the water. • Prevent small children from handling and ingesting berries. • Control either by cutting down and digging up roots or using an effective herbicide.

27. Questions