A new screening method using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection can simultaneously identify and quantify thirteen plant alkaloids in human samples. The validated technique provides selective, accurate, and sensitive measurements of these compounds, which include both toxic and medicinal substances. Analysis of forensic and clinical specimens demonstrates the method's usefulness for detecting intoxications, monitoring drug abuse, and checking patient compliance with prescribed medications.
Tropane alkaloid-containing plants, especially Angel's trumpet, are the most commonly abused biogenic drugs reported to German Poison Information Centres, followed by psilocybin-containing mushrooms and nutmeg. Among 602 reported exposures from 2007-2013, 52% involved tropane alkaloid plants, 25% psilocybin mushrooms, and 10% nutmeg. Adolescents predominantly abused tropane alkaloid plants, while young adults used psilocybin mushrooms and school children used nutmeg. Over half of tropane alkaloid exposures caused moderate to severe effects, and more than 90% of cases involving tropane alkaloid or psilocybin plants required hospital surveillance. Common symptoms included dilated pupils, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and agitation. Nutmeg abuse cases unexpectedly increased over the study period, while overall abuse of biogenic drugs declined, possibly due to competition from synthetic designer drugs.