October 12, 2025Open Access

Profile and consequences of intentional plant intoxication in Morocco: a retrospective study over a 13-year period

Key Points

Inappropriate use of plants leads to risks, with 189 cases of intentional intoxication reported affecting mainly young adults.
The study found suicide attempts as the primary cause of poisoning, with Atractylis gummifera being particularly implicated.
Most cases involved oral ingestion, resulting in serious disorders including renal failure and liver damage.
Outcomes varied, with 103 favorable cases; however, there were instances of fatalities and long-term sequelae.

Abstract

Inappropriate use of plants represents a significant public health risk that is often underestimated. This study aims to determine the profile and consequences of intentional plant intoxication in Morocco over a 13-year period. This study was based on a retrospective analysis of cases of intentional plant intoxication reported to the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre (MPCPC) between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2022. The significance level was set at 5%. During the study period, the MPCPC recorded 189 cases of intentional herbal intoxication, representing 9.37% of all herbal intoxications occurring during this period (2016 cases). The average age of the patients was 29.77 years, with the majority being young adults (68.25%), adolescents (14.28%) and children under 15 (7.93%). The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.41 (71.04% female). Suicide attempts were the main cause of poisoning (87 cases), with Atractylis gummifera being the most commonly implicated plant (17 cases). Twenty-two cases were related to abortions, mainly caused by Peganum harmala (45.45%), drug addiction (16 cases), of which Datura stramonium was the most incriminated plant (5 cases), and plant mixtures (63.63%) were the most commonly used in criminal activities (11 cases). The route of administration was mainly oral (162 cases). Digestive, neurological and cardiac disorders, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and liver damage were reported. The outcome was favourable in 103 cases, fatal in 4, including a 9-year-old girl who ingested Rumex divers, with sequelae in 2 cases and unknown in 80 cases. Calculation of the p-value revealed that several variables were highly significant. Inappropriate use of plants poses a significant risk to public health. It is essential to raise awareness of the dangers associated with these plants and to emphasise the importance of appropriate psychiatric support in cases of intentional intoxication.

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