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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 26, Number 4, May/June,
pp.257-262
CASE REPORT: An Unusual Case of Death: Suffocation Caused by Leaves of Common
Ivy (Hedera helix). Detection of Hederacoside C, a-Hederin, and Hederagenin
by LC-EI/MS-MS
Yvan Gaillard[1], Pierre Blaise[2], Alexandre Darré[1],
Thierry Barbier[2], and
Gilbert Pépin[1]
[1]Laboratoire d’Expertises TOXLAB, 7 rue Jacques Cartier, 75018 Paris,
France and
[2]Thermo Finnigan France, 12 avenue des Tropiques, ZA
de Courtaboeuf, BP 141,
91944 Les Ulis cedex, France
We report one fatal case of asphyxia caused by leaves of common ivy. Macroscopic
examination of the corpse during the autopsy disclosed an incredible quantity
of leaves of Hedera helix in the mouth and throat of the decedent. In order
to rule out the possibility of poisoning by the toxic saponins contained in
the plant, we have developed an efficient LC–EI/MS–MS assay of
hederacoside C, a-hederin, and hederagenin in biological fluids and plant material.
Sample cleanup involved solid-phase extraction of the toxins on C18 cartridges
followed by LC analysis under reversed-phase conditions in the gradient elution
mode. Solute identification was performed using full scan MS–MS spectrum
of the analytes. Oleandrine was used as internal standard. Under these conditions,
saponins in powdered dried leaves of Hedera helix were measured at a concentration
of 21.83 mg/g for hederacoside C, 0.41 mg/g for a-hederin and 0.02 mg/g for
hederagenin. No toxin was detected in cardiac blood, femoral blood, or urine
of the deceased, but hederacoside C was quantitated at 857 ng/mL in the gastric
juice. These findings led us to conclude that the man committed suicide and
that the death was caused by suffocation by leaves of common ivy. Reproduction
of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s
permission.
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