GC/MS comparison of the West Indian aphrodisiac "Love Stone" to the Chinese medication "chan su": bufotenine and related bufadienolides

J Forensic Sci. 1996 Nov;41(6):1068-73.

Abstract

The death of a 23-year-old man resulting from digoxin-like toxicity and heart failure was attributed to ingestion of a West Indian aphrodisiac known as "Love Stone." GC/MS analyses identified bufotenine, a controlled substance under both US and New York State statutes. In addition, a series of bufadienolides, namely resibufogenin, bufalin, and cinobufagin, were also identified. Bufadienolides, which are derived from toad venom or secretions, are cardiotonic steroids that cause symptoms similar to digoxin. GC/MS analyses of the Chinese medication "Chan Su," a product derived from toads, produced a highly similar elution profile and contained the same compounds as "Love Stone." The data demonstrate that the aphrodisiac was also derived from toads.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aphrodisiacs / poisoning*
  • Bufanolides / chemistry
  • Bufotenin / isolation & purification
  • Bufotenin / poisoning*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Forensic Medicine / methods*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Hallucinogens / poisoning*
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / poisoning
  • Male

Substances

  • Aphrodisiacs
  • Bufanolides
  • Hallucinogens
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Bufotenin