Fading into Tullidora Tree

Can Lipoic Acid Ease 'Tullidora' Poisoning?

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unpacking a study on a common plant toxin in Mexico and its surprising treatment results."

In northern Mexico and the southern United States, Karwinskia humboldtiana—known locally as "tullidora" or "coyotillo"—grows. While it might look harmless, this shrub packs a toxic punch. Accidentally eating its fruit can lead to a condition similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome, causing progressive paralysis that, in severe cases, can be fatal due to respiratory failure. Adding to the challenge, there’s no proven specific treatment to counteract this poisoning.

The damage caused by 'tullidora' poisoning is characterized by demyelination, where the protective coating around nerve fibers breaks down. Past research has shown that a toxin found in the plant's seeds, T-514, can increase free radicals—unstable molecules that can damage cells—in lab settings. Because free radicals have been linked to demyelination in other nerve disorders like diabetic neuropathy, scientists wondered if an antioxidant like lipoic acid might help.

A recent study, as published in International Journal of Morphology, investigated whether lipoic acid could alleviate the nerve damage and clinical signs of 'tullidora' poisoning in rats. The results, however, were not what researchers had hoped for. This article explores the study's methods, findings, and what they mean for understanding and potentially treating 'tullidora' poisoning.

The Lipoic Acid Experiment: A Shot in the Dark?

Researchers designed an experiment to see if lipoic acid could counteract the effects of 'tullidora' poisoning. They divided rats into different groups, some receiving lipoic acid before being exposed to the toxic fruit and others receiving it afterward. The goal was to mimic potential treatment scenarios and see if the antioxidant could prevent or reverse the nerve damage.

Here’s a breakdown of how the rat groups were organized:

AAL-Kh: Received lipoic acid before exposure to Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) fruit.
Kh-AAL: Received lipoic acid after exposure to Kh fruit.
AM-Kh: Received a control substance (corn oil) before Kh fruit exposure.
Kh-SS: Received a saline solution after Kh fruit exposure.
AAL-AM: Received lipoic acid before a control substance (corn oil).
A-AAL: Received lipoic acid followed by saline solution.
AM-A: Received corn oil.
A-SS: Received saline solution.

The rats were closely monitored for clinical signs of poisoning, such as difficulty breathing, weakness, and changes in gait. After a set period, the scientists examined the rats' nerve tissues to assess the extent of demyelination and other damage. Unfortunately, the results showed that lipoic acid didn't provide a protective effect against 'tullidora' poisoning. In some cases, the rats that received lipoic acid even seemed to fare worse, showing a worsening of clinical signs.

Why Didn't Lipoic Acid Work?

The study's disappointing results suggest that free radicals may not be the primary culprit behind the nerve damage caused by 'tullidora' poisoning. Other mechanisms may be at play, such as direct toxicity from other compounds in the plant or inflammation-related processes.

The researchers also pointed out that 'tullidora' can cause kidney and liver damage, which could interfere with how the body processes and eliminates drugs like lipoic acid. This could explain why the treatment wasn't effective and, in some cases, seemed to worsen the condition.

While lipoic acid didn't prove to be the answer in this study, it highlights the complexity of 'tullidora' poisoning and the need for further research to identify effective treatments. Scientists are now looking into whether 'tullidora' fruit leads to other damage, like in the central nervous system. Further research could shine light on more effective treatment.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4067/s0717-95022012000200035, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluación Del Efecto Del Tratamiento Con Acido Lipoico Administrado A La Rata Wistar Intoxicada Con El Fruto De Karwinskia Humboldtiana

Subject: Anatomy

Journal: International Journal of Morphology

Publisher: SciELO Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID)

Authors: Jaime García-Juárez, Martha Elizabeth Salazar-Leal, Santos Guzmán-López, Víktor Javier Romero-Díaz, Rosalba Ramírez-Durón, Julio Sepúlveda-Saavedra

Published: 2012-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is 'tullidora' poisoning, and what are its effects?

The plant known as *Karwinskia humboldtiana*, or 'tullidora,' contains toxins that can cause paralysis, mimicking the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome. This paralysis occurs due to demyelination, where the protective coating of nerve fibers breaks down, potentially leading to respiratory failure and death in severe cases. The absence of a specific treatment makes understanding and finding effective interventions critical to manage this poisoning.

What role did lipoic acid play in the study?

Lipoic acid is an antioxidant, and the study explored its potential in mitigating the nerve damage caused by 'tullidora' poisoning. The rationale was based on previous research linking free radicals to demyelination in other nerve disorders. Scientists hypothesized that lipoic acid, by acting as an antioxidant, might reduce the damage. However, the study's findings did not support this hypothesis, as lipoic acid did not demonstrate any protective effects.

How was the study designed, and what methods were used?

The study involved exposing rats to *Karwinskia humboldtiana* fruit and administering lipoic acid in different scenarios, either before or after exposure. The researchers monitored the rats for clinical signs of poisoning, such as breathing difficulties, weakness, and gait changes. They also examined the rats' nerve tissues to assess the extent of demyelination. There were several groups: AAL-Kh, Kh-AAL, AM-Kh, Kh-SS, AAL-AM, A-AAL, AM-A, and A-SS, each receiving lipoic acid, control substances, or saline solutions in different sequences to evaluate lipoic acid's effect under various treatment timelines.

Why didn't lipoic acid work in this context?

The disappointing results suggest that free radicals might not be the main cause of nerve damage in 'tullidora' poisoning. Other mechanisms could be at play, such as direct toxicity from other compounds within the *Karwinskia humboldtiana* plant or inflammatory processes. This points towards the need for further investigation to understand the precise mechanisms of action of the toxins and to identify effective treatments for this type of poisoning, which currently has no known specific treatment.

What are the broader implications of these research findings?

The implications of this study are significant. Firstly, it highlights that lipoic acid is not an effective treatment for 'tullidora' poisoning, which means that a different approach is needed. Secondly, the study directs the research to examine other mechanisms, such as the role of direct toxicity from other compounds in *Karwinskia humboldtiana* or inflammation. Furthermore, since there is no specific treatment, the research can focus on developing effective interventions to address this poisoning's devastating effects, like paralysis and respiratory failure, and improve patient outcomes.