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Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety

Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2025, Pages 8–13

ISSN 2411-3174 (print version) ISSN 2411-0388 (online version)

MECHANISMS OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF DRACAENA COMPOUNDS ON CATS AND THE CONCEPT OF THERAPEUTIC MEASURES (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Rybachuk Zh. V.

Polissia National University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine, e-mail: zhrybochka@gmail.com

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Citation for print version: Rybachuk, Zh. V. (2025) ‘Mechanisms of the toxic effects of Dracaena compounds on cats and the concept of therapeutic measures (literature review)’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 11(2), pp. 8–13.

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Citation for online version: Rybachuk, Zh. V. (2025) ‘Mechanisms of the toxic effects of Dracaena compounds on cats and the concept of therapeutic measures (literature review)’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 11(2), pp. 8–13. DOI: 10.36016/JVMBBS-2025-11-2-2.

Summary. Due to their external characteristics, ability to reduce bisphenol A, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene levels in the air, and lack of special growing requirements, Dracaena plants are used for interior landscaping in residential and office spaces. The most common species are D. fragrans, D. surculosa, and D. sanderiana. Dracaena is placed indoors in bright areas where cats rest. The presence of a pleasant, specific odor when the leaves or flowers are damaged, due to the presence of multicomponent essential oils that irritate the senses, promotes the chewing of plant parts by companion animals. Consequently, veterinarians have recently reported an increase in cases of cat poisoning caused by Dracaena species. The study aims to analyze scientific studies of the content of toxic substances in Dracaena and their toxicodynamics in the organism of companion animals. Dhar, Maji and Ghosh (2013), Julsrigival, Julsrigival and Chansakaow (2020) and Ye et al. (2021) report on the spectrum of chemicals found in the flowers of D. fragrans. Julsrigival, Julsrigival and Chansakaow (2020) used solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identification to isolate 30 chemicals from Dracaena flowers overnight. Only eight of these chemicals (benzyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, 3‑hydroxyl‑4‑4‑phenyl‑2‑2‑butanone, methylene glycol, α‑bergamotene, α‑farnesene, and tetradecanal) were found in amounts greater than 4%. The amount of each substance varied depending on the time of day. The plant synthesized most of the substances from 8 p. m. to 10 a. m. During the day, however, α-farnesene was dominant at 23.1–50.8%. It has a green apple smell, and the LD₅₀ for rats when ingested orally is 1.5 g/kg body weight, and for rabbits when applied dermally is > 5 g/kg body weight. In general, all the substances identified by scientists have a local irritating effect and are low-toxic. In 2010, Calderón et al. reported that D. fragrans contains substances with anticholinesterase activity that excite M‑ and H‑cholinergic receptors in animals. Therefore, the specific antidotes are acetylcholinesterase reagents or a 1% atropine sulfate solution administered subcutaneously. In the scientific articles by Zheng et al. (2004) and Rezgui et al. (2015), it was published that all species of the genus Dracaena contain steroidal saponins. Xu et al. (2010) identified six new representatives of angudrakanosides A‑F in the stems of D. angustifolia. Steroidal saponins are irritating and cause lacrimation, vomiting, and diarrhea. They form insoluble complexes with proteins and binders. Therefore, the goal of antidote therapy for suspected Dracaena poisoning is to reduce irritation caused by essential oils and steroidal saponins, as well as to restore the functional state of M‑ and H‑cholinergic receptors

Keywords: Dracaena fragrans, α‑farnesene, acetylcholesterase inhibitors, steroidal saponins, essential oils

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