Abstract
Ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps parasitizing on cereals presents a high toxicity risk for animals and humans due to presence of its alkaloid content. Ergot-alkaloid toxicity occurs via their medicinal use however human poisoning from ergot plant is rare. The aim of this review is to determine the toxicity of ergot plant or ergotamine derivatives in humans. Databases such as Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science alongwith related books and theses as well as the library resources from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University were used whereas the Key words searched included; Ergot, Egotism, Ergotamine poisoning, Ergotamine interaction with HIV therapy, Ergotamine overdose, and report cases of ergotism. The relevant literature search suggests many toxicity cases and side effects associated with the use of ergot-alkaloids. More commonly it develops a condition known as ergotism i.e. a disease or toxic condition produced by eating ergot grains or rye or chronic use of ergot drug. The characteristic features of ergotism consist of painful and cold extremities. Furthermore, a notable and severe interaction of ergot-alkaloids was found in HIV patients using ergotamine and antiretroviral drugs together. Ergotamine which is one of ergot preparation has poisonous effect when taken in over dose and it interacts with antiretroviral drugs also.