TOXINS
A discussion of toxins first necessitates the understanding and distinction between the toxicological terms toxicant and toxin. A toxicant is any chemical, of natural or synthetic origin, capable of causing a deleterious effect on a living organism. A toxin is a toxicant that is produced by a living organism and is not used as a synonym for toxicant—all toxins are toxicants, but not all toxicants are toxins. Toxins, whether produced by animals, plants, insects, or microbes are generally metabolic products that have evolved as defense mechanisms for the purpose of repelling or killing predators or pathogens. The action of natural toxins has long been recognized and understood throughout human history. For example, ancient civilizations used natural toxins for both medicinal (therapeutic) and criminal purposes. Even today, we continue to discover and understand the toxicity of natural products, some for beneficial pharmaceutical or therapeutic purposes whose safety and efficacy are ...