Colocynth(Bitter Apple)

Question 1

What is colocynth obtained from?

Answer 1

From the dried pulp of the fruit of CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS

Question 2

What is thw nature of COLOCYNTHIS pulp?

Answer 2

The pulp is called colocynth
It’s white spongy and bitter in taste

Question 3

What’s the active principle of bitter apple?

Answer 3

A resinous glycoside COLOCYNTHIN
It’s a proved irritant of GIT.

The non sugar part of the glycoside is toxic

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms that appear with colocynth poison ingested?

Answer 4

Abdominal pain
yellow vomit
yellow watery stool (at times blood stained)
Collapse (sometimes death)

Question 5

What is the fatal dose of bitter apple?

Answer 5

1 to 2 gm

Question 6

What’s the fatal period of colocynth?

Answer 6

May vary from 24 hrs to few days

Question 7

What’s the treatment for bitter apple?

Answer 7

Generalized
Symptomatic
Dopamine

Question 8

What’s the PM findings of colocynth poisoning?

Answer 8

Irritated git
Inflamed urinary tract (kidney, bladder)

Question 9

What’s the medicolegal importance of colocynth poisoning?

Answer 9

Suicidal
Abortion (causes congestion of pelvic viscera)