Ricinus Communis (Castor Oil Seeds) Flashcards
What is the toxic chemical in Ricinus communis (castor oil plant)?
Ricin
Ricin is the active principle in Ricinus communis.
What are the signs and symptoms of poisoning from Ricinus communis in GIT?
Burning throat
Salivation
Nausea
Painful vomit
Abdominal colic
Dehydration
These are the signs and symptoms of vegetable poison from Ricinus communis.
Which parts of Ricinus communis are poisonous?
seeds (crushed & eaten)
residue after oil extract
The whole plant
The seeds and residue after oil extract are the poisonous parts of Ricinus communis.
Which parts of Ricinus communis are non-poisonous?
entirely swallowed
after cooking
oil (used as a laxative and in cosmetics)
The entirely swallowed parts, parts consumed after cooking, and oil are non-poisonous parts of Ricinus communis.
What is the active principle of ricin?
Also called Toxalbumim or Phytotoxin
Destroys ribosomes (impacts protein synthesis)
Blood agglutination
Lysis of RBCs
Antigenic
What is the nature of castor oil seeds?
Oval
Glossy
Brown
Mottled (spotted)
Either large or small
What is the treatment?
{{ Croton has the same treatment as ricinus}}
No antidote
Symptomatic treatment only
What is the fatal dose of ricinus communis?
6mg of ricin
Or
10 seeds
What is the fatal period of ricinus communis ?
Several days
What are the PM findings of ricinus communis poisoning?
{{ Same for croton}}
Fragments of seeds in stomach
Inflamed bowel
Erosions of submucosa
Hemorrhage of internal organs
What is the medicolegal importance of ricinus communis poisoning?
Accidental by children
Homicidal given in food
Local irritation of the skin (nose eyes) by the powder
What symptoms appear in CNS with ricinus communis poisoning?
Coma
Convulsions before death
What symptoms appear in muscles and on skin with ricinus poison?
Cramps in muscles
Dermititis, conjuctivitis , rhinitis when skin gets in contact with the ricinus seed dust
The small ricinus seeds resemble which poison’s seeds?
Croton tiglium
