CHAPTER 45

Organic Irritants—Plant

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Toxalbumin or phytotoxin is a toxic protein that disable ribosomes
and thereby inhibit protein synthesis, and present in the plants
Distribution: It grows all over India, especially in like in castor, croton or rati.
wastelands.  It is antigenic in nature, agglutinates red cells, causes hemolysis


and cell destruction.
 Toxalbumins are similar in structure to the toxins found in
Identification of Seeds (Fig. 45.1)


cholera, tetanus, diphtheria, pseudomonas and botulinum; and
„ Seeds are variable, smooth, flattened-oval, mottled with their physiological and toxic properties are similar to those of
„
light and dark brown markings, bright and polished. viperine snake venom.
„ They are of 2 sizes, small and big.
Action
„
„ Small seeds are about 1.2 × 0.8 cm in dimensions
„
and resemble croton seeds. „ Ricin blocks protein synthesis through inhibition of
„
RNA polymerase. It belongs to a group of poisons
Active Principle known as A-B toxins.
„ The entire plant is poisonous, containing toxalbumin „ Ricin has a special binding protein that gains access
„
„
ricin, a water-soluble glycoprotein and a powerful to the endoplasmic reticulum in the GIT mucosal
allergen. Seeds contain the highest level. cells causing diarrhea.
„ They are also rich in purgative oil. Castor oil is not
Signs and Symptoms
„
poisonous as it does not contain ricin.
Unbroken seeds are not poisonous when swallowed or cooked. Dust of seeds may cause:
Toxicity is caused when castor beans are thoroughly „ Watering of eyes and Acute nasal inflamma-
„

�

chewed or blenderized, even though the quantity of ricin conjunctivitis tion and sneezing


so produced is small and is poorly absorbed from the GIT. „ Headache, pharyngitis Asthmatic bronchitis
„

�

„ Gastric upset Dermatitis
„

�

On ingestion [seen within 10 hours (h) of ingestion]
„ GIT: Burning pain in throat, colicky abdominal pain/
„
cramping, nausea, thirst, vomiting and diarrhea (often
bloody).
„ CNS: Vertigo, drowsiness, delirium, convulsions
„
and coma.
„ Uremia, jaundice, rapid feeble pulse, cold clammy
„
skin and dehydration.
Consciousness is retained till death in some cases.
Fatal dose: 1–10 µg/kg body wt (by inhalation or
injection). Oral exposure to ricin is far less toxic, and
lethal dose is about 2 mg/kg (10–20 seeds).
Fatal period: 3–5 days.

Treatment
No known antidote or other specific treatment, although
Fig. 45.1: Ricinus communis (seeds) a vaccine has been developed by the US military.

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518 Review of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

„ After suspected ricin inhalation or exposure to

„
powdered ricin, remove clothings and wash skin
with water.
„ In case of ingestion:
„
i. Gastric lavage.


ii. Emetics and demulcents.


iii. Administration of glucose and saline for


dehydration.
iv. 2–5 g of sodium bicarbonate is given 8 hourly


by mouth to alkalinize the urine.
v. Blood transfusion may be needed in some patients.


Postmortem Findings
Deaths caused by ingestion of castor plant seeds are
rare, because of its indigestible capsule. Fig. 45.2: Croton tiglium (seeds)
i. Mucosa of the GIT is congested, softened and


inflamed with occasional erosions and submucous Active Principles
hemorrhages.
ii. Fragments of seeds may be found in the stomach All parts are poisonous, but seeds contain the maximum
concentration of the active principles. Crotin, a toxalbumin


and intestines.

­
and crotonoside, a glycoside are the active principles.
iii. Dilation of heart, hemorrhages in the pleura, edema


and congestion of the liver, kidneys, spleen and
Signs and Symptoms
lungs may be seen.
„ On ingestion, there is hot burning pain from the
„
Medico-legal Aspects mouth to stomach, salivation, nausea, vomiting,
purging, vertigo and bloody stools with severe
Accidental poisoning may occur in children, rarely, griping pain, followed by prostration, circulatory
powdered seeds are given for homicide. The powdered and respiratory collapse and death.
seeds causes conjunctivitis when applied to the eye. „ Applied to the skin, the oil produces burning,
„
redness and vesication.
 Chemical warfare: The toxin has been linked with terrorist

activity among anti-government militia in the US and the Al Fatal dose: 4 crushed seeds or 3 drops of oil (1.5 ml).
Qaeda, and was supposedly used by the Bulgarian secret service
in 1978 to assassinate a Bulgarian dissident in what is known Fatal period: 6 h to 3 days.
as ‘The Case of the Umbrella Murder’.
 Ricin is commonly used as part of immunotoxins for clinical Treatment

tumor research and application in cancer therapy.
i. Stomach wash.


ii. Administration of demulcent drinks, like milk or


Croton Tiglium (Jamalgota) egg white.
iii. Morphine with atropine to allay pain and reduce


Distribution: It grows all over India, and belongs to intestinal secretions.
Euphorbiaceous family. The processed seeds are used iv. Glucose and saline are given IV to combat collapse


in Indian medicine for treating flatulence, dyspepsia, and dehydration.
colic, edema, dyspnea and persistent cough. Postmortem findings: Same as castor.

Identification of Seeds (Fig. 45.2) Medico-legal Aspects

„ Seeds are 1.2 × 0.8 cm in dimensions. „ Accidental poisoning results from swallowing croton
„
Oval or oval-oblong and odorless.
„
„ oil by mistake.
„
„ Dark brown or brownish-gray shell. „ Suicide and homicide is rare.
„
„
„ Resemble castor seeds, but they are not shiny and „ Root and oil are taken internally as an abortifacient.
„
„
not mottled. „ Oil is used as an arrow poison.
„
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