it is a ppt on riccinus communis in ayurveda eranda a vathara but in this we discuss about toxicolgy of this drug

1. RICCINUS COMMUNIS
Distrubution: It grows all over India ,especially in wastelands
Identification:-
•seeds are variable, smooth, flatened-oval mottled with light
and dark
Brown markings , bright and polished .
•They are of 2 sizes, small and big.
•Small seeds are about 1.2x0.8 cm in dimensions and
resembled croton seed.

2. Active Principal
• The entire plant is poisonous, containing
toxalbumin ricin a water-soluble
glycoprotiens and a powerful allergen.
Seed contain the highest level.
• They are also rich in purgative oil is not
poisonous as it does not contain ricin.

3. Action
• Ricin block proteins synthesis through
inhibition of RNA polymerase. It belongs
to a group of poisions known as A-B
toxins.
• Ricin has a special bindings protiens that
gains access to the endoplasmic
reticulum in the GIT muscosal cells
causings diarrhea.

4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Dust of seeds may cause:
• Watering of eyes and and conjuctivitis
• Acute nasal inflammation and sneezing
• Headache, pharyngitis
• Gastric upset
• Asthamatic bronchitis
• dermatitis

5. On ingestion
• GIT: burning pain in the throat, colicky
abdominal
pain/cramping,nauesea,thrist
• CNS: vertilago, drowsiness, delirium,
cvonvulsion
• Uremia, jaundice,rapid feeble pulse,cold
cramps

6. Fatal dose
• 1-10 g/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).

7. Fatal period:
• 3-5 days.

8. Treatment
• No known antidote or other specific
treatment, although
• a vaccine has been developed by the US
military.
• After suspected ricin inhalation or
exposure to
• powdered ricin, remove clothings and
wash skin with water

9. • 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.

10. Postmortem Findings
• Deaths caused by ingestion of castor
plant seeds are rare,because of its
indigestible capsule.
• Mucosa of the GIT is congested, softened
and inflamed with occasional erosions
and submucous
• hemorrhages.
• ii. Fragments of seeds may be found in
the stomach and intestines.

11. • Dilation of heart, hemorrhages in the
pleura, edema
• and congestion of the liver, kidneys,
spleen and lungs may be seen.

12. Medico-legal Aspects
• Accidental poisoning may occur in
children; rarely,powdered seeds are
given for homicide.
• The powder of seeds causes
conjunctivitis when applied to the eye.