Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(2): 1102-1104

E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 A brief review on of precatorius in JEZS 2018; 6(2): 1102-1104 © 2018 JEZS animals Received: 05-01-2018 Accepted: 06-02-2018

Arjun Kafle Arjun Kafle, Sushree Sangita Mohapatra and Indrapal Reddy Veterinary officer, Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Pharma Abstract Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, Telengana, Although ornamental for humans, Abrus precatorius is not so when it comes to livestock. bears feather like with active ingredient concentrate in the mostly. Poisoning in both humans and Sushree Sangita Mohapatra animals are common due to the attractive appearance of the seed, shiny red color with black eye at the Teaching assistant, Department top. Malicious poisoning in cattle is very frequently encountered; the effected animal shows local signs of Pharmacology and of poisoning as necrosed lesions on the stabbed site. Crushed when consumed, exhibits series of Toxicology, College of Veterinary digestive disturbances viz. diarrhea, vomiton (in capable species) and severe dehydration to name a few. Science, Proddatur, Andhra Nevertheless, the seed when taken orally also imparts to systemic with signs such as Pradesh, India drowyness, staggering gait, coma, convulsion and death in severe cases. Line of treatment is based on the symptoms observed. Indrapal Reddy PhD, JNTU, Hyderabad, Keywords: Abrus precatorius, seeds, livestock, cattle, poisoning Telengana, India

1. Introduction Abrus precatorius, commonly known as Rosary Pea, is an ornamental plant native to India. The plant inhabits in subtropical climate. When supported by external source these reach a height of 10–20 ft. It bears alternate, compound, feather-like leaves, with small oblong leaflets while the flowers are numerous and appear in the axils along the stems [1]. The

flowers are also small and occur in clusters 1–3 inches long, usually red to purple, or occasionally white. The fruit is a legume about 3 cm long containing hard ovoid seeds about 1 cm long2 (Fig. 1). The plant contains a toxic ingredient, abrin which is composed of two chains. Chain A is responsible for halting protein synthesis by inhibiting the normal functioning of while chain B facilitates entry of chain A inside the target cell. The A-

chain attacks the 60S subunit of the ribosome and by cutting out elongation factor EF2, stops protein synthesis. It has been reported that upto 1500 are inactivated by a single molecule of abrin. The toxicity signs of abrin is quite similar to (toxic ingredient in Ricinus communis) however the former being the more toxic (fatal dose of abrin is 1/75th of ricin) [3]. The toxic entity lies in the oval shaped seeds. Poisoning in humans is common as

children get attracted to the bright red color seeds with a black eye at the top (hilus). Whole intact seeds when ingested it passes through the Gastrointestinal tract without absorption resulting in no toxicity. It is quite interesting to note that the seed in some pocket areas of India is used to make necklace by passing thread through the seeds (making a hole) and the necklace seeds are unintentionally swallowed by children while playing. Since the seed is not intact as it

has been perforated, gut enzymes react with the seed resulting in toxicity. Moreover, Biting of seeds by infants when used by mothers as ornaments frequently leads to accidental poisoning. Toxicity is characterized by nausea, vomition and convulsion4. Death may occur in severe case when unattained. This review briefly describes the toxicity profile of Abrus precatorius with clinical signs and possible line of treatment.

2. Local use of Abrus precatorius in India Dry leaves when made into hydro extract can be used to treat eye diseases [5]. Hot water extract of roots is used to stimulate menstrual flow. Seeds extract is used as an abortifacient [6] and Correspondence counter conception. Vaginal poultice prepared from seeds in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine is Arjun Kafle [7] Veterinary officer, Sri Anantha used as an abortifacient . Seeds are used as an aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic system of medicine [8] Padmanabha Swamy Pharma . Many reporters also claimed that the toxic entity in the seed can be destroyed by boiling. Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, Reports claimed that one single seed when opsonised with jaggary (gur) is consumed during Telengana, India the menstrual cycle prevents conception for one year [9]. ~ 1102 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Libido is enhanced by consuming the hot water extract of (animal/human) becomes drowsy, unable to move, and goes dried seeds orally in Unani medicine. Leaves extract when into coma; this is followed by convulsions and death. Reports administered intravaginally induce abortion [10]. suggested that abrin can lead to the development of cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, and cerebral edema [16]. 5. Diagnosis Diagnosis is made based on the history of the animal by the owner or animal attendant and clinical signs observed.

6. Pathological findings The pathological changes following crushed (masticated) seed intake leads to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis apart from fatty changes and necrosis of hepatocytes and renal tubules, pulmonary hemorrhages, edema, emphysema and erosions of abomasal and intestinal epithelium [17]. Local lesions in the injected area include necrosed and edematous muscle and the presence of petecheial hemorrhages in visceral organs as well as throughout the body. The signs and symptoms simulate viper snake bite- resembling an accidental cause. At the site of injection edema, inflammation and necrosis with oozing of blood stained fluid occurs. The animal loses its power of movement and is even unable to stand, becomes Source: www.ecrater.com drowsy and apathetic, does not like taking food and water, followed by tetanic convulsion. It becomes comatose and dies Fig 1: Abrus precatorius leaves, flowers and seeds. by 3 to 4 days [18].

3. Toxicity 7. Line of treatment in cattle Among livestocks cattle are prone to become victims when Due to the open field grazing of cattle in a country like ours, left for grazing in open field dominated by Abrus precatorius. amongst all, poisoning of Abrus precatorius is commonly The poisoning of cattle with Abrus is of interest owing to the observed in cattle hence line of treatment is restricted to the fact that it is one of the means employed for the malicious said species only. destruction of cattle; in India [11]. Low caste people in the Remove the animal from the poisoning site to prevent further community who deal with skins of animals for their ingestion. livelihood actively take part in such malicious poisoning Saline purgative (viz. magnesium sulphate) at the rate of 100- practices [12]. 200 g should be administered. Saline purgatives are poorly The seeds are crushed and mixed with water to make a paste. absorbed osmotic preparations that result in the secretion of The paste is then shaped into needles of about one inch in water in the intestines to maintain isotonicity with plasma length and is dried under sunlight until it becomes hard [19]. Magnesium sulfate exerts its purgative effect due to local enough to be injected [13]. Cattle grazing in neighbor’s field action in the intestinal tract, it is also possible that released are made to suffer as a means of grievance. The needles once hormones such as cholecystokinin or activation of constitutive injected initiates a series of reaction leading to Black Quarter nitric oxide synthase [20] may contribute to this like lesions and ultimately making the animal worthless. The pharmacological effect. substance so prepared are called Sui or Sitari hence poisoning Activated charcoal at the rate 250-500 g should be is very often referred by layman as Sui/Sutari poisoning. administered preferably as a suspension in water several However reports stated that spikes thus prepared are less minutes to 24 hrs after ingestion [21]. It can also be used as an active than freshly prepared powdered [14]. important ingredient of Universal antidote in combination

with kaolin, tannic acid and magnesium oxide. (Vegetable 4. Clinical signs of toxicity charcoal 10 g, Magnesium oxide 5 g, Kaolin 5 g and tannic Intact seeds when ingested by animal do not show any signs acid 5 g) [22] and symptoms as it is expelled wholly in excreta (dung). Alkalinity of urine is to be maintained to facilitate excretion However, when the seeds are masticated and swallowed, of absorbed by infusing sodium bicarbonate as 1.4% poisoning is displayed as local as well as systemic signs. solution 3 ml per 24 hours intravenously. When suspended in

water agents such as sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate 4.1 Local effects: Affected animal shows dermatitis and react to produce hydroxide ions, which are basic anions conjunctivitis as local effects. Oral consumption can produce capable of accepting and neutralizing protons like hydrogen severe gastroenteritis accompanied with severe pain, constant ions [23]. vomiting, watery diarrhea which later on changes to bloody, In case of sui injection, the local area is to be properly cleaned thirst, followed by circulatory collapse. Gastroenteritis when or fragments of the spike is dissected out as soon as possible. lasts for prolonged period may even cause death of the animal Anti-abrin serum should be used as an antidote. Calcium [15]. gluconate can be given to combat tetany. Circulation is to be

maintained and symptomatic treatment as required. 4.2 Systemic effects: When injected locally, animal exhibits

peculiar signs resembling to viper snake bite hence create 8. Conclusion confusion while diagnosing in most of the cases. The injured Abrus precatorius is an ornamental plant native to subtropical animal shows a series of inflammatory changes, with the site climatic zone. The ubiquitous nature of the plant is of injection turning edematous and hemorrhagic. The victim ~ 1103 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

responsible for poisoning in livestock (mainly cattle) owning 14. Elavarasan R, Senthil KR. Abrus precatorius and its ill to their open grazing habit. Toxicity may occur following effects. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science topical injection in the muscles of the limbs as a means of and Research. 2012; 3:1516-1519. grievance in rural India. The injected lesion shows a series of 15. Rajeev N. Heamatopathological changes in rats following inflammatory response which resembles snake bite due to experimental feeding of Abrus precatorius seeds. viperine species. The lesion overtime spreads further International journal of Pharmacology and. associated with edematous swelling and necrotizing myositis Phytochemical Reseach. 2012; 1(5):283-286. resembling black quarter like lesion. Masticated seeds on oral 16. Zachariah SM, Aleykutty NA, Viswanad V, Jacob S, ingestion results in gastroenteritis and hemorrhagic gastritis. Prabhakar V. In-vitro antioxidant potential of methanolic Prompt diagnosis and specific treatment (Anti-abrin Serum) extracts of Mirabilis jalapa Linn, Free Radicals and must be advocated whenever available to save the animal. Antioxidants. 2011; 1(4):82-86. Besides, line of treatment depends on the symptoms observed 17. Fernando R. Poisonous Plants: Abrus Precatorius L. which includes purgatives to hasten elimination of in the National Poison Information Centre, Colombo, 1998. GIT, activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of 18. Jain SP, Verma DM. Medicinal plants in the Folk-lore of toxicant from the GIT and keeping pH of the urine towards Northern Circle Dehradun Up India. National Academy basic to abolish tubular reabsorbtion and to increase rate of Science Letters. (India) 1981; 4(7):269-271. toxin elimination. Delay in treatment and unattained cases 19. Malhi BS, Trivedi VP. Vegetable anti-fertility drugs of may lead to loss of animal, partially or completely. India. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research. 1972; 12:19-22. 9. Acknowledgement 20. Das SK. Medicinal, Economic and useful plants of India. The authors are thankful to managing committee for Bally seed store, West Bengal, 1955. providing the facilities and moral support. 21. Burkhill IH. Dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and 10. References Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1966, 1. 1. Sama V, Reddy Y, Ramesh M, Swamy M, Mahadevan N, 22. Hikino HK, Aota P, Takemoto T. Structure and absolute Suresh B. Toxicological evaluation of Abrus precatorius. configuration of cyperotundone. Chemical and African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. 2008; Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 1966; 14:890. 2(4):83-88. 23. Vedavathy S, Rao KN, Rajaiah M, Nagaraju N. Folklore 2. Stripe F, Barbieri L. Symposium: Molecular Mechanisms information from Rayalaseema region, Andhra Pradesh of Toxicity, Toxic Lectins from Plants. Human for family planning and birth control. International Toxicology. 1986; 5(2):108-109. Journal of Pharmacognosy. 1991; 29(2):113-116. 3. Hart M. Jequirity bean Poisoning. New England Journal of Medicine. 1963; 268:885-886. 4. Frohne D, Pfander HJ ed. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants, Germany, Wolfe Publishing Ltd. 1983, 291. 5. Lembo A, Camilleri M. Current concepts: chronic constipation. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003; 349:1360-1368. 6. Harvey RF, Read AE. Saline purgatives act by releasing cholecystokinin. Lancet. 1973; 2:185-187. 7. Izzo AA, Gaginella TS, Capasso F. The osmotic and intrinsic mechanisms of the pharmacological laxative action of oral high doses of magnesium sulphate. Importance of the release of digestive polypeptides and nitric oxide. Magnesium Research. 1996; 9:133-138. 8. Desai VB, Sirsi M. Antimicrobial activity of Abrus Precatorius. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 1966; 28:164. 9. Julian Y. Toxic profile of Abrus precatorius. British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research. 2015; 13(1):256-263. 10. Manisha B, Siddiqui N, Sumeet G. Abrus Precatorius: An Evaluation of Traditional Herb. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2013; 3(4):11-19. 11. Roy J, Som S, Sen A. Isolation, purification, and some properties of a lectin and abrin from Abrus precatorius linn. Archieves of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 1976; 174:359-361. 12. Govindarajan R, Vijayakumar M, Pushpangadan P. Antioxidant approach to disease management and the role of ‘Rasayana’ herbs of . Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005; 99:165-178. 13. Ross I Totowa, Human Press, Medicinal Plants of the World: Chemical Constituents, Traditional and Medicinal Uses. 2003, 15-25.

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