Abrus Precatorius
| Name | Abrus Precatorius |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Abrus |
| Species | A. Precatorius |
| Common Names |
Gunchi or Rati Crab’s Eye Jequirity seed Rosary Pea seed |
Introduction:
- Abrus precatorius is a plant known for its irritant action and toxic properties.
- It is widely distributed throughout India and other tropical regions of the world.
- All parts of the Abrus precatorius plant contain toxins, but the seeds are particularly commonly used as a poison.
- When the raw seeds of Abrus precatorius are swallowed, they are not poisonous.
- However, the extract of these seeds, when injected under the skin in the form of "sui" (sharp needles), can cause symptoms similar to a viper bite.
- The injection of these suies can lead to local swelling (oedema), tissue death (necrosis), and bleeding at the injection site.
- Abrus precatorius can also cause agglutination of red blood corpuscles.
- This toxic preparation, made by powdering the seeds and mixing them with opium, onion, dhatura, and spirit or water, is used for both human and cattle poisoning.
- The suies, which are shaped into small sharp needles, are allowed to harden by drying in sunlight.
| Plant Characteristics | Active Part |
|---|---|
| It has 10-15 pairs of narrow leaves, small pinkish flowers with seedpods. When it is ripe, it exposes 4-6 seeds within seedpods. These seeds are bright red in color with a black spot on one pole, weighing about 105 mg. Earlier, these seeds were used for weighing gold by goldsmiths. | Whole plant is poisonous; however, the seed is more poisonous. The size of the seeds is as small as a small pea, about 0.80 cm long and 0.60 cm broad, with an average weight of 105 mg. The seeds are tasteless, odorless, oval, red in color, with a black spot on one pole. |
| Active Principle | Signs and Symptoms |
| Active principle is abrin, a toxalbumin. |
- The animal becomes apathetic and drowsy and is disinclined to take food. - In three or four days, it is unable to move, drops down, becomes comatose, and dies. - The symptoms resemble those of a viper snake bite, for which they may be mistaken. - Human poisoning is characterized by local painful swelling, ecchymosis followed by necrosis. - The patient suffers from vertigo, cardiac arrhythmia, convulsion, and death. - When ingested, there is nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and collapse. |
| Fatal Dose | Postmortem Appearances |
| 1-2 seeds orally or 90-120 mg abrin by injection. |
- The injured site is swollen, inflamed with necrosis. - Fragments of sui are found in the wound. - Hemorrhagic patches are also seen under the mucous membrane. - Internal organs are congested with hemorrhages |
| Fatal Period | Medicolegal Aspects |
| 1-5 days. |
- Suis are used to kill cattle. - Human poisoning is also recorded by keeping a sui-spike between fingers and giving a slap or injected into the contaminating wounds. - Malingerers use the powdered seeds to produce conjunctivitis to escape duty or work. - Abrus precatorius is also used as an arrow poison. |
Sign and Symptoms
| TOPICAL CONTACT | INGESTION | INJECTION |
|---|---|---|
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EXTRACTION
1. ETHER EXTRACTION
The seeds were crushed in a mortar.The crushed seeds were then added with DiethyEther.
Kept aside for 20-30 mins for the extraction.
2. ETHANOL EXTRACTION
Crushed seeds were added with Ethanol.Kept aside for few minutes for extraction.
Other organic solvents like acetic acid, acetone, methanol can be used for the extraction as well.
DETECTION TESTS
1. Fast Blue B-Potassium Hydroxide Test
To the dried residue of the extract in a porcelain basin,
a few drops of 5% ethanolic solution of Fast Blue B salt is added
followed by 2 drops of aqueous KOH solution.
A red to orange colour is observed.
2. Marquis Reagent Test
To the dried residue of extract, 2 drops of Marquis Reagent
(prepared by mixing 1 volume of formaldehyde solution with 9 volumes of concentrated Sulphuric Acid) is added.
A pink colour is formed.
3. Van Urk Reagent
To the dried residue of the extract, one drop of Van Urk Reagent (prepared by dissolving 1 gm. of p-amino benzaldehyde in 100 ml. ethanol and adding 10 ml. of Hydrochloric Acid).
A green colour changing to blue is observed.
4. Agglutination Test
Two drops of the aqueous solution of residue of the extract are added to 2 ml. of defibrinated blood (undiluted) in a small test tube.
The red blood corpuscles agglutinate into a mass like that of sealing wax.
