Castor and Croton are categorized as vegetable poisons commonly found in nature. In fact, castor is the world’s most common poison. Both poisons are easily available to human beings, therefore accidental and suicidal poisoning is very common.
In this article, we have described every aspect of both poisons in detail.
Ricinus communis
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malpighiates
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Ricinus
Species: communis
Common name: Castor, arandi
Morphology
- Castor plants are tall plants that grow all over India. The East African nation of Ethiopia is the native home of the castor plant. It thrives in warm, temperate, and tropical climates all over the world and is increasingly becoming a weed in the southwest of the United States.
- The plant bears lobate leaves with toothed margins.
- The fruits are globular and clustered with spiny projections over the capsule. The fruit contains castor seeds.
- Seeds are flattened-oval in shape and are available in two sizes. Large variety seeds are mottled, dark brown in color with a shiny hard seed coat. Small variety seeds are about 1 to 2 cm X 0.8 cm in size and resemble croton seeds.
- The castor oil plant, or Ricinus communis L, is the only member of the genus Ricinus and the subtribe Ricininae of plant species in the family Euphorbiaceae.
- The perennial herb Ricinus is erect, branching, and usually grows no higher than two meters. The rectangular, light brown beans are speckled with dark brown dots.
- Only when the outer shell is cracked or bitten is the seed considered poisonous.
- After the oil is extracted from the beans, ricin is found in the bean pulp. No ricin is believed to be present in the oil, and it is inactivated during the extraction if done under heated conditions.
- Toxic parts of plants: All parts of the plant but seeds are more toxic.
- Toxic Principle- Ricin (toxalbumin)
Mechanism of Action
Ricin is a ribosome-inactivating toxin composed of two polypeptide chains (A and B). These chains are connected by a disulfide bond. When ricin enters through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), chain “B” binds the cell surface and chain “A” enters into the cytoplasm. Chain “A” acts on the 60s ribosomal unit of the cell and disrupts protein synthesis.
Clinical Manifestations
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Convulsions (a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders).
- Drowsiness
- Delirium (Delirium is a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of the environment)
- Hepatic failure
- Oliguria
- Uremia
- Death may be due to multiorgan failure or cardiovascular collapse
- The pulp of the seed contains allergenic glycoprotein, which may cause dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, and conjunctivitis in allergic individuals.
Treatment
- Gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal
- The urine should be alkalinized with sodium bicarbonate. This is to prevent the precipitation of hemoglobin in the renal tubules.
- Supportive treatment
Fatal Dose and Fatal Period
- 5 to 10 seeds or 6 mg/kg body weight for Ricin.
- Fatal period: 2 days to few days
Autopsy Findings
- Mucosa of GIT may be inflamed with hemorrhages
- Crushed seeds with pericarp may be found in the stomach
- Hemorrhages in organs.
Medicolegal Importance
- Accidental poisoning
- Seeds are used for the homicidal purpose
- Used to procure criminal abortion
- Cattle poison
- Seed powder may be used to induce conjunctivitis for malingering
- Small variety seeds may be confused with croton seeds.
- Can cause an anaphylactic type of hypersensitivity in humans.
Croton Tiglium
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malpighiates
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Croton
Species: tiglium
Common name: Nepala, Jamalgota, croton
Morphology
- Although variations are kept as houseplants can grow much smaller, croton trees can grow to a height of about 6 meters (20 ft). The plants have glossy, leathery, elliptical leaves that are beautifully colored with metallic green and are evergreen.
- Leaf colors can be solid or a blend of green, yellow, white, orange, pink, red, crimson, and purple, with anthocyanin in the leaf being mostly responsible. Depending on the type, the 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) leaves can range from linear and lance-shaped to oval and lobed. Stem cuttings can be used to multiply the plants.
- Being an epitome of tropical beauty, croton tropical plants are grown as popular houseplants to accentuate the interior of a modern house.
- Toxic Part of Plants- Seed, Stem, and Leaves
- Toxic Principle- Crotin (toxalbumin) & Crotonoside (glycoside)
Mechanism of Action
When the croton is administered orally it increases intestinal permeability, causing gastrointestinal edema.
Clinical Manifestations
- Pain in the abdomen
- Salivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (watery)
- Vertigo (Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It’s the sensation that you, or the environment around you, are moving or spinning. )
- Circulatory failure/shock
Treatment
- Gastric lavage
- Symptomatic
Fatal Dose and Fatal Period
- 4 seeds or 20 drops of castor oil can cause death
- Fatal dose: 4 to 6 hours.
Autopsy Findings
- Signs of inflammation in the Gastro-Intestinal Tract
- Abdominal viscera congested
Medicolegal Importance
- Accidental poisoning
- Used to procure abortion
- Seeds may be used for homicidal purposes
- Used in quack medicine
- Arrow poison
Difference Between Castor & Croton Seeds
- The appearance of the castor is Greyish brown, mottled, and glossy whereas the croton is Dark brown, non-glossy, and not mottled.
- The shape of the castor is Flattened-oval in shape on the other hand croton is Oval in shape.
- The Cross section at the tip of the castor seed Lumen is almost circular whereas the lumen is a slit with radiating creases.
Conclusion
Ricinus communis (Castor) and Croton tiglium (Croton) are the two common vegetable poisons grown all over India. Both these poisons have almost similar harmful effects on the human body, however, some properties do vary.
They both are irritant poisons that cause gastrointestinal irritation and inflammation. They are commonly found in accidental and suicidal poisoning cases, while homicidal poisoning is less common.
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