Toxalbumins

ricin , crotin, abrin

1. toxalbumins

2. Toxalbumin or phytotoxin is a toxic protein , found in certain plants & bacteria which is capable of stopping protein synthesis . Common toxalbumins – ricin Crotin Abrin

3. Active principles Ricin ( toxalbumin ) Ricinine

4. Mechanism of action Toxalbumins are ribosome inhibiting protein ( RIP ) RIP HAS TWO CHAINS – A chain  active part  binds ribosomes  inhibit protein synthesis B chain  binds the toxin to the surface of cell

5. Signs and symptoms Dust of seeds causes: • Watering of eyes, conjunctivitis • Rhinitis, acute nasal inflammation • Headache, pharyngitis, bronchitis • Dermatitis • Gastric upset • Ingestion GIT: burning pain in throat, colicky abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, thirst, vomiting and diarrhea . CNS: vertigo, drowsiness, delirium, convulsions coma Uremia , jaundice, feeble pulse, shock and dehydration

6. Fatal dose- 5 seeds chewed Fatal period - 2 days

7. Management Iv fluid & vsopressor for hypotension Activated charcoal Gastric lavage Whole bowel irrigation Demulcents

8. Pm appearances Gi mucosa – congested , softened & inflamed, erosion , submucosa haemorrhage Haemorrhage – in internal organs

9. Croton tiglium Aka jamalgota , naepala   Seeds are dark brown, oval, similar to croton but not mottled and lustureless . • All parts of plant are poisonous but seeds contain maximum conc. of Active principle.

10. Active principle Crotin (toxalbumin) – Crotoniside ( glycoside ) Ingestion – Burning pain in throat and stomach, salivation, colicky abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, thirst, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. – Prostration circulatory and respiratory collapse – Applied to skin – Burning redness and vesication

11. Fatal dose – 4 crushed seeds or 3 drops of oil Fatal period - 3-6 days •

12. Gastric lavage Emetics and demulscents Morphine and atropine symptomatic

13. Pm appearance • Mucosa congested, softened, inflamed, erosions, fragment of seeds may be present • Dilatation of heart, pleural Hg, oedema of Liver, kidney spleen and lung .

14. • Accidental • Rarely homicidal and suicidal • Roots and oil as abortifacient • Arrow poison

15. ABRUS PRECATORIUS ( RATTI ) Other name Jequirity • Indian liquorice • Rosary bead • Gunja • Rati • Coral bead vine

16. All parts of plant are poisonous

17. Active principles Abrin ( Toxalbumin Similar To Viperine Snake ) Abrin (N- Methyl L- Tryptophan ) N,n Dimethyl L- Tryptophan Hypaphorin Precatorine Choline Trigonelline

18. Mechanism of action Abrin cause endothelial cell damage – Endothelial damage  increase capillary permeability  fluid & protein leakage  tissue edema Direct toxic effect on CNS Agglutination of RBC Ribosomal Inhibiting Protein ( Rip ) – Inhibit Protein Synthesis .

19. INJECTION Injected in the form of sui . Local – painful swelling & edema Echymosis Inflammation Oozing of haemorrhagic fluid & necrosis around site of puncture

20. Sui or sutari

21. Fatal dose – 1-2 crushed seeds Fatal period – 3-5 days

22. Management Remove all seeds from mouth Induce vomiting Gastric lavage Activated charcoal Sodium bicarbonate ( 10 gram orally per day ) Antiabrin antibodies are not of much use Pt. should be kept hospitalized because severe symp can develop several days after ingestion .

23. Post mortem appearance

24. Medicolegal importance Cattle poision Homicidal poision Malingiring – powdered abrus introduced in eye to produce conjunctivitis Arrow poision As abortifacient

25. VITRIOLAGE This means throwing of any corrosive; not necessarily sulphuric acid, on a person with malicious intent. PUNISHABLE UNDER SEC 326 IPC

26. COMMONLY CORROSSIVE USED Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) is most commonly used and for this purpose the name given is Vitriolage . Nitric acid and carbolic acid are sometimes also used.

27. produces severe chemical burns. characterised by discoloration and staining of skin and clothing (brown or black in sulphuric acid and yellow in nitric acid) trickle marks absence of vesication and red line of demarcation presence of the chemical substance in the stains. Corneal destruction or even blindness can result The acid thrown on face causes severe pain, corrosion of tissues leading to permanent scar

28. TREATMENT immediate washing with water and a soap or dilute solution of sodium or potassium bicarbonate till pain persists or acid is washed off. thick paste of magnesium oxide or carbonate may be applied. The raw surface may afterwards be covered with antibiotic ointment. Oral antibiotics should be given to prevent infection. The wound may be dressed later on. Sometimes, skin grafting is needed to replace the damaged .

29. If eyes are involved, they should be immediately washed with water followed by irrigation with 1% solution of sodium bicarbonate. Eye drops containing antibiotics and steroids are helpful .

30. MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATIONS Clothes Must Be Collected & Sent For Chemivcal Examination Plain Water Swabs From Affected Areas May Be Sent For Chemical Examination

31. Medicolegal importance cattle poision Homicidal poision Malingiring – powdered abrus introduced in eye to produce conjunctivitis Arrow poision As abortifacient