TOXIC DRUG-GUNJA

DONE BY:
DIVYA.R & SANDHYA.G
BAMS 3RD YEAR
SRISAIRAM AYURVEDA MEDICAL
COLLEGE
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
• BOTANICAL NAME: Abrus precatorius Linn.
Abrus- Has got very delicate leaves
precatorius-Seeds of this plant is used

for making rosaries

• FAMILY NAME : Fabaceae

• KULA :Aparajitadi Kula
VERNACULAR NAMES:
• ENGLISH : Indian liquorice, Rosary pea,Crab’s eye
• HINDI : Ratti
• TAMIL : Kundumani
• MALAYALAM : Kunni

SYNONYMS:
• 1. VANAVASINI -Commonly grows in wild areas.
• 2. RAKTHIKA -Seeds of Gunja are red in color.
• 3.DURMOHA -When consumed in excess quantity, it causes unconciousness.
CLASSIFICATION:
• Sthavara visha -Upavisha- Mula visha

VARIETIES:
• BHAVA PRAKASHA NIGHANDU
& PRIYA NIGHANDU - Two types
1.SWETA 2. RAKTA
MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF
ABRUS PRECATORIUS:
• Irritant organic vegetable poison
• Suis poison

DRUG &COSMETIC ACT: Schedule E(1)

MORPHOLOGY

• HABIT: Woody climber ,spreading

throughout plains.
• LEAVES: Pinnately compound, oblong
• FLOWERS: Pink,cluster
• INFLORESENCE: Raceme
• FRUITS: Pods, 3-5 seeded
• SEEDS :scarlet red with black spot or
pure white
PART USED:

• Mula (Root), Patra(leaf) and Beeja(Seed).

• According to modern sciences, all parts of the plant are poisonous.
RASA PANCAKA:

BEEJA(SEED) MULA(ROOT)

Rasa Tikta, Kashaya Madura,Tikta

Guna Tikshna,Laghu,Ruksha Snigdha

Vipaka Katu Katu

Virya Ushna Ushna

Dosha karma Kapha vatahara Vatapitta hara

AUSHADHI MATRA:
Beeja churna :60-100mg
Mula churna :1-3g
Patra kwatha : 50-100ml
FATAL DOSE:
90 to 120 mg (1 to 2 seeds)
Abrin is 100 times more
poisonous through subcutaneous route
FATAL PERIOD:
3 to 5 days
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS:
Gunja tailam,Gunjadya tailam, Gunjaphala thailam, Gunjapatradhi lepa,
Gunjamula anjanam,Gunjagarbha rasayana, Grahani gajakesari ras,
Rajamrighanka ras, Neelibringhadhi tailam, Yogeshwara ras, Sarivadhi vati.
SHODHANA OF GUNJA:
The Sodhana process is prepared in such a way so as to
diminish the toxic effects of the harmful component and
also in some cases to potentiate the effect of the
constituents of the drug.

• The Gunja seeds are tied in a two layered cloth, kept

suspended in cow milk taken in a pot (Dolayantra).

• The milk is boiled with the Gunja seed pack suspended

for 1 Yama (3 hours). This procedure is called
Swedana.

• After this, the seeds are taken out, washed in hot water,
dried and preserved.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:
ROOT: Abrol and Alkaloids(Abrasine & Precasine), Protien, Abraline, Abrussic acid,
Abrusgenic acid, Calcium

SEED: Abrin A,Abrin B, Abrin C,Abralin,Abrine,Precatorine and Steroids like

Abricine and Abridin.

• LEAVES: Glycyrrhizine and Pintol, Abrulactone A, Xylose

• The roots contain 1.5% substances resembling Glycyrrhizin and leaves also yields
Glycyrrhizin. Hence Gunja root is used as substitute for Glycyrrhizine.
• Among these the poisonous effect of the plant is due to the presence of the
phytotoxic, toxalbumin, Abrin.
• Abrin is a ribosome inhibiting protein like Ricin, a toxin which can be found
in the seeds of the castor oil plant.
• The abrin is similar to Viperine snake venom

OCCURANCE OF TOXIN:
• The toxin is found within the seeds
• Its release is prevented by the seed coat.
• If the seed coat is injured or destroyed (by chewing, for example) the toxin
may be released.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF POISONING

1.As a Chemical Weapon:

-SUIS POISONING
2.Children are attracted to the
brightly-coloured seeds and may
chew, suck, or swallow them.
3.When the seeds are used as
ornaments, such as necklaces,
holes are drilled in the seeds.
BIOCHEMISTRY:

• Chemically, Abrin is a mixture of

four isotoxins, they are,
• Abrin A
• Abrin B
• Abrin C
• Abrin D

Abrin A is the most potent of these

4 isotoxins.
• Abrin A is referred to as a type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP).
• The protein contains two chains: α and β which are connected by a
disulfide bond.
• Both of the chains are water soluble.
• The water molecules hydrolyze the N-C glycosidic bond.
• It is a stable substance and can withstand extreme environmental
conditions.
• Though it is combustible, it does not polymerize easily and is not
particularly volatile.
β chain -binds to the intestinal cell membrane
α chain-enters the cytoplasm

acts on 60s ribosomal subunit

prevents the binding of Elongation factor EF-2

inhibiting protien syntheses

cell death
ROUTES OF ENTRY

1 .Oral:
Mature or immature seeds are chewed or ingested.
2. Inhalation
3. Dermal
4. Eye :
Cold preparations made from soaking the seeds have been used to treat trachoma
and corneal opacities .
5 .Parenteral :
Subcutaneous injections (Suis poisoning) to carry out poisoning of cattle for the
purpose of securing their hides. This is done by means of small spikes, called
sui(needles).The symptoms resembles Viprerine snake bite
 CLINICAL EFFECTS:
ACUTE POISONING:
Symptoms and signs can occur after a latent period that ranges from a few hours to several
days.
• Burning sensation in mouth
• Drowsiness
• Convulsion
• Bloody diarrhoea
• Hematuria
• Oliguria
• Retinal damage
• Circulatory failure
• Vomiting
EYE CONTACT:Mild conjunctivitis to severe damage
PARENTRAL EXPOSURE: GI symptoms are lesser.Inflammation at injected site.
CAUSE OF DEATH
major symptoms of poisoning - acute gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting and
diarrhoea

Dehydration, convulsions, and shock.

+Toxicity of kidneys

Oliguria

Death(after 14 days)
 SYSTEMIC EFFECTS:
Cardiovascular system:
• No direct effect
• Shock, hypotension, and tachycardia
Respiratory system:
• Cyanosis due to hypotension and shock may be seen.
Neurological system:
• CNS :Drowsiness, convulsions, hallucinations, and trembling of the hands.
Gastrointestinal: severe gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, may occur due to
direct irritation of the gastric mucosa.
• Erosion of the intestinal mucosa can cause haematemesis and melaena.
Hepatic system:
• Serum levels of liver cell enzymes are increased. The serum bilirubin level is
elevated. Hypoglycaemia may occur.
Urinary system:
• Renal Oliguria and anuria may result from prolonged hypotension,
• renal failure.
Dermatological:
• Skin contact may cause irritation and dermatitis.
Eye, ears, nose, throat:
• Retinal haemorrhages. The patient may complain of impaired vision
Ear, nose, throat: Irritation of the throat may occur after ingestion.
Haematological :
• Abrus agglutinin causes haemolysis by its direct effect on red cells.
Metabolic:
• 1.Acid base disturbances
• 2.Fluid and electrolyte disturbances
EFFECTS OF POISONING ACC.TO AYURVEDA:

Gunja seeds if used without proper purification or in higher doses causes,

• वान्तिकर- vomiting
• तीव्र विरे चनम्- severe purgation

गु ं जाविषे ण दौर्बल्यं खे भ्यो रक्तसृतिर्भवे त् ।

तन्दर् ा मोहश्च गात्रेषु सं भवे युर्व्रणा भृशम् ।।
- (अनु पानमं जरी)
चिकित्सा :

मेघनादरसो ग्राह्यः शर्क रायुक्तपानतः।

उच्चटाया विकारस्य शांतिः स्यात् ।।
-(अनुपानमंजरी)

Meghanad swarasa + sarkara should be consumed and followed by gulping of dugdha

• Initially extract the needle of gunja , if injected

• Intake of draksha , vrikshamla swarasa
• Amaranthus juice with saindhava lavana
• Go dugdha with sharkara
MANAGEMENT-GENERAL PRINCIPLES
• Induced emesis or gastric lavage
• Fluid and electrolyte imbalances should be carefully monitored.

Relevant laboratory analyses and other investigations

1.Sample collection: Seeds, vomittus or gastric content should be collected
2.Biomedical analysis :Full blood count, liver profile, serum electrolytes ,blood
gases, blood urea, Urinalysis and creatinine are the essential analyses.
LIFE SUPPORTIVE PROCEDURES AND SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT:
• Make a proper assessment of airway, breathing, circulation and neurological status of the patient.
• Monitor vital signs.
• Maintain a clear airway. Administer oxygen if the patient is in shock.
• Monitor acid base balance, and fluid and electrolyte balance
• If anuria persists after receiving fluid replacement, consider the possibility of dialysis.
• If convulsions occur, administer anti-convulsant drugs

DECONTAMINATION:
• Emesis with syrup of ipecac (a rapid acting emetic)
• Gastric lavage may be performed if the condition of the patient allows.
• insert an oro- or naso-gastric tube and lavage after endotracheal intubation.
• In case of eye exposure, irrigate eyes with copious amounts of water or saline.
ELIMINATION:
The external suis should be removed in case of injected poisoning.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
All the parts of the plant Gunja are poisonous. Abrus precatorius is contraindicated
in gastric and peptic ulcers
pregnant women and infants.
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE:
• Used as homicidal, accidental poison
• Used as Suis or arrow poison
• Internally to prevent conception or abortion
• Commonly used cattle poison
SPECIFIC PREVENTIVE MEASURES :
• Keep seeds or ornaments made
out of seeds away from children.
• Do not grow Abrus precatorius
plants in home gardens.
• Educate older children and the
public of the dangers of
ingesting seeds.
THANK YOU