Chapter  37

Organic Irritants: Plants and Vegetables

Like tree, like fruit

- Proverb

These are organic irritants derived from poisonous plants. 6. Root, e.g.
Phytotoxicology is term used to denote the study of plants • Aconite
that produce or evoke specific deleterious effects on human. • Plumbago
The organic irritants are classified as: • Colocynth
1. Gastrointestinal irritants: e.g. castor, abrus, capsicum
2. Cardiotoxic poisons: e.g. aconite, oleander, tobacco, etc. Toxic principle in plant
3. Neurotoxic poisons: Datura, cannabis, opium
4. Hepatotoxic poisons: e.g. neem, akee (Blighia sapida) Toxic substances in plant may present in form of:
5. Dermal irritants: e.g. mango, St. John’s wort. • Toxalbumin (phytotoxin)
• Alkaloids
• Glycosides
Poisonous parts of plant • Resins
1. All parts of plant are poisonous, e.g. • Irritant juices
• Nerium odorum • Acrid oils
• Cerbera thevetia • Amino acid
• Calatropis • Plant acids
2. Leaves, e.g. Examples are given in Table 37.1
• Tobacco
• Conium maculatum (hemlock) Abrus
• Curare
Botanical name: Abrus precatorius
• Digitalis
Common name: Rati, gunja, jequirity
3. Fruits, e.g.
• Capsicum annum
• Strychnous nux vomica Features
• Colocynth • Abrus is green, slender, climbing vine bearing compound
4. Seed, e.g. leaves. Flowers are pinkish and seeds are present in seed
• Abrus pots.
• Castor • Each seed pot contains 3 to 5 seeds. Seeds are egg
• Croton shaped with 5 mm in diameter and having weight of
• Datura 105 mg. Seed has an attractive hard glossy outer shell.
• Semicarpus anacardium The seeds are of three types:
5. Stem/bark, e.g. 1. Scarlet red seeds with a black spot at one end (Fig. 37.1).
• Cinchona bark 2. Black seeds with a white spot at one end (Fig. 37.2).
• Plumbago rosea 3. White seeds with a black spot at one end (Fig. 37.3).
 468 Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Table 37.1: Showing toxic substance and active

principles in plants
Toxic substance Active principle
Toxalbumin Abrin
Ricin
Crotin
Alkaloids Atropine
Strychnine
Aconitine
Nicotine
Curarine
Ergotamine
Glycosides Nerin
Thevetin
Cerebrin Fig. 37.1: Abrus seeds—red variety
Digoxin
Calotropin
Resins Cannabinol
• Present in seed and is toxalbumin
• Abrin is similar to viper snake venom
Juice/oils Semicarpol
Plant acids Oxalic acid
Mechanism of Action1, 2, 3
Malic acid
• Abrin is composed of two polypeptide chains (A and B).
These chains are connected by a disulfide bond
Toxic Part of Plant
• Chewing or crushing of seed releases abrin. The “B”
• Seed polypeptide chain (called as heptomer) binds to the intes-
• Root tinal cell membrane while “A” polypeptide chain (called
• Leaves as effectomer) enters the cytoplasm. In cytoplasm, “A”
polypeptide chain act on 60S ribosomal subunit and pre-
Toxic Principle vents binding of elongation factor EF-2 thus inhibiting
protein syntheses, thereby causing cell death.
• Abrin
Toxicology

B
Section 

Fig. 37.2: Abrus seed—black variety Fig. 37.3: Abrus seeds—white variety
 Organic Irritants: Plants and Vegetables 469

Clinical Features • Cerebral edema

1. Dermal manifestations: When abrin is injected in skin,
there will be inflammation, swelling, ecchymoses and
necrosis at the site. Similarly there will be faintness,
vertigo, vomiting, dyspnoea and convulsion occurs
before death. The symptoms resemble those of viper
snakebite.
2. Ocular exposure: Causes redness, chemosis, swelling and
conjunctivitis.
3. Oral ingestion: Causes pain in abdomen, vomiting, diar-
rhoea, bleeding per rectum, cardiac arrhythmias, convul-
sions and CNS depression.
Management
• Gastric lavage
• Supportive measures
• Convulsions can be controlled by diazepam/lorazepam
• Local exposure should be treated with copious irrigation
with plain water
Fatal Dose
• 1 to 2 crushed seeds
• 90 to 120 mg of abrin
Fatal period: 3 to 5 days
Autopsy Findings
• Local-fragments of needle or sui may be found in the
skin along with oedema, inflammation, local necrosis and
ecchymoses
• GIT-shows edematous bowel with hemorrhage4
• Liver, spleen, kidneys — congested
Medicolegal Importance
1. Accidental poisoning may occur in children while explor-
ing the seeds.
2. Homicide by sui prepared with abrin (sui is needle or
spike made with crushed seed alone or mixed with onion
paste. Then the needle is dried under sun. The sui is kept
between two fingers and is pushed into skin of other
person).
3. Cattle poison.
4. Malingerers use powder of abrus seed to produce con-
junctivitis.
5. When intact seeds are swallowed or when seeds are
boiled or cooked, they are not poisonous.
Castor
Botanical name: Ricinus communis
Common name: Castor, arandi
Features
• Castor plants are tall plants and grow all over India. The
plant bears lobate leaves with toothed margins (Fig. 37.4).
The fruits are globular and clustered with spiny projec-
tions over capsule (Fig. 37.5). The fruit contains castor
seeds (Fig. 37.6).
• Seeds are flattened-oval in shape and are available in
two sizes. Large variety seeds are mottled, dark brown
in color with shiny hard seed coat. Small variety seeds

Toxicology

B
Section 

Fig. 37.4: Castor plant Fig. 37.5: Castor fruit

 470 Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Management
• Gastric lavage and administer activated charcoal
• The urine should be alkalinized with sodium bicarbo-
nate. This is to prevent precipitation of hemoglobin in
the renal tubules.7
• Supportive treatment
Fatal dose
• 5 to 10 seeds
• 1 mg/kg body weight for Ricin
Fatal period: 2 to few days

Autopsy Findings
• Mucosa of GIT may be inflamed with hemorrhages
• Crushed seeds with pericarp may be found in stomach
• Hemorrhages in organs.
Fig. 37.6: Castor seeds
Medicolegal Importance
are a about 1 to 2 cm X 0.8 cm in size and resembles
croton seeds (Fig. 37.7). 1. Accidental poisoning
Toxic part of plants: All parts of plant but seeds are more 2. Seeds are used for homicidal purpose
toxic 3. Used to procure criminal abortion
4. Cattle poison
Toxic Principle 5. Seed powder may be used to induce conjunctivitis for
malingering
• Ricin (toxalbumin) 6. Small variety seeds may be confused with croton seeds,
differences are mentioned in Table 37.2
Mechanism of Action 7. Can cause anaphylactic type of hypersensitivity in humans.8
• Ricin is composed of two polypeptide chains (A and B).
These chains are connected by a disulfide bond. Croton
• In GIT, chain “B” binds the cell surface and chain “A” Botanical name: Croton tiglium
enters into cytoplasm. Chain “A” acts on 60S ribosomal Common name: Nepala, Jamalgota, croton
unit of cell and disrupt protein synthesis.
Features
Clinical Features5
• Croton plant has elliptical leaves with metallic green in
• Abdominal pain color.
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Dehydration Table 37.2: Showing difference between castor
• Convulsions and croton seeds
• Drowsiness Features Castor seed Croton seed
• Delirium
Toxicology

Appearance Grayish brown, Dark brown,

• Hepatic failure
mottled, glossy non-glossy, not
• Oliguria mottled
• Uremia Shape Flattened-oval in Oval
• Death may be due to multiorgan failure or cardiovascular shape
B collapse
Cross section Lumen is almost The lumen
• The pulp of seed contains allergenic glycoprotein, which
Section 

at tip circular is slit like

may cause dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, and conjunctivitis with radiating
in allergic individuals.1, 6 creases
 Organic Irritants: Plants and Vegetables 471

• Croton seeds are oval, non-glossy, and 1 to 2 cm long, Medicolegal Importance

dark brown or brownish-gray in color (Fig. 37.7). The
1. Accidental poisoning
seed contains toxic principle.
2. Used to procure abortion
3. Seeds may be used for homicidal purpose
Toxic Part of Plants
4. Used in quack medicine
• Seed 5. Arrow poison
• Stem
• Leaves Capsicum
Toxic Principle Two varieties are noted as:
1. Capsicum annum — less hotter
• Crotin (toxalbumin) 2. Capsicum frutescenes — hotter than C. annum
• Crotonoside (glycoside) Common name: Chili, red pepper, mirch

Clinical Features Features

• Pain in abdomen • This small shrub bears tapering fruits which become red
• Salivation when ripe (Fig. 37.8)
• Vomiting • The fruit contains small and flat yellowish seeds (Fig.
• Diarrhoea (watery) 37.9). The seeds resemble to Datura seeds. Differentiating
• Vertigo points are given in Table 44.2 (Chapter 44).
• Circulatory failure/shock
Toxic part of plant: Fruit and seed
Management
Toxic Principle
• Gastric lavage
• Capsaicin
• Symptomatic
• Capsicin
Fatal dose: 4 seeds have cause death
Fatal dose: 4 to 6 hours Mechanism of action: The vanillyl acid present in capsi-
cum causes depletion of substance P at nerve terminals. This
Autopsy Findings results in local swelling and pain due to dilatation of blood
• Signs of inflammation in GIT vessels and intense excitation of sensory nerve endings.1
• Abdominal viscera congested

Toxicology

B
Section 

Fig. 37.7: Croton seeds Fig. 37.8: Red chili fruit

 472 Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

• Torture
• Extortion
• Forced confession
• Child abuse
• Robbery
• Rape

Calotropis
Calotropis plants are of two varieties:
1. Calotropis gigantea — has purple color flowers
(Fig. 37.10)
2. Calotropis procera — has white colour flowers (Fig. 37.11)
Common name: Madar, Akdo

Features
Fig. 37.9: Chili seeds
• The plant grows wildly with thick green oblong leaves.
• The stem or leaves, when break or incised, yields thick,
Clinical Features
acrid, milky juice.
1. Dermal exposure: Burning sensation, pain Toxic part of plant: All parts are toxic
• Chili burns: Person occupationally exposed to chili
powder may have pain, irritation and erythema Toxic Principle
• Hunan hand: Contact dermatitis caused due to chili
• Calotoxin
2. Ocular exposure: Causes pain, lacrimation, conjunctivi-
• Calotropin (glycoside)
tis, blephrospasm
• Calactin
3. Inhalation: Cough, irritation. Chili worker’s cough –
• Uscharin
occupational exposure results in coughing.
4. Ingestion:
• Burning pain in mouth
Clinical Features
• Salivation 1. Dermal exposure: Application to skin causes irritation,
• Vomiting redness and vesication
• Abdominal pain 2. Ocular exposure: Irritation, lacrimation, conjunctivitis
• Diarrhoea (burning) 3. Ingestion: Causes
• Acrid bitter taste
Management • Burning pain in mouth
• Vomiting
• Dermal or ocular exposure: Irrigation with plain water,
• Diarrhoea
application of cold water/ice, analgesia for pain
• Stomatitis
• Ingestion: Sips of cold water/ice cubes, analgesia
• Tetanic convulsions
• Delirium
Autopsy Findings
• Circulatory failure/shock
Toxicology

• Congestion of organs
• Stomach may contains remnants of seeds/fruit Management
• Gastric lavage
Medicolegal Importance
• Demulcents
B 1. Occupational hazard • Supportive measures
Section 

2. Datura seeds may be mistaken for chili seeds (see Table • Diazepam/lorazepam for convulsions
44.2 for differentiation) • Dermal or ocular exposure: Wash the affected area with
3. Chili powder used for water
 Organic Irritants: Plants and Vegetables 473

Fig. 37.10: Calotropis gigantea Fig. 37.11: Calotropis procera

Fatal dose: Uncertain Toxic part of plant: Nut

Fatal period: Varies from half hour to eight hours
Toxic Principle
Autopsy Findings
• Semecarpol
• Froth at mouth and nostrils • Bhilawanol
• Stomatitis
• Inflammation of GIT Clinical Features
• Abdominal viscera — congested
1. Dermal exposure: When applied to skin, it causes irrita-
• Vesication, inflammation and redness at the site of contact
tion, inflammation, vesication formation, pain and itch-
ing. The blister contains acrid serum. The skin lesion
Medicolegal Importance
resembles contusion. Later on the lesion turned into ulcer
1. Accidental poisoning with sloughing of skin.
2. Used in folk medicine 2. Ingestion: Causes
3. Used to fabricate wounds — malingers may apply juice
to produce artificial bruise or conjunctivitis
4. Used in abortion stick to procure criminal abortion
5. Infanticide
6. Cattle poison
7. Root of C. procera is poisonous to cobra snakes. Snake
charmers use root to scare away snake or to subdue them.

Marking Nut
Toxicology

Botanical name: Semicarpus anacardium

Common name: Marking nut, bhilawa, biba

Features B
Marking nuts are generally heart-shaped blackish nuts with
Section 

rough projection at base. The nut bears thick pericarp and

contains brownish-black, acrid, oily juice (Fig. 37.12). Fig. 37.12: Marking nut
 474 Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

• Blister formation in and around oral cavity

Table 37.3: Displaying difference between
• Vomiting contusions and marking nut lesion
• Diarrhea
Features Contusion Marking nut
• Abdominal pain lesion
• Hypotension/shock
Shape Regular Irregular
• Delirium
Margin Diffused Sharp and clear
• Coma
Color changes Occurs Does not occur
Management Itching Absent Present
Extravasation of Present Absent
• Gastric lavage blood
• Activated charcoal Blisters Absent Present
• Supportive measures Nail beds Not Similar lesions due
significant to itching
Fatal Dose Caused by Rupture of Chemical damage
capillaries to skin
• 5 to 8 seeds (nut)
• 10 gm of marking nut juice
Fatal period: 12 to 24 hours
2. Ingestion: Causes pain in abdomen, vomiting, diarrhoea,
Autopsy Findings shock, CNS depression

• Blister formation in and around oral cavity and throat Management

• GIT inflammation
• Fatty degeneration of liver has been reported • Gastric lavage
• Demulcents
Medicolegal Importance • Symptomatic
Fatal dose: Uncertain
1. Accidental poisoning — quack medicine Fatal period: Uncertain
2. Juice is applied to external genitalia of female as punish-
ment for infidelity Autopsy Findings
3. Used to fabricate bruise/wound
4. Juice is thrown over other person to cause harm/injury • Skin may show vesication and inflammation
5. Juice is applied to cervical os to procure criminal abortion • GIT irritation
6. Skin lesion produced by marking nut may be confused with • Viscera congested
contusion. The differences are mentioned in Table 37.3.

Plumbago
Plumbago plants are of two varieties:
1. Plumbago rosea — called as lal chitra — bears red flow-
ers. The plant belongs to Plumbaginaceae with oval and
large leaves (Fig. 37.13).
2. Plumbago zeylanica — called as chitra — bears white
Toxicology

flowers
Toxic part of plant: Root (Fig. 37.14)
Toxic principle: Plumbagin
B Clinical Features
Section 

1. Dermal exposure: Application of root to skin causes irri-

tation, inflammation and vesication Fig. 37.13: Plumbago rosea
 Organic Irritants: Plants and Vegetables 475

Fig. 37.14: Root of Plumbago Fig. 37.15: Colocynth plant with fruits

Medicolegal Importance Management: Symptomatic

1. Root paste is applied to cervical os to procure criminal Fatal dose: 1 to 3 gm
abortion. Fatal period: 24 hours
2. Root paste is used to fabricate bruises (false bruise).
3. Rarely used for homicide. Autopsy Findings
• Inflammation of gastrointestinal tract
Colocynth • Abdominal organs congested
Botanical name: Citrullus colocynthus
Common name: Colocynth, Indrayani, Bitter apple Medicolegal Importance
1. Accidental poisoning
Features 2. Used to procure criminal abortion
• It is a creeping plant with triangular leaves 3. Suicide
• The plant bears globular fruit, 3 to 4 inches in diameter
with greenish-yellow appearance and dry spongy pulp
(Fig. 37.15). Fruit contains oval-flattened, brownish color
about 5 mm long seeds (Fig. 37.16).

Toxic Part of Plant

• Fruit
• Root
Toxicology

• Leaves
Toxic principle: Colocynthin (glycoside)

Clinical Features
• Pain in abdomen B
•
Section 

Vomiting
• Watery diarrhoea
• Shock Fig. 37.16: Colocynth fruit with seeds
 476 Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Ergot • Burning of extremities

• Hemorrhagic vesication
Ergot is dried sclerotia of the fungus Clavices purpurea.9
• Pruritis
The fungus infests certain grains such as rye, maize, barley,
• Formication
wheat, oats, etc. (Fig. 37.17). The fungus at grains germi-
• Nausea
nates into hyphae and these hyphae penetrate deep into the
• Vomiting
grains and hardened into a purplish structure called sclero-
• Bradycardia
tium, which elaborates number of ergot alkaloids.
• Peripheral ischemia leading to gangrene of fingers and toes
Alkaloids of Ergot • Headache
• Miosis
• Ergotamine • Delirium
• Ergotoxin • Hallucinations
• Ergometrine • Convulsions
• Dihydroergotamine • Ischemia of cerebral, mesenteric, coronary and renal vessels
Clinical Features
Management1
Acute Poisoning
• Gastric lavage with activated charcoal
• Nausea
• Hypertension or cerebral/mesentric/cardiac ischemia —
• Vomiting
IV nitroglycerine or nitroprusside
• Diarrhoea
• Peripheral ischemia — oral prazocin, captopril or nifedipine
• Giddiness
• Convulsions and hallucinations — diazepam or lorazepam
• Breathlessness
• Hypercoagulable state — heparin or dextran.
• Muscular weakness
• Tingling and numbness in hand and feet
Medicolegal Importance
• Paraesthesia
• Cramps in muscle • Accidental poisoning occurs with consumption of con-
• Bleeding from nose and other mucosal surface taminated grains
• Ergots preparations are used to induce abortion.
Chronic Poisoning (Ergotism)
Prolonged use of ergot leads to a condition called ergotism References
characterized by:
1. Pillay VV. Poisonous plants. In: Comprehensive Medical
Toxicology, 1st edn. 2003. Paras Publishing, Hyderabad. 473–508.
2. Dickers KJ, Bradberry SM, Rice P, Griffiths GD, Vale JA.
Abrin poisoning. Toxicol Rev 2003; 22: 137–42.
3. Frohne D, Pfander HJ. In: A colour atlas of poisonous plants.
Translated by Bisset NG, 2nd edn. 1984. Wolfe Publishing
Ltd. London.
4. Henry JA, Wiseman HM. In: Management of poisoning. WHO
handbook for health care workers, 1st Indian edition 1998.
5. Audi J, Belson M, Patel M, Schier J, Osterloh J. Ricin poison-
ing: a comprehensive review. JAMA 2005; 294: 2342–51.
6. Brugsch HG. Toxic hazards: the castor bean. New Eng J Med
Toxicology

1960; 262: 1039–40.

7. DeManuelle MS. Systemic poisonous plant intoxication. In:
Viccellio P (ed) Handbook of Medical Toxicology, 1st edn.
1993. Little, Brown and Company, Boston. 639–47.
B 8. Lockey SD Jr. Anaphylaxis from an Indian Necklace. JAMA
1968; 206: 2900–1.
Section 

9. Lillehoj EB, Ciegler A, Detroy RW. Fungal toxins. In: Blood

FR (Ed) Essays in Toxicology, Vol. 2, 1st edn. 1970. Academic
Press, New York. 40.
Fig. 37.17: Ergot