Jatropha podagrica 佛肚樹

POISONOUS PARTS

Sap, leaves and seeds.³

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Curcin and phorbol esters.^3–5

• Mechanism

  Curcin, a toxalbumin, inactivates ribosome and hence inhibits protein synthesis. Phorbol esters have purgative effect.^5,6

• Poisoning Features

  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and dysphagia.^3,4

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. Correction of fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Activated charcoal therapy has been used for gastrointestinal decontamination in Jatropha species poisoning.⁴

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, up to 2 m tall. Stems swollen at base; branches short and stout, fleshy, with bristled scars. Leaves peltate; petioles 6–16 cm long; leaf blades 8–18 × 6–16 cm, entire or shallowly 2–6-lobed, with obtuse sinuses, shining adaxially. Cymes terminal, flowers red; petals about 6 mm long. Capsules 1.3–1.8 × 1.5 cm, with 3 longitudinal grooves. Seeds about 1.1 cm long, smooth.⁷

MEDICINAL USES

Whole plant or roots used in TCM: clear heat and remove toxin. Recommended dose: 5–15 g.⁸

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Phorbol esters can be detected by LC-MS/MS.⁹