Acute toxicity studies with Jatropha curcas L.

The seeds of Jatropha curcas L. ingested accidentally by two children aged 3 and 5 years led to a clinical syndrome of restlessness, severe vomiting and dehydration. A systematic study of the seeds indicated that they produced toxic effects in mice. Macroscopic anal haemorrhage and death occurred when the seeds were administered with the feed. Post-mortem examination revealed infarction of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract with congested vessels. Sodium chloride solution (150 mmol/l: saline) extract of the dried seed administered intraperitoneally into mice caused death in doses as low as 1 mg/kg. Post-mortem studies in this case showed widespread haemorrhages involving the colon, lungs as well as infarction of the liver. Larger intraperitoneal doses (greater than 30 mg/kg) were lethal rapidly but not associated with gross gastrointestinal haemorrhage.