The ribosome-inactivating lectins
Ricin of the castor seed (the palm of Christ), abrin of the jequirity bean, and the milder lectins of raw kidney beans.
The ribosome-inactivating lectins: how soon does it show?
Four to twelve hours by mouth; the full picture over two to five days.
How does it run?
Vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and collapse from the dying gut lining, then failure of the liver and kidney as the toxin, taken up by cells, cleaves the ribosome and stops protein synthesis; by injection or inhalation a milligram is fatal (the Markov umbrella, 1978), by mouth most survive because the seed coat and the gut protect. Castor oil carries none of it.
What is done for it?
Supportive; no antidote; fluids and the management of each failing organ.
Historical and descriptive, not medical advice. In a poisoning, call a poison centre or emergency services.
Which substances in the database cause it?
Sources
- Audi, J., et al. (2005). “Ricin poisoning: a comprehensive review.” JAMA 294. Verified against its record · doi:10.1001/jama.294.18.2342
- Crompton, R., and Gall, D. (1980). “Georgi Markov: death in a pellet.” Medico-Legal Journal 48. Verified against its record · doi:10.1177/002581728004800203