Ricin: castor bean toxicosis

Abstract

The toxic principle of the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, is a phytotoxin called ricin. The plant also contains the less toxic alkaloid ricinin, and an allergen or castor bean antigen C.B.A. Cases of castor bean toxicosis in sheep in Western Jamahirija have been recorded. The clinical and post mortem findings were described and the chemical and immunological similarities of ricin and ricinin were studied.

Results of recent electron microscopy studies, the effects of ricin on the living cell and the revelations of these studies on the mode of action of ricin are discussed.