Jatropha is a flowering plant that grows around the world.
Its distribution includes tropical and subtropical regions around the world (India, Southeast Asia, Brazil, etc), close to the coast.
The plant grows wild but also may be cultivated for:
(1) its oil, which can be used as a biofuel
(2) native medicines
(3) animal feed
(4) creating hedges around fields
Toxic compounds: ricin, curcin, cyanic acid
Local communities have traditional methods of detoxification before use.
Most cases of toxicity are in children, who are attracted to the seeds which are sweet.
Acute toxicity depends on the number of seeds ingested:
(1) gastrointestinal (nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
(2) dehydration
(3) miosis
(4) burning sensation in throat
(5) rarely neurologic symptoms or circulatory collapse may occur
Death is uncommon.
Differential diagnosis: organophosphate poisoning
Chronic toxicity includes renal failure.
