Review - Ricinus cmmunis - Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities.

Ricinus cmmunis L. (Castor oil plant) is an important medicinal plant belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. Its phytochemistry, biological and pharmacological activities, and ethnomedicinal uses have been reviewed in the present study. The reported chemical constituents showed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, amino acids, terpenoids, phytosterol etc. The compounds have been reported to exhibit anticonceptive, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, insecticidal and wound-healing activities. They also showed free radical scavenging and Hg scavenging activities, and repellent properties. Various parts of R. communis have been widely used in traditional medicine such as abdominal disorders, arthritis, backache, muscle aches, bilharziasis, chronic backache and sciatica, chronic headache, constipation, expulsion of placenta, gallbladder pain, period pain, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, sleeplessness, and insomnia. Castor oil plant has also revealed toxic effects due to the presence of ricin (protein) and ricinine (alkaloid). Comparatively, ricin is more toxic. But still there is need of more research to be conducted with reference to its medicinal importance (particularly exploring of medicinal recipes) and active compounds responsible for various activities.

Substituição do feno de tifton pela casca de mamona na dieta de ovinos: componentes não-carcaça / Replacement of tifton hay with castor bean hulls in sheep diet: non carcass components

Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição do feno de capim tifton pela casca de mamona, 0, 33, 66 e 100% na dieta de ovinos, sobre o peso e rendimento dos componentes não constituintes da carcaça e o rendimento de buchada e panelada. Vinte e oito animais não castrados, com sete meses de idade e peso inicial médio de 19,5±2,45kg, foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e sete repetições, e abatidos após 70 dias de confinamento. Houve decréscimo linear nos pesos da língua (0,084 a 0,079kg), traqueia+pulmão (0,50 a 0,42kg), coração (0,14 a 0,12kg), timo (0,035 a 0,025kg), rins (0,100 a 0,088kg) e peso total dos órgãos (2,14 a 1,90kg) de acordo com o percentual de substituição. O mesmo comportamento foi verificado para os pesos do esôfago (0,051 a 0,045kg), rúmen-retículo (0,73 a 0,64kg), intestino delgado (0,78 a 0,64kg) e total de vísceras (2,17 a 1,92kg). Para os pesos da cabeça (1,99 a 1,66kg), patas (0,86 a 0,73kg), pele (2,49 a 1,99kg), sangue (1,36 a 1,19kg) e total de subprodutos (7,12 a 5,96kg) verificou-se efeito linear negativo de acordo com a substituição. O mesmo foi observado para os pesos de buchada (4,71 a 4,22kg) e panelada (7,55 a 6,61kg). A casca de mamona não deve substituir o feno de capim tifton na dieta de ovinos por causar decréscimo no peso de órgãos, vísceras e subprodutos e influenciar negativamente os pesos e rendimentos de buchada e panelada.

The effects of replacing tifton hay with 0, 33, 66 and 100% of castor bean hulls in the diet of sheep on the non-carcass components of weight and dressing and on the "buchada" and "panelada" yield were evaluated in this research. Twenty-eight non castrated sheep averaging seven months of age and with initial weight of 19.5±2.45kg were assigned to a randomized block design with four treatments and seven replicates, and were slaughtered after 70 days of confinement. A linear decrease of tongue (0.084 to 0.079kg), trachea + lungs (0.50 to 0.42kg), heart (0.14 to 0.12kg), thymus (0.035 to 0.025kg), kidneys (0.100 to 0.088kg) weights and total weight of organs (2.14 to 1.90kg) was observed. The same behavior was observed for the esophagus (0.051 to 0.045kg), rumen-reticulum (0.73 to 0.64kg), small intestine (0.78 to 0.64kg) and total viscera (2.17 to 1.92kg) weights. There was a linear effect for the head (1.99 to 1.66kg), feet (0.86 to 0.73kg), skin (2.49 to 1.99kg), blood (1.36 to 1.19kg) and total by-products (7.12 to 5.96kg) weights according to the treatments and also for "buchada" (4.71 to 4.22kg) and "panelada" (7.55 to 6.61kg) weights. Castor bean hulls should not replace tifton hay because it decreases the weight of organs, viscera and by-products and adversely affects the "buchada" and "panelada" weight and dressing.

Allergic axillary dermatitis due to hydrogenated castor oil in a deodorant.

We present a case of axillary dermatitis caused by hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) in a commercially available deodorant. Patch testing with constituents obtained from the manufacturer showed allergic reaction to HCO 'as is', whereas there was no reaction to HCO 30% in pet. Testing 10 controls with HCO 'as is' did not cause irritant contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis to non-HCO in cosmetics has been described previously but sensitization to HCO seems to be rare. Most common allergens identified in deodorants are fragrances, and this case illustrates that HCO is another possible allergen found in this group of personal care products. It is important that it is tested 'as is' to avoid false-negative results.

The safety of low-dose Larrea tridentata (DC) Coville (creosote bush or chaparral): a retrospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether internal use of low doses of Larrea tridentata tincture or topical applications of this traditional herbal medicine are safe. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all people prescribed Larrea for internal or for topical use over a 22-month period. SETTING/LOCATION: A general naturopathic practice in Sedona, Arizona. SUBJECTS: Thirteen patients were identified for whom Larrea tincture for internal use was prescribed. An additional 20 female and 3 male patients were identified for whom an extract of Larrea in Ricinus communis (castor) oil for topical use was prescribed. No patient had any history of liver disease. INTERVENTIONS: Larrea was prescribed as part of the usual care of each patient. In all cases it was given as either part of a complex herbal formula individualized for each patient containing less than 10% Larrea tincture or as an extract in Ricinus oil for topical use. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum liver enzyme levels as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, glucose levels, electrolytes, bilirubin levels, iron levels, ferritin levels, lipid levels, and complete blood count (CBC) were available for analysis in four patients; general clinical history and physical examination findings were relied on in all other cases. RESULTS: The four patients with complete before and after blood chemistry panels and CBC had no indication of liver damage from use of Larrea. This included one patient who was taking medications with significant potential for hepatotoxicity. No patient in the study, whether using Larrea for short term or long, internally or externally, showed any sign of organ damage during the period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively small intakes of Larrea tincture, or topical application of extracts in Ricinus oil, are safe when prescribed by a clinically trained botanical prescriber. Larrea should be used with caution in persons with a history of previous, or current, liver disease. It may be preferable to avoid the use of Larrea capsules because they have been associated with potentially dangerous overdosing.

Diarrea crónica por ingesta de laxantes / Chronic diarrhea due to laxatives

La constipación crónica es una condición muy frecuente en el sexo femenino. La toma habitual y muchas veces, autoprescrita de laxantes es igualmente frecuente. Los mucílagos y los lubricantes no tienen riesgos no así los irritantes drásticos que pueden producir cuadros diarreicos crónicos graves