role

role

role

Clinical overview

Use

dosage

Castor oil dosages vary, ranging from 5 ml as a laxative to 120 ml to induce labor.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnant women with previous cesarean section or uterine surgery.

Pregnancy/breastfeeding

Documented side effects when used to induce labor. Avoid using.

Interactions

None are well documented.

Side effects

Allergic reactions and contact dermatitis have been reported. Anaphylaxis is due to the use of intravenous (IV) preparations, the vehicle of which is a castor oil derivative.

toxicology

Deaths from consuming castor plants/beans are rare. Ricin, a toxic protein from the castor bean, is used as a biological weapon.

Scientific family

• Euphorbiaceae (Wolfsmilch)

botany

Castor bean, a common annual ornamental plant native to West India, grows up to 12 m tall and bears broad, deeply lobed leaves on wide stems. The flowers develop into spiny capsules, each containing 3 seeds. When the capsules dry, they explode, scattering the shiny, speckled oval beans. Doan 2004, Krenzelok 2009, Ogunniyi 2006, USDA 2006. The castor bean plant has become naturalized in temperate regions of the continental United States and Hawaii. Bradberry 2003, Spivak 2005

Story

The name Ricinus is derived from the Latin word for insect, as the seeds resemble beetles in shape and pattern. Castor beans are used as art objects and ornaments. The Egyptians used castor oil as lamp oil and ointment and also took the oil with beer as a laxative. The roots, leaves and seeds have a place in traditional folk remedies around the world. Other documented medical uses include induction of labor, as a laxative, as a contraceptive cream, and as a skin softener. Audi 2005, Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Duke 1985, Ogunniyi 2006, Spivak 2005. The quick-drying, non-yellowing oil was developed for use in the production of high-quality lubricants for industrial machinery and aircraft engines, as well as in dyes, inks, paints and varnishes. Audi 2005, Doan 2004, Ogunniyi 2006 The castor cake or pulpy residue left after oil extraction has been used as animal feed and as fertilizer, although it is unsuitable due to trace amounts of toxins. Ogunniyi 2006

Ricin was developed in the 1920s as a biological warfare agent and was considered for use in World War I and World War II. Since the 1990s, arrests for terrorist activities have occurred for possession of ricin or castor beans. Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Originally touted as a potential antitumor agent, ricin underwent Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for its tumor-specific antibody activity. However, the dose-limiting side effects of hypoalbuminem and edema as well as the lack of specificity and intrinsic immunogenicity ruled out approval.Spivak 2005

Chemistry

Cold pressing of the kernels yields approximately 33% medical grade castor oil. Burdock 2006 The mushy residue that remains after the oil has been pressed out is called castor pomace. Marin 2006 An additional 13% to 20% lower quality fatty oil can be obtained through further extraction. Burdock 2006, Marin 2006 Castor oil is a mixture of triglycerides, 75% to 90% of which is ricinoleic acid. Leung 1980, Ogunniyi 2006 Minor amounts (1% to 4%) of linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids are also found.Ogunniyi 2006 Further refinement through steam, filtration and bleaching removes some of the toxins (such as ricin and ricinin) and the allergen CB-1A.Burdock 2006, Doan 2004

Ricin, a 65 kDa glycoprotein phytotoxin, consists of a neutral A chain and an acidic B chain linked by disulfide bonds. The A chain inhibits protein synthesis (leading to cell death), while the B chain serves as a carrier that binds the protein to cell surfaces and facilitates internalization, similar to other type II ribosome-inactivating proteins such as the bacterial toxins of diphtheria, cholera, etc. Anthrax.Doan 2004

Ricin can be divided into the highly toxic ricin D, acidic ricin and basic ricin. The alkaloid ricinine, contained in the seeds, is also found in the leaves. Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Use and Pharmacology

Cancer

A review suggests a possible use of ricin as a chemotherapeutic agent given its ribosome-inactivating properties. However, clinical studies are lacking.Tyagi 2015

Chemical warfare

Ricin was developed as a biological warfare agent. Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005 The immunogenicity that precluded the use of ricin as an antitumor agent is now being exploited in the development of an antiricin vaccine as a defensive biological agent. Active immunization and passive prophylaxis have been investigated in animal studies with limited success. A genetically modified form of a ricin subunit triggered antibodies in animals and could protect against larger doses of ricin.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Induction of labor

Castor oil has historically been widely used by midwives in the United States to induce labor, but there have been reports of a decline in use of the herbs most commonly used by certified or licensed midwives to induce labor. Dennehy 2010

Reviews of studies and case reports find no evidence to support this use. Kelly 2003, Tenore 2003. Doses reported range from 5 to 120 mL; However, there are no clinical data to support these dosages.Sicuranza 2003 One proposed mechanism of action is stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin E synthesis by ricinoleic acid.Sicuranza 2003

In these studies, there are no morbidity or mortality data for either the mother or the newborn. Nausea was frequently reported. Complications included amniotic fluid embolism after a single 30 ml dose and uterine rupture after a 5 ml dose in a woman who had previously delivered by cesarean section. Sicuranza 2003

Laxatives/laxatives

The oil has long been used as a laxative and laxative after treating intestinal parasites. The components of castor oil are known to have a cathartic effect.Bradberry 2003, Duke 1985, Rajshekhar 2004

Ophthalmology

A small randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of castor oil eye drops in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction resulted in an increase in tear stability and a lubricating effect. Goto 2002

Vehicle/solvent

Because of its water-insoluble lipid and surfactant properties, castor oil is used in certain oral and injectable drugs and vitamin preparations, including cyclosporine A, phytonadione, tacrolimus, and carbamazepine. Andrade 2014, Riegert-Johnson 2002, Strickley 2004, Tayrouz 2003

Wound management

Castor oil is found in topical wound care preparations, often in combination with Balsam of Peru and trypsin.Glenn 2006, Gray 2004

dosage

Castor oil dosages vary significantly. In the literature, 5 to 120 ml are given as a single dose. The lower dose was used as a laxative and the higher dose was used to induce labor. Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Pregnancy/breastfeeding

Avoid using. Particularly contraindicated in pregnant women with previous cesarean delivery or uterine surgery.Kelly 2013, Sicuranza 2003

Interactions

The kinetics of digoxin were affected by co-administration of the castor oil derivative polyoxyl 35 castor oil. Oral Cremophor delayed and enhanced the absorption of an oral dose of 0.5 mg digoxin in healthy adults. The increase in plasma digoxin concentrations had no clinical impact. (Tayrouz 2003) Experimental interactions with intravenously administered doxorubicin and doxorubicinol as well as oral saquinavir have also been observed, with an effect via disruption of the P-glycoprotein membrane transporter of the efflux pump being suspected. Interactions with other drugs with relatively low bioavailability, such as amiodarone and phenytoin, are theoretically possible. (Tayrouz 2003)

Sodium sulfate: Laxatives (stimulants) can increase the harmful/toxic effects of sodium sulfate. In particular, the risk of mucosal ulceration or ischemic colitis may be increased. Avoid combinations. (Suclear January 2013, Suprep July 2020, Sutab November 2020)

Side effects

Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy to castor dust was common among workers in castor oil factories and manifested itself in an increased incidence of asthma.Marin 2006

There are case reports of allergic reactions to the castor oil ingredient in topical preparations, including reactions to vaginal lubricants. Di Berardino 2003

A review of anaphylactic reactions to i.v. Phytonadione suggested that the vehicle, polyoxylated castor oil, was responsible. No prior exposure or sensitization was documented for the reaction. Riegert-Johnson 2002

toxicology

R. communis is a commonly cultivated plant and the beans' use as an ornamental makes them attractive to young children. The leaves and seeds of the plant contain the toxic protein ricin and the alkaloid ricinine. Di Berardino 2003, Kinamore 1980 Nevertheless, deaths from castor bean plants or beans are rare. Between 1983 and 2002, no deaths were recorded by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Doan 2004, O'Connell 2005, Spivak 2005, and recent analyzes of case reports suggest that the toxicity of castor bean poisoning is usually not severe. Doan 2004, Spivak 2005, Thornton 2014

The toxicity of ricin depends on both the dose and the route of administration. The intracellular absorption of ricin occurs relatively slowly; However, a small number of molecules can cause cell death through irreversible inactivation of ribosomes, resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005 In a primate study, a dose-dependent latency to onset of symptoms of up to 24 hours was demonstrated after inhalation exposure, with death occurring within 36 to 48 hours.Spivak 2005

The mean lethal dose is lowest for inhaled administration and highest for intragastric administration. Inhalation of castor dust can cause pulmonary and systemic effects in factory workers. Poor absorption results from ingestion of the bean as enzymatic degradation occurs. Contact dermatitis has been reported, but skin absorption is poor. Spivak 2005 experiments in rats and mice to determine the distribution of ricin found that 50% to 68% of the intravenous dose was present in the liver, muscle and spleen. Doan 2004, Spivak 2005 Parenteral ricin doses of up to 20 µg/m 2 were well tolerated in clinical studies, with flu-like symptoms and muscle pain reported as side effects.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Treatment for castor bean or castor bean poisoning is generally symptomatic. Doan 2004, O'Connell 2002 Administration of intravenous fluids and electrolytes is the standard response, but gastric lavage is appropriate if the beans or plant parts have been chewed. If the seeds were swallowed whole, poisoning is unlikely to occur. Doan 2004, O'Connell 2002 Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, gastrointestinal bleeding, anuria, fever and hypotension, as well as other symptoms of liver and kidney toxicity. Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

References

Disclaimer

This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness by the FDA and is not subject to the quality and safety information collection standards that apply to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not confirm that this product is safe, effective, or approved to treat any patient or medical condition. This is just a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT contain all information about the possible uses, instructions, warnings, precautions, interactions, side effects or risks that may apply to this product. This information does not constitute specific medical advice and does not replace the information you receive from your healthcare provider. You should speak to your doctor to get complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.

This product may interact negatively with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter medications, foods or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe if used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbs, vitamins, minerals, or other supplements you are taking before any surgery or medical procedure. With the exception of certain products generally considered safe in normal amounts, including the use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been adequately studied to determine whether it is safe for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in those younger than 2 years of age.

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