Castor

Generic name: Ricinus Communis L.
Brand names: African Coffee Tree, Bofareira, Castor, Mexico Weed, Ogiri-igbo, Palma Christi, Tangantangan Oil Plant, Wonder Tree

Usage of Castor

Cancer

A review suggests a potential application of ricin as a chemotherapeutic agent considering its ribosome-inactivating properties. Clinical studies are, however, lacking.Tyagi 2015

Chemical warfare

Ricin has been 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 used in the development of an antiricin vaccine as a defensive biological agent. Animal studies have investigated active immunization and passive prophylaxis with limited success. A genetically engineered form of a ricin subunit elicited antibodies in animals and may protect against larger doses of ricin.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Induction of labor

Castor Oil was widely used to induce labor by US midwives in the past, but use was reported to have declined.Sicuranza 2003, Tenore 2003 However, according to state-wide surveys in California, Texas, and North Carolina, castor oil was one of the most common herbs used by certified or licensed midwives for labor induction.Dennehy 2010

Reviews of trials and case reports find no evidence supporting this use.Kelly 2003, Tenore 2003 Doses cited range from 5 to 120 mL; however, no clinical data are available to support these doses.Sicuranza 2003 One proposed mechanism of action is stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin E synthesis by ricinoleic acid.Sicuranza 2003

No morbidity or mortality data are available in these studies for either mother or newborn. Nausea was commonly reported. Complications included amniotic fluid embolism after a single 30 mL dose and uterine rupture after a 5 mL dose in a woman with a previous cesarean delivery.Sicuranza 2003

Laxative/purgative

The oil has long been used as a laxative and purgative following treatment for intestinal parasites. The components of castor oil are known to exert a cathartic effect.Bradberry 2003, Duke 1985, Rajshekhar 2004

Ophthalmic

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

Vehicle/solubilizer

Castor oil is used for its water-insoluble lipid and surfactant properties in certain oral and injectable drugs and vitamin preparations, including cyclosporin 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 combined with Peru balsam and trypsin.Glenn 2006, Gray 2004

Castor side effects

Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy to castor bean dust was common among castor oil factory workers, presenting as an increased incidence of asthma.Marin 2006

Case reports of allergic reactions to the castor oil component in topical preparations exist, including reactions to vaginal lubricating gels.Di Berardino 2003

A review of anaphylactic reactions to IV phytonadione suggested that the vehicle polyoxylated castor oil was responsible. No previous exposure or sensitization was documented for the reaction.Riegert-Johnson 2002

Before taking Castor

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

How to use Castor

Dosages of castor seed oil vary considerably, with 5 to 120 mL reported as a single dose in the literature. The lower dose has been used as a purgative, and the higher dose has been used to induce labor.Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Warnings

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

Toxicity of ricin is dependent on both the dose and the route of administration. Intracellular uptake of ricin is relatively slow; however, a small number of molecules can cause cell death via irreversible inactivation of ribosomes leading to 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 following inhalation exposure, with death occurring within 36 to 48 hours.Spivak 2005

The mean lethal dose is lowest for the inhalational route and highest for the intragastric route. Inhalation of castor bean dust may lead to 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 dermal absorption is poor.Spivak 2005 Experiments in rats and mice to determine the distribution of ricin found 50% to 68% of the IV dose in the liver, muscle, and spleen.Doan 2004, Spivak 2005 Parenteral doses of ricin up to 20 mcg/m 2 in clinical trials were well tolerated, with adverse reactions of flu-like symptoms and muscle pain reported.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Management of castor or ricin poisoning is generally symptomatic.Doan 2004, O'Connell 2002 Administration of IV fluids and electrolytes is the standard response, but gastric lavage is appropriate if the beans or plant parts have been chewed. If the seeds have been swallowed whole, poisoning is unlikely to occur.Doan 2004, O'Connell 2002 Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, GI hemorrhage, anuria, fever, and hypotension, as well as signs of liver and renal toxicity.Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

What other drugs will affect Castor

The kinetics of digoxin were affected by coadministration of the castor oil derivative polyoxyl 35 castor oil. Oral cremophor delayed and enhanced absorption of an oral dose of digoxin 0.5 mg in healthy adults. The increase in plasma digoxin concentrations did not result in clinical effects.(Tayrouz 2003) Experimental interactions with IV doxorubicin and doxorubicinol and oral saquinavir also have been observed, with proposed action via interference with the efflux pump P-glycoprotein membrane transporter. Interactions with other drugs with relatively low bioavailability, such as amiodarone and phenytoin, are theoretically possible.(Tayrouz 2003)

Sodium sulfate: Laxatives (stimulant) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of sodium sulfate. Specifically, the risk of mucosal ulceration or ischemic colitis may be increased. Avoid combination.(Suclear January 2013, Suprep July 2020, Sutab November 2020)

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.