Acute toxicity studies with Jatropha curcas L.

Abdu-Aguye I, Sannusi A, Alafiya-Tayo RA, Bhusnurmath SR.

The seeds of Jatropha curcas L. ingested accidentally by two children
aged 3 and 5 years led to a clinical syndrome of restlessness, severe
vomiting and dehydration. A systematic study of the seeds indicated
that they produced toxic effects in mice. Macroscopic anal haemorrhage
and death occurred when the seeds were administered with the feed. Post-
mortem examination revealed infarction of various parts of the
gastrointestinal tract with congested vessels. Sodium chloride solution
(150 mmol/l: saline) extract of the dried seed administered
intraperitoneally into mice caused death in doses as low as 1 mg/kg.
Post-mortem studies in this case showed widespread haemorrhages
involving the colon, lungs as well as infarction of the liver. Larger
intraperitoneal doses (greater than 30 mg/kg) were lethal rapidly but
not associated with gross gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3488257&dopt=Citation