Toxicological studies on ratanjyot oil

V. M. Gandhi, K. M. Cherian and M. J. Mulky

Environmental Safety Laboratory, Hindustan Lever Ltd, Chakala,
Andheri (East), Bombay-400099, India

Accepted 29 July 1994. ; Available online 2 May 2003.




Abstract
Ratanjyot (Jatropha curcas) grows wild in many parts of India and
Brazil. Experimental studies on the toxicity of its oil are scarce
despite its use as a cathartic purgative, for treatment of many
ailments in human medicine and in industrial applications. This study
aims to provide data on its toxicity. The proximate composition of
the kernels and physicochemical characteristics of its oil were
determined. The kernels constitute 62% of the seed and contain 52%
oil, which is reported to contain phorbol esters. A toxic fraction
(2.4%) containing the phorbol esters was isolated from the oil. The
acute oral LD50 of the oil was found to be 6 ml/kg body weight in
rats. The oil caused severe diarrhoea and gastro-intestinal
inflammation. The isolated toxic fraction, when applied to the skin
of rabbits and rats, produced a severely irritant reaction followed
by necrosis; in mice, this fraction had a dermally toxic and lethal
effect. The oil and the toxic fraction at 25 and I mg respectively in
10 ml saline showed haemolytic activity, disrupting red blood cells.
Detoxification or complete removal of the potent toxins present in
ratanjyot oil is essential before its use in industrial applications
or in human medicine can be considered.

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