REVIEW OF GUNJA AND IT'S TOXICITY (ABRUS PRECATORIUS)

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Kushwaha* and Dr. Sheetal Choudhari**

ABSTRACT

In Ayurveda visha is of two types Sthavar Visha & Jangam Visha. Sthavara Visha is further subdivided into Mahavisha & Upavisha. Gunja is come under Upavisha which has less potent toxic than Mahavisha. Although it has poisonous tendency but it is used in various diseases, especially in the skin diseases. All the parts especially seeds of this plant are toxic & contain variety of toxalbumin glycosides like Abrin, Haemoagglutinin etc. Ingestion of Gunja result in nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dysarrythmia in most cases. Gunja (Abrus Precatorius) is used as medicine after proper detoxification(Shodhana Process) without Shodhana it act as poison. Gunja usually known for cattle poisoning & arrow poisoning. This article complies all the information related to Gunja Such as introduction its review, fatal dose, fatal period therapeutic action, Sign & symptom of it toxicity, Post Mortem appearance medico legal aspects etc.

Keywords: Gunja, Abrus precatorius, Abrin, Toxicity.