GOOD AND BAD EFFECTS OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS LINNAEUS - A REVIEW
Tanaya Ghosh, Prasenjit Mitra, Dilip Kumar Jha and Prasanta Kumar Mitra*
ABSTRACT
Abrus precatorius Linnaeus (A. precatorius L.), commonly known as Gunja / Indian liquorices, is a plant of the family „fabaceae‟. The plant has multidimensional medicinal properties. It has broad range of therapeutic effects like anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-migraine, anti-inflammatory, anti-serotonergic, anti-tumor, analgesic, anti-spasmodic etc. Due to these medicinal values, the plant is being used for therapeutic purpose since Vedic period. Even today different parts of the plant are being used in traditional medicine throughout the world. But, the plant is not free from toxicity. Leaves of A. precatorius L. was found toxic for cattle. It is toxic for other animals also. Experiments showed that extract of A. precatorius L. leaves could decrease hemoglobin concentration, RBC and WBC counts and increased levels of total serum protein, bilirubin, albumin as well as activities of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxalo acetate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in rats. Testicular degeneration was also noted. Further, leaves of A. precatorius L. could induce cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. Report from our laboratory suggested that A. precatorius L. leaf has in vitro anti thiamine activity and could cause body weight loss in growing rats. Due to these good and bad effects, A. precatorius L. occupies a distinct place in the plant world. In present review an attempt has been made to discuss these dual effects of A. precatorius L.
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