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Abrus precatorius Linn (Fabaceae): phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses,

ethnopharmacology and pharmacological activities

Article · September 2016

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International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

ISSN: 2455-4685, Impact Factor: RJIF 5.28
www.pharmacyjournal.net
Volume 1; Issue 6; September 2016; Page No. 37-43

Abrus precatorius Linn (Fabaceae): phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses, ethnopharmacology and

pharmacological activities
Samuel Ehiabhi Okhale, Ezekwesiri Michael Nwanosike
Department of Medicinal Plant Research and Tradidtional Medicine, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development, IDU Industrial Area, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract
The ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology and pharmacological applications of Abrus precatorius L
(Fabaceae), an endemic medicinal plant in Nigeria is herein highlighted. In traditional medicine, this plant is useful for treating
cough, sores, wounds caused by dogs, cats and mice, mouth ulcer, gonorrhea, jaundice and haemoglobinuric bile, tuberculous
painful swellings, skin diseases, bronchitis, hepatitis, schistosomiasis, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, migraine and eye pain.
Phytochemical studies of bioactive constituents of Abrus precatorius have been reported. Several types of alkaloids, terpenoids and
flavonoids including luteolin, abrectorin, orientin, isoorientin, and desmethoxycentaviridin-7-O-rutinoside, glycyrrhizin, abrusoside
A to D, abrusogenin and abruquinones D, E and F were identified from the plant. Various pharmacological studies on A. precatorius
showed it possessed antimicrobial, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Abrus precatorius seeds contain abrin, one of the
most potent toxins known to man. However, because of the seed’s outer hard coat, ingestion of uncrushed seeds caused only mild
symptoms and typically results in complete recovery. In ethnomedicinal practice, seven whole seeds of A. precatorius are ingested
in a single dose to aid vision. Ingestion of the crushed seeds causes more serious toxicity, including death. This species is an
important medicinal herb which can be used for various purposes. Further scientific study of Abrus precatorius is required to
evaluate the acclaimed traditional uses and discover new lead compounds.

Keywords: Abrus precatorius, phytochemistry, abrin, ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacology

Introduction The medicinal properties are attributed to several bioactive

Abrus precatorius L known as “Idon Zakara” in Hausa is phytoconstituents, including albrin which is poisonous [12]. This
indigenous to India. It is commonly found in tropical and article seeks to provide update on the ethnomedicinal
subtropical regions. It grows wild in thickets, farms, secondary applications, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and
clearings and sometimes in hedges. It is most common in rather pharmacology of Abrus precatorius toward identification of
dry areas at low elevation throughout the tropics and subtropics further research directions, among others.
and is known as rosary pea [1, 2]. The name Abrus, meaning
beautiful or graceful, is used to describe the appearance of the Table 1: Abrus species
seed [3]. Other names include prayer bean, Crab’s eye, Indian Abrus kaokoensis Swanepoel & H.
Abrus aureus R. Vig.
liquorice, Ratti, jequerity pea, precatory beans, jumble beans, Kolberg
saga-saga, and lucky beans [4]. It belongs to the family Fabaceae. Abrus baladensis Thulin Abrus schimperi Baker
Abrus is a genus of 13 to 18 species [5]. Synonyms include Abrus Abrus canescens Baker Abrus sambiranensis R.Vig.
aureus (Madagascar), Abrus baladensis (Somalia), Abrus Abrus diversifoliatus Breteler Abrus pulchellus Thwaites
Abrus fruticulosus Wight & Arn. Abrus precatorius L.
canescens, Rhynchosia precatoria, Abrus madagascariensis
Abrus gawenensis Thulin Abrus parvifolius (R.Vig.) Verdc.
(Madagascar), Abrus parvifolius (Madagascar), Abrus Abrus laevigatus E.Mey. Abrus madagascariensis R.Vig.
pulchellus (Africa), Abrus sambiranensis (Madagascar), Abrus Abrus longibracteatus Labat Abrus lusorius Vell.
schimperi (Africa), Abrus somalensis (Somalia), Abrus wittei
(Zaire) among others [6]. Some species of the genus Abrus are Morphological description (botanical description)
as shown in Table 1. The Leaves resemble tamarind leaves Abrus precatorius is an ornamental, twining, woody vine which
having 20-40 leaflets and the plant is described as beautiful, grows to a height of 10 to 20 feet when supported by other
much branched, slender, perennial, deciduous, woody, prickly plants. Leaves are alternate, compound, feather-like, pinnately
twinning or climbing herb [7]. The leaves have been used as food divided, with small oblong leaflets 3. The branches are greenish
and as medicine. It is commonly chewed or sucked to obtain its yellow in colour. The Flowers are numerous and appear in the
sweet taste [8]. It is also reportedly boiled with food for example, leaf axils along the stems. They are small and occur in clusters
cereal pulp, as a sweetener and even as a vegetable. Also, fresh 1 to 3 inches long, usually red to purple, or occasionally white.
leaves have been reportedly pressed on the gum for sores in the The fruit is a legume (pea shaped pod) about 3 cm long
mouth and used in many countries in preparations for skin containing hard ovoid seeds (shiny, scarlet and black in colour)
cancer [9, 10]. A. precatorius leaves have also been used in about 1 cm long. The seeds are red with a black spot covering
Nigeria for the treatment of many diseases including malaria, one end (Figure 1). The root is woody, tortuous and much
typhoid, cough, respiratory tract infections and hepatitis [11]. branched, with a sweet taste, rather like liquorice [13].
37
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

According to the Nigerian folk medicine, evaporated alcoholic

extracts are widely used in vaginal pessaries for abortion [24]. In
Ayurvedic medicine, leaves of A. precatorius are used for their
laxative expectorant and aphrodisiac effect [25] as well as for
treatment of stomatitis, conjunctivitis, alopecia, migraine,
lymphomas/leukemia [26] and dysmenorhea [14]. Decoction of the
leaf is used for the treatment of cough. The root is used as
treatment for venereal diseases. Decoction of the whole aerial
plant is used for treatment of pneumonia and the powdered seed
is sprinkled in the eye at night to treat eye pain (Personal
Communication, Muazzam 2016).

Ethnopharmacology
Extracts of A. precatorius have been found to possess
antibacterial, antifungal [27], anticancer [28], analgesic [29], anti-
inflammatory [22, 30], antispasmodic [31], antidiabetic [32, 33],
antiserotonergic [34], antimigraine [35], abortifacient [36] and
Fig 1: Picture of Abrus precatorius
antihelminthic [23].
Geographical distribution The water extract of A. precatorius seeds administered
Abrus precatorius is a plant that originates from Southeast Asia intraperitoneally to mice was active in sarcomas - antitumor
and is native to India. It is found in subtropical areas of the activity [37, 38]. The ethanol extract of leaves of A. precatorius
world and in all tropical countries. It grows at altitudes up to showed marked effect on milk-induced leucocytosis and
1200 m on the outer Himalayas. It is a common plant in Nigeria eosinophilia in the management of asthma [39]. Also, the leaf
[3, 14]
. methanol extract produced dose-dependent bronchodilator
activity, justifying the use of the plant in asthma [40]. Platelet
Taxonomic Description inhibiting activities attributed to abruquinones had been
The taxonomic description of Abrus precatorius is outlined in observed [41, 42]. Other activities include antifertility, decreased
Table 2: sperm motility and altered sperm morphology in epididymis,
antiestrogenic [43, 44]; antiepileptic [45]; nephroprotective [46, 47, 48];
Table 2: Taxonomic description of A. precatorius immunomodulator, immunostimulatory [49, 50]; insecticidal [51];
antiviral, antidepressant [16, 18]; anti-oxidative [52]; cytotoxic [53];
Kingdom Plantae
neuroprotective [54]; diuretic, antimalarial [55], which is
Division Magnoliophyta
attributed to abruquinone, an isoflavanquinone, isolated from
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Fabales the extract of aerial parts [56, 57]. Other pharmacological activities
Family Fabaceae exhibited include antiallergic [39] and anticataract [22, 58].
Subfamily Faboideae
Tribe Abreae Phytochemistry
Genus Abrus Secondary metabolites present in A. precatorius include
Species Abrus precatorius Linn. alkaloids [59], flavonoids/flavones such as luteolin, abrectorin,
orientin, isoorientin, and desmethoxycentaviridin-7-O-
Ethnomedicinal uses rutinoside [60], triterpene glycosides, saponins, steroids and
All parts of Abrus precatorius are used in traditional medicine other terpenoids, fixed oil carbohydrate, protein, tannins,
practice including the dried red-black colored seeds, leaves and
anthocyanins and amino acids. The plant roots and leaves
roots [15, 16]. The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat
scratches, sores and wounds caused by dogs, cats and mice [17] contain sweet-tasting glycyrrhizin as a major phytoconstituent
[61]
and are also used with other ingredients to treat leucoderma, .
tetanus and rabies [15]. The leaves are used as nerve tonic [18], Other phytoconstituents unique to Abrus precatorius are sweet-
applied on cuts and swellings and mouth ulcer 5. The roots are tasting abrusoside A to D and abrusogenin, a triterpene [62]
used for gonorrhea, jaundice and haemoglobinuric bile [15]. The isolated from an n-butanol soluble extract of the leaves, as well
fixed oil extracted from seeds is said to promote the growth of as abrus agglutinin, isoflavanquinones including abruquinones
human hair [19]. The seed oil has potent antimicrobial activity D, E and F.
[20]
. The powdered seeds are also useful in tuberculous painful
swellings [16]. The leaves are used for their anti-suppurative Abrin
properties [6]. In addition, the leaves are often used as a Abrin, the toxic principle, is a mixture of at least five lectins,
substitute for liquorice and are useful in leucoderma, itching and
abrin A - D, and abrus-agglutinin. The abrins consist of two
other skin diseases [21]. The decoction is widely used for cough,
cold and colic; Decoction of dried root is used to treat bronchitis peptide chains connected by a disulfide bridge. Abrin A consists
and hepatitis [22]. For graying of hair, a paste of leaves and seeds of an A-chain with N-glycosidase activity, which inhibits
is applied [15]. The juice is employed as a cure for hoarseness; protein synthesis, and lectin-like B-chain responsible for
mixed with oil, it can be applied to painful swellings [6]. A. binding with cell-surface receptors and penetration of abrin-A
precatorius is known to be useful in treatment of molecule into the cell. The relative molecular weights of abrin
schistosomiasis [23]. A-C are around 64.000, that of two agglutinins 128.000 [63].
38
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Triterpenoids
Abrusosides A to D and Four Novel sweet triterpene Glycosides OH
In addition to abrusoside A, abrusosides B, C, and D, three HO
further sweet glycosides based on the novel cycloartane-type +
aglycone, abrusogenin, were isolated from an n-butanol soluble O
HO
extract of the leaves of Abrus precatorius. Also, the
dichloromethane extract of the pericarp of Abrus precatorius HO
afforded abrusogenin [62, 64].
Delphindin
Flavonoids and Anthocyanins
Fig 3: Chemical structure of anthocyanidin present in Abrus
Flavonoids have been isolated from the seeds. From the aerial
precatorius
parts of A. precatorius two isoflavanqinones were extracted
with dichloromethane. From the roots of A.precatorius five
isoflavanquinones were extracted by methanol and separated by
O
partition chromatography on a silica gel column. Three of them
were new and were designated as abruquinones D, E, and F. OH O
Anthocyanins (eg abrectorin and delphinidin) are also present H2N
NH2
in the seeds 57.
N OH
Alkaloids H HO
The hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Albrus precatorius was Tryptophan Serine
found to contain Precatorine, trigonelline, choline and abrine 65.
Fig 4: Chemical structures of Amino acids present in Abrus
Carbohydrates and amino acids precatorius
Seeds are rich in several essential amino acids like serine,
alanine, valine, choline and methyl ester [66]; carbohydrates such O
as galactose, arabinose, and xylose are present in the aerial parts HO
[6]
.
HO

OH

Arabinose
Fig 5: Chemical structure of sugar present in Abrus precatorius

O O

O
O

O O
O
Abruquinone A

Fig 2: Chemical structures of alkaloids present in Abrus precatorius Fig 6: Chemical structure of isoflavanquinone present in Abrus
precatorius

O
OH OH
OH OH HO OH
HO O O
H O
HO O
O O
O H
HO HO HO H
O H
HO O
O
HO O
Glycyrrhizin Abrusoside

Fig 7: Chemical structure of triterpenoids present in Abrus precatorius

39
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Table 3: Phytochemical constituents present in the different parts of Abrus precatorius

Plant part Phytochemicals present Reference
[63]
Sujit et al, 2012;
[64]
Karawya, 1981
abrin, abruslactone A, abrusoside A, abrusoside C, abrusoside D, hemiphloin, abrusoside, arabinose, galactose, [62] Ragasa et al, 2013
Leaves [65]
xylose, choline, hypaphorin, precatorine, glycyrrhizin, montanyl alcohol, inositol, D-monomethyl ether, pinitol Chang et al, 1983
[66]
Paul et al, 2013
[8]
Kennelly et al, 1996
abrol, abrasine, precol, protein, abraline, abricin, abrusogenic acid, abrusogenic acid methyl-ester, abrus lactone,
abrussic acid, anthocyanins, calcium, campesterol, cycloartenol, delphindin, gallic acid, trigonelline, hypaphorine, [67] Ali and Malek, 1966;
choline, N,N-dimethyltryptophan, N,N-dimethyltryptophan-metho-cation-methylester, ρ- [68] Choi et al, 1989
Root
coumaroylglucodelphindin, pectin, pentosans, phosphorus, precatorine, polygalacturonic acids, polysaccharides, [69] Khaleqe et al, 1966
quinones, abruqinones A,B,C,D,E,F, O,G, arabinose, galactose, xylose, glycyrrhizin, oleanolic acid, 7,5-dihydroxy- [70] Saxena et al, 1999
6,49-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-D-galactopyranoside
Essential amino acids like serine, alanine, valine, abrusin, abrusin-2’-0-apioside, hederagenin,
abrusgenic-acid, abrusgenic-acid-methyl-ester, dimethoxycentaureidin-7-0-rutinoside, Abruslactone, [71] Mohan and
abrisapogenol, β-amyrin, abrin, abrussic-acid, anthocyanins, calcium, campesterol, choline, cycloartenol, Janardhanan, 1995;
Seeds delphinidin, gallic-acid, glycyrrhizin, hypaphorine, N, N-dimethyl-tryptophan, N,N-dimethyl-tryptophan-metho- [72] Rajaram and
cation-methyl-ester, ρ-coumaroylgalloyl glucodelphinidin, pectin, pentosans, picatorine, polygalacturonic-acids, Janardhanan, 1992
precasine, precatorine and protein trigonelline, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, iron, [73] Lefar et al, 1968
copper, cellulose and muscilase

Pharmacological activities serum enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate

Antimicrobial activity amminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and
The anti-microbial effects of Abrus precatorius extracts from bilirubin [65].
leaves, stem and the seed oil were evaluated against some
microorganisms namely Staphylococcus aureus, Toxicity
Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Abrus precatorius seeds contain abrin, one of the most potent
Streptococcus anginosus, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium toxins known to man. However, because of the seed’s outer hard
spp Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, coat the vast majority of ingestions cause only mild symptoms
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using the agar and typically results in complete recovery. If the seeds are
well diffusion technique. Among these, Staphylococcus aureus crushed and then ingested, more serious toxicity, including
was the most sensitive organism with an MIC of 8μg/ml for the death, can occur [12]. The unripe seed has a soft and easily
leaf extract. Extract from the stem and seed oil were potent broken seed coat and is very harmful due to its abrin content. It
against some of the gram-positive bacteria and Candida has been reported that poisoning has been experienced through
albicans but not against S. anginosus, E. faecalis and some a finger prick when stringing the seed. Symptoms may develop
gram-negative bacteria [20]. The presence of flavonoids, after a few hours to several days after ingestion. They include
alkaloids and saponins in the methanolic extract may be severe gastroenteritis with pronounced nausea and vomiting.
responsible for the antibacterial and antifungal activity [27]. Mydriasis will occur, as well, as muscular weakness,
Antimicrobial activity of Abrus precatorius seed methanol tachycardia, cold sweat, and trembling. There is no known
extract was investigated against ten bacterial species. The physiological antidote. The treatment is essentially
extract exhibited antibacterial activity towards almost all the symptomatic. Since there is a long latent period associated with
bacterial microorganisms [76]. abrin poisoning, little value can be placed on induction of
emesis or gastric lavage; these measures are useful only if
Antioxidant activity ingestion has just occurred. Bismuth trisilicate may be given
An ethanol seed extract of Abrus precatorius was evaluated for during poisoning by A. precatorius to reduce the degree of
antioxidant activity. The extract possessed potent antioxidant gastrointestinal damage. If the emesis and/or diarrhea become
activity in different enzymes levels when compared with excessive, replacement fluids and electrolytes are advocated [3].
reference compound butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) [52]. If hemorrhage occurs, blood transfusion may be necessary.

Antidiabetic and antiglycation effect Antiinflammatory and healing of wound

Chloroform- methanol extract of seeds of Abrus precatorius Abrus precatorius is known to possess antiseptic and
produce antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic in antiinflammatory activity, which makes it useful in treatment of
rabbits [32]. Ethanol-water extract of the aerial parts of A. wounds. In a study, different concentrations of ethanolic
precatorius at a dose of 250 mg/kg was shown to reduce 30% extracts of A. precatorius stem were investigated for evaluation
blood sugar level in rabbit model [77]. of wound healing activity in rats. Results demonstrated the
potential of A. precatorius in accelerating the wound healing
Hepatoprotective activity process using excision wound model. The ethanolic extract
The hydroalcoholic extract of Abrus precatorius (100 and 200 applied in the form of ointment showed significant reduction in
mg/kg) was administered orally to rats with hepatotoxicity epithelization period and wound contraction time, which can be
induced by paracetamol (3 g/kg). Silymarin (25 mg/kg) was due to several effects, direct or indirect [41].
given as reference standard. All the test drugs were
administered orally. Results showed that the extract possessed Antimalarial activity
hepatoprotective activity as there was significant reduction in Antiplasmodial activity assessment of Abrus precatorius extract
40
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

presented an IC 50 value below 20 g/ml. abruquinone, isolated International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review
from the extract of aerial parts, was found to exhibit the and Research. 2012; 13:71-76.
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for curing common ailments in India Positive Health. 2004;
Conclusion 102:28-30.
Abrus precatorius has been explored exhaustively for its 15. Narendra Garaniya, Atul Bapodra. Ethno botanical and
ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and Phytopharmacological potential of Abrus precatorius L.: A
ethnopharmacological applications. From the foregoing, it is review. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014, 4(Suppl 1):S27-
evident that Abrus precatorius has been used ethnomedicinally S34
as a valuable therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases. Myriads 16. Attal AR, Otari KV, Shete RV, Upasani CD, Nandgude
of phytocompounds found in this plant are responsible for its TD. Abrus precatorius Linnaeus: a phytopharmacological
pharmacological activities. However numerous therapeutic review. J Pharm Res. 2010; 3(11):2585-2587.
claims have been reported as the plant is gaining widespread 17. Chinnappan Alagesaboopathi, Rathinam Sivakumar.
popularity in terms of traditional medicinal uses. Therefore Studies on Wound Healing Activity of Red And Block
more investigations are proposed to validate these claims and Coloured Seed, White Coloured Seed Extracts of Abrus
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therapeutic benefits. Sciences. 2011; 2(1):302-312.
18. Elisabetsky E, Figueiro W, Oliveria G. Traditional
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