Dhakur (Cerbera odallam) – Static/Plant Poison | Liveveda

Introduction

The plant cerebra odollam grows all over India and its fruits resembles with unripe mangoes.

Active principles

1. Glycoside cerberin
2. Alkaloid cerebroside

Action

Cerbera odollam causes heart failure which ultimately leads to death.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Bitter taste in month
2. Nausea
3. Violent vomiting
4. Abdominal pain
5. Diarrhea
6. Purging
7. Irregular respiration
8. Bradycardia
9. Collapse and death.

Fatal dose

Kernel of one fruit

Fatal period

1 to 2 days

Treatment

1. Gastric lavage
2. Intravenous administration of molar solution of sodium lactate to combat acidosis and 5 percent solution with 1.2 mg atropine, 2 ml of adrenaline 1 : 1000 and 2 mg of nor adrenaline ( if blood pressure is low) to combat heart block.
3. Symptomatic treatment

Post-mortem appearance

1. Nothing specific
2. Signs of gastrointestinal irritation and congestion of various organs may be seen

Medico-legal Importance

1. Poisoning is common in India where the kernel of the fruit is eaten to commit suicide mostly in dowry cases.
2. Accidental poisoning may occur in children who eat the fruit by mistake.
3. Homicidal poisoning may occur by adding the powdered kernel to alcohol/