JEQUIRITY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Jequirity is a climbing plant. The roots, leaves, and beans have been used as medicine.

Jequirity is poisonous. Despite serious safety concerns, some people take jequirity by mouth for asthma, constipation, liver disease, and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

The jequirity plant contains many chemicals. Some chemicals in the leaves and root may help with allergy symptoms, improve blood sugar levels, slow blood clotting, reduce swelling, and kill bacteria, tapeworms, or cancer cells. Jequirity bean contains abrin, which is toxic to cells in the body.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Quickening labor.
Causing an abortion.
Preventing pregnancy.
Pain in terminally ill patients.
Eye inflammation.
Asthma.
Bronchial tube swelling.
Fever.
Hepatitis.
Malaria.
Seizures.
Snakebites.
Sore throat.
Stomach pain.
Tapeworms.
Coughs.
Common cold.
Flu.
Insect bites.
Gonorrhea.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of jequirity for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Jequirity is LIKELY UNSAFE. Jequirity contains a chemical called abrin. Abrin is a poison and can cause death, even at low doses. Symptoms of toxicity include stomach cramping, followed by vomiting and severe diarrhea that can become bloody. Other symptoms include seizures, weakness, a fast heart rate, and liver or kidney failure. Symptoms can happen within hours or appear up to several days later. Death can occur after 3-4 days of persistent stomach problems and other symptoms.

When seeds come in contact with the skin, they can cause swelling, irritation, and severe eye problems.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jequirity is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Jequirity contains a chemical called abrin, which is a poison. Also, jequirity might cause labor to start. Avoid use.

Children: Jequirity is UNSAFE in children. Children are attracted to the bright colors of the seed, which is unfortunate since children are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of jequirity bean. Children can die after swallowing just one seed. If exposure to jequirity bean is suspected, get immediate medical assistance.

Bleeding disorder: Jequirity might slow blood clotting. In theory, this might make bleeding disorders worse.

Diabetes: Jequirity might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use jequirity.

Surgery: Jequirity might slow blood clotting or lower blood sugar. In theory, jequirity might increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using jequirity at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with JEQUIRITY
Jequirity might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking jequirity along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with JEQUIRITY
Jequirity might slow blood clotting. Taking jequirity along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with JEQUIRITY
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Jequirity might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of jequirity depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for jequirity. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Bidzinska B, Petraglia F, Angioni S, et al. Effect of different chronic intermittent stressors and acetyl-l-carnitine on hypothalamic beta-endorphin and GnRH and on plasma testosterone levels in male rats. Neuroendocrinology 1993;57:985-90. View abstract.

Brass EP. Pivalate-generating prodrugs and carnitine homeostasis in man. Pharmacol Rev 2002;54:589-98. View abstract.

Brennan BP, Jensen JE, Hudson JI, Coit CE, Beaulieu A, Pope HG Jr, Renshaw PF, Cohen BM. A placebo-controlled trial of acetyl-L-carnitine and a-lipoic acid in the treatment of bipolar depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2013 Oct;33(5):627-35. View abstract.

Brooks JO 3rd, Yesavage JA, Carta A, Bravi D. Acetyl L-carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer's disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach. Int Psychoger 1998;10:193-203. View abstract.

Bruno A, Pandolfo G, Crucitti M, Lorusso S, Zoccali RA, Muscatello MR. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Augmentation of Clozapine in Partial-Responder Schizophrenia: A 12-Week, Open-Label Uncontrolled Preliminary Study. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2016;39(6):277-80.View abstract.

Callander N, Markovina S, Eickhoff J, Hutson P, Campbell T, Hematti P, Go R, Hegeman R, Longo W, Williams E, Asimakopoulos F, Miyamoto S. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib, doxorubicin and low-dose dexamethasone: a study from the Wisconsin Oncology Network. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2014 Oct;74(4):875-82. View abstract.

Campone M, Berton-Rigaud D, Joly-Lobbedez F, Baurain JF, Rolland F, Stenzl A, Fabbro M, van Dijk M, Pinkert J, Schmelter T, de Bont N, Pautier P. A double-blind, randomized phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acetyl-L-carnitine in the prevention of sagopilone-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oncologist. 2013;18(11):1190-1. View abstract.

Campos Y, Arenas J. Muscle carnitine deficiency associated with zidovudine-induced mitochondrial myopathy. Ann Neurol 1994;36:680-1. View abstract.

Castro-Gago M, Eiris-Punal J, Novo-Rodriguez MI, et al. Serum carnitine levels in epileptic children before and during treatment with valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital. J Child Neurol 1998;13:546-9. View abstract.

Cavallini G, Caracciolo S, Vitali G, et al. Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging. Urology 2004;63:641-6. View abstract.

Coulter DL. Carnitine, valproate, and toxicity. J Child Neurol 1991;6:7-14. View abstract.

Coulter DL. Prevention of hepatotoxicity recurrence with valproate monotherapy and carnitine. Ann Neurol 1988;24:301.

Cucinotta D, Passeri M, Ventura S, et al. Multicenter clinical placebo-controlled study with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in the treatment of mildly demented elderly patients. Drug Development Res 1988;14:213-6.

Curran MWT, Morhart MJ, Olson JL, Hachisuka A, Chan KM. Acetyl-L-Carnitine to Enhance Nerve Regeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 Jan;143(1):111e-120e. View abstract.

D'Orio M, De Vitis R, Taccardo G, et al. Clinical usefulness of nutraceutics with acetyl-L-carnitine, a-lipoic acid, phosphatidylserine, curcumin, C, E and B-group vitamins in patients awaiting for carpal tunnel release during COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled open label prospective study. Acta Biomed 2023;94(S2):e2023050. View abstract.

Dalakas MC, Leon-Monzon ME, Bernardini I, et al. Zidovudine-induced mitochondrial myopathy is associated with muscle carnitine deficiency and lipid storage. Ann Neurol 1994;35:482-7. View abstract.

De Grandis D, Minardi C. Acetyl-L-carnitine (levacecarnine) in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. A long-term, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Drugs R D 2002;3:223-31. View abstract.

De Vivo DC, Bohan TP, Coulter DL, et al. L-carnitine supplementation in childhood epilepsy: Current perspectives. Epilepsia 1998;39:1216-25. View abstract.

Deeks SG, Collier A, Lalezari J, et al. The safety and efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil, a novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy, in HIV-infected adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Infect Dis 1997;176:1517-23. View abstract.

Di Marzio L, Moretti S, D'Alo S, et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine administration increases insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects: correlation with its suppressive effect on lymphocyte apoptosis and ceramide generation. Clin Immunol 1999;92:103-10. View abstract.

Evans AM, Fornasini G. Pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine. Clin Pharmacokinet 2003;42:941-67. View abstract.

Freeman JM, Vining EPG, Cost S, Singhi P. Does carnitine administration improve the symptoms attributed to anticonvulsant medications? A double-blinded, crossover study. Pediatrics 1994;93:893-5. View abstract.

Garzya G, Corallo D, Fiore A, et al. Evaluation of the effects of L-acetylcarnitine on senile patients suffering from depression. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1990;16:101-6. View abstract.

Georgala S, Schulpis KH, Georgala C, Michas T. L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cystic acne on isotretinoin therapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 1999;13:205-9. View abstract.

Georges B, Galland S, Rigault C, et al. Beneficial effects of L-carnitine in myoblastic C2C12 cells. Interaction with zidovudine. Biochem Pharmacol 2003;65:1483-8.. View abstract.

Golan R, Weissenberg R, Lewin LM. Carnitine and acetylcarnitine in motile and immotile human spermatozoa. Int J Androl 1984;7:484-94. View abstract.

Goodison G, Overeem K, de Monte V, Siskind D. Mania associated with self-prescribed acetyl-l-carnitine in a man with bipolar I disorder. Australas Psychiatry. 2017;25(1):13-4. View abstract.

Hakimizad R, Soltani R, Khorvash F, Marjani M, Dastan F. The effect of acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10 combination in preventing anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Iran J Pharm Res 2021;20(3):431-40. View abstract.

Hart AM, Wilson AD, Montovani C, et al. Acetyl-l-carnitine: a pathogenesis based treatment for HIV-associated antiretroviral toxic neuropathy. AIDS 2004;18:1549-60. View abstract.

Hershman DL, Unger JM, Crew KD, et al. Two-year trends of taxane-induced neuropathy in women enrolled in a randomized trial of acetyl-L-carnitine (SWOG S0715). J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018;110(6):669-676. View abstract.

Hershman DL, Unger JM, Crew KD, Minasian LM, Awad D, Moinpour CM, Hansen L, Lew DL, Greenlee H, Fehrenbacher L, Wade JL 3rd, Wong SF, Hortobagyi GN, Meyskens FL, Albain KS. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of acetyl-L-carnitine for the prevention of taxane-induced neuropathy in women undergoing adjuvant breast cancer therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Jul 10;31(20):2627-33. View abstract.

Heuberger W, Berardi S, Jacky E, et al. Increased urinary excretion of carnitine in patients treated with cisplatin. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1998;54:503-8. View abstract.

Hirose S, Mitsudome A, Yasumoto S, et al. Valproate therapy does not deplete carnitine levels in otherwise healthy children. Pediatrics 1998;101:E9 (abstract). View abstract.

Holme E, Greter J, Jacobson CE, et al. Carnitine deficiency induced by pivampicillin and pivmecillinam therapy. Lancet 1989;2:469-73. View abstract.

Hug G, McGraw CA, Bates SR, et al. Reduction of serum carnitine concentrations during anticonvulsant therapy with phenobarbital, valproic acid, phenytoin, and carbamazepine in children. J Pediatr 1991;119:799-802. View abstract.

Jeulin C, Lewin LM. Role of free L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in post-gonadal maturation of mammalian spermatozoa. Hum Reprod Update 1996;2:87-102. View abstract.

Adedapo AA, Omoloye OA, Ohore OG. Studies on the toxicity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Abrus precatorius in rats. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2007;74(1):31-36. View abstract.

Adelowotan O, Aibinu I, Adenipekun E, Odugbemi T. The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of Abrus precatorius (L) fabaceae extract on some clinical pathogens. Niger Postgrad Med J 2008;15(1):32-37. View abstract.

Agarwal SS, Ghatak N, Arora RB, Bhardwaj MM. Antifertility activity of the roots of Abrus precatorius, Linn. Pharma Res Comm 1970;2(2):159-163.

Ai C, Miao X, Wang L, He J. Discovery and Activity Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effect of Four Kinds Traditional Chinese Medicine Extracts on the CYP3A4 Enzyme. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2022. View abstract.

Andrews JA. Jequirity Ophthalmia. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1884;3:679-685. View abstract.

Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Maiti S, Maiti TK. Antitumor and proapoptotic effect of Abrus agglutinin derived peptide in Dalton's lymphoma tumor model. Chem Biol Interact 2008;174(1):11-18. View abstract.

Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Maiti S, Maiti TK. Inhibitory effect of Abrus abrin-derived peptide fraction against Dalton's lymphoma ascites model. Phytomedicine 2009;16(4):377-385. View abstract.

Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Maiti S, Mishra D, Maiti TK. Abrus abrin derived peptides induce apoptosis by targeting mitochondria in HeLa cells. Cell Biol Int 2009;33(7):720-727. View abstract.

Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Maiti TK. In vitro immunostimulatory properties of Abrus lectins derived peptides in tumor bearing mice. Phytomedicine 2009;16(8):776-782. View abstract.

Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Stevens SM, et al. Induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by Abrus agglutinin derived peptides in human cervical cancer cell. Toxicol In Vitro 2008;22(2):344-351. View abstract.

Cheng J, Lu TH, Liu CL, Lin JY. A biophysical elucidation for less toxicity of agglutinin than abrin-a from the seeds of Abrus precatorius in consequence of crystal structure. J Biomed Sci 2010;17:34. View abstract.

Davies JH. Abrus precatorius (rosary pea). The most common lethal plant poison. J Fla Med Assoc 1978;65:188-91.

Dickers KJ, Bradberry SM, Rice P, Griffiths GD, Vale JA. Abrin poisoning. Toxicol Rev 2003;22(3):137-142. View abstract.

Fernando C. Poisoning due to Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean). Anaesthesia 2001;56:1178-80. View abstract.

Garaniya N, Bapodra A. Ethno botanical and Phytophrmacological potential of Abrus precatorius L.: A review. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014;4(Suppl 1):S27-34. View abstract.

Georgewill OA, Georgewill UO. Anti-arthritic activity of abrus precatorious in albino rats. Internet J Laboratory Med 2010;4(1).

Ghosh D, Bhutia SK, Mallick SK, Banerjee I, Maiti, T. K. Stimulation of murine B and T lymphocytes by native and heat-denatured Abrus agglutinin. Immunobiology 2009;214(3):227-234. View abstract.

Ghosh D, Maiti TK. Effects of native and heat-denatured Abrus agglutinin on tumor-associated macrophages in Dalton's lymphoma mice. Immunobiology 2007;212(8):667-673. View abstract.

Ghosh D, Maiti TK. Immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities of native and heat denatured Abrus agglutinin. Immunobiology 2007;212(7):589-599. View abstract.

Gul MZ, Ahmad F, Kondapi AK, Qureshi IA, Ghazi IA. Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Abrus precatorius leaf extracts--an in vitro study. BMC Complement Altern Med 2013;13:53. View abstract.

Huang J, Zhang W, Li X, et al. Acute abrin poisoning treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and hemoperfusion successfully: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(27):e7423. View abstract.

Jang DH, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS. Attempted suicide, by mail order: Abrus precatorius. J Med Toxicol 2010;6(4):427-430. View abstract.

Karthikeyan A, Amalnath SD. Abrus precatorius poisoning: a retrospective study of 112 patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2017;21(4):224-5. View abstract.

Kuo SC, Chen SC, Chen LH, et al. Potent antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic isoflavanquinones from the roots of Abrus precatorius. Planta Med 1995;61:307-12. View abstract.

Limmatvapirat C, Sirisopanaporn S, Kittakoop P. Antitubercular and antiplasmodial constituents of Abrus precatorius. Planta Med 2004;70(3):276-278. View abstract.

Lin JY, Lee TC, Tung TC. Isolation of antitumor proteins abrin-A and abrin-B from Abrus precatorius. Int J Pept Protein Res 1978;12(5):311-317. View abstract.

Molgaard P, Nielsen SB, Rasmussen DE, et al. Anthelmintic screening of Zimbabwean plants traditionally used against schistosomiasis. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;74(3):257-264. View abstract.

Niyogi SK. Deadly crab's eye: Abrus precatorius poisoning. N Engl J Med 1969;281:51-2.

Niyogi SK. The toxicology of Abrus precatorius linnaeus. J Forensic Sci 1970;15:529-36.

Nwanjo HU. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of aqueous extracts of Abrus precatorius Linn seeds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. J Herbs Spice Med Plants 2008;14(1-2):68-76.

Okoko II, Osinubi AA, Olabiyi OO, et al. Antiovulatory and anti-implantation potential of the methanolic extract of seeds of Abrus precatorius in the rat. Endocr Pract 2010;16(4):554-560. View abstract.

Patil MM, Patil SV, Akki AS, Lakhkar B, Badiger S. An arrow poison (Abrus precatorius) causing fatal poisoning in a child. J Clin Diagn Res 2016;10(3):SD03-4. View abstract.

Pillay VV, Bhagyanathan PV, Krishnaprasad R, Rajesh RR, Vishnupriya N. Poisoning due to white seed variety of Abrus precatorius. J Assoc Physicians India 2005;53:317-319. View abstract.

Ramnath V, Kuttan G, Kuttan R. Effect of abrin on cell-mediated immune responses in mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2006;28(2):259-268. View abstract.

Ramnath V, Rekha PS, Kuttan G, Kuttan R. Regulation of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 Expression in Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites Cells by Abrin. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2009;6(2):233-238. View abstract.

Rao MV. Antifertility effects of alcoholic seed extract of Abrus precatorius Linn. in male albino rats. Acta Eur Fertil 1987;18(3):217-220. View abstract.

Sahni V, Agarwal SK, Singh NP, Sikdar S. Acute demyelinating encephalitis after jequirity pea ingestion (Abrus precatorius). Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2007;45(1):77-79. View abstract.

Sahoo R, Hamide A, Amalnath SD, Narayana BS. Acute demyelinating encephalitis due to Abrus precatorius poisoning--complete recovery after steroid therapy. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008;46(10):1071-1073. View abstract.

Sinha R. Post-testicular antifertility effects of Abrus precatorius seed extract in albino rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;28(2):173-181. View abstract.

Sinha S, Mathur RS. Effect of steroidal fraction of seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn. on rat testis. Indian J Exp Biol 1990;28(8):752-756. View abstract.

Somerset EJ. SELF INFLICTED CONJUNCTIVITIS: An account of cases produced by the jequirity and castor oil seeds. Br J Ophthalmol 1945;29(4):196-204. View abstract.

Subrahmanyan D, Mathew J, Raj M. An unusual manifestation of Abrus precatorius poisoning: a report of two cases. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008;46(2):173-175. View abstract.

Sullivan G, Chavez PI. Mexican good-luck charm potentially dangerous. Vet Hum Toxicol 1981;23:259-60.

Taur DJ, Patil RY. Mast cell stabilizing and antiallergic activity of Abrus precatorius in the management of asthma. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011;4(1):46-9. View abstract.

Tripathi S, Ghosh D, Maiti TK. Immunostimulatory role of tryptic digest of Abrus agglutinin. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2004;26(3):411-424. View abstract.

Tripathi S, Maiti TK. Immunomodulatory role of native and heat denatured agglutinin from Abrus precatorius. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2005;37(2):451-462. View abstract.

Umamahesh B, Veeresham C. Antihyperglycemic and insulin secretagogue activities of Abrus precatorius leaf extract. Pharmacognosy Res 2016;8(4):303-8. View abstract.

Wang JP, Hsu MF, Chang LC, et al. Inhibition of plasma extravasation by abruquinone A, a natural isoflavanquinone isolated from Abrus precatorius. Eur J Pharmacol 1995;273:73-81. View abstract.

Wu JH, Wu AM, Yang Z, et al. Recognition intensities of submolecular structures, mammalian glyco-structural units, ligand cluster and polyvalency in abrin-a-carbohydrate interactions. Biochimie 2010;92(2):147-156. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2024 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.