Medicinal Properties and Toxic Effects of the Seeds of Abrus precatorius, Datura metel, Physostigma venenosum and Ricinus communis used in Ethnomedicine in Nigeria: A Review

Abstract

Plants with medicinal properties are used all over the world for disease treatment. Poisonous phytochemicals (toxins) in some or all parts of these medicinal plants are the causeof the toxic effects exerted by some medicinal plants. The objective of this paper is to provide a review on themedicinal effects and toxic properties of the seeds of some medicinal plants (Abrus precatorius, Datura metel, Physostigma venenosum and Ricinus communis) used in ethnomedicine in Nigeria by harvesting secondary data from standard online sources. This review gives collective reports on the medicinal properties of Abrus precatorius, Datura metel, Physostigma venenosum andRicinus communis. The uses of the toxins isolated from the seeds of these plants in medicine are also reported in this review. Significant amount of information has been provided.