Kutantan, a traditional Chinese medicine, is also known as "tu da feng zi", "chong tian zi", "ku can zi", "zhu yao zi", and "ri tou ji". It is the seed of the leguminous plant thick fruit chicken blood vine. Due to the high toxicity of kutantan, what should be done in case of kutantan poisoning?
[Kutantan has antiviral properties]
When 1g/kg of the extract was injected into the abdominal cavity of mice, the animals lay on the ground and breathed faster. When 5g/kg was injected, respiratory distress and convulsions occurred, leading to death. In rural areas where kutantan is produced, it is used to poison fish and kill insects, and its toxicity to insect larvae is equivalent to that of arsenic.
[Precautions for kutantan]
It is highly toxic.
This species is a toxic plant recorded in the Chinese Plant Database. Its toxicity lies in the seeds and roots. The symptoms of poisoning in humans are similar to those of the fish vine. They include vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, dry mucous membranes, rapid breathing, and confusion.
When 1g/kg of the extract was injected into the abdominal cavity of mice, the animals lay on the ground and breathed faster. When 5g/kg was injected, respiratory distress and convulsions occurred, leading to death. In rural areas where kutantan is produced, it is used to poison fish and kill insects, and its toxicity to insect larvae is equivalent to that of arsenic.
[What to do in case of kutantan poisoning]
In the early stages, gastric lavage, lubricating protective agents, and fluid supplementation can be considered for symptomatic treatment. However, in Yunnan Simao, 2-3 qian of crushed kutantan root was used to extract juice for oral administration to treat acute gastroenteritis, with satisfactory results. If conditions permit, it can be tried under strict observation.
