ABSTRACT
Abrus precatorius is one of the less known medicinal plants that belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is also considered to be a poisonous plant because of the presence of lethal toxins, abrin, and agglutinin-I. The common toxic effects of A. precatorius include high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The roots, seeds, and leaves are used in folklore medicine to treat alopecia, oedema, helminths, skin diseases, itching, anti-fertility, and urinary disorders apart from its ornamental usage. The crushed seeds are used for suicidal purpose. Various pharmacological activities, such as anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antioxidant, and anti-rheumatic activities, are reported in different parts of this plant. This chapter demonstrates the botanical aspects, traditional uses, phytoconstituents, toxicology, and pharmacological applications of A. precatorius in detail.
