Seso vegetal

Related Terms

Achee, ackee apple, akee, akee apple, ankye, arilli, Blighia sapida, Cupania sapida, Blighia sapida, hypoglycin A, hypoglycin B, ishin, Sapindaceae (soapberry family), vegetable brain, vegetable brains.

Background

Ackee (Blighia sapida) is the national fruit of Jamaica and grows in clusters on evergreen trees. Hypoglycin A (the causative toxic substance in ackee) is contained in the aril, seeds and husks of ackee fruit, at various stages of ripeness.
The ingestion of unripe ackee for the purpose of medicinal or nutritional purposes can give rise to acute poisoning called "Jamaican vomiting sickness" or toxic hypoglycemic syndrome (THS). Adverse effects include loss of muscle tone, vomiting, convulsions, coma and death. Deaths have occurred after unintentional poisoning with ackee, and most of these deaths have occurred in small children ranging from 2-6 years-old. Only when the fruit ripens and opens naturally on the tree may the fruit be eaten; however, the membrane at the base should be removed.
Various parts of the ackee tree have been used medicinally to expel parasites and to treat dysentery (severe diarrhea), ophthalmic conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) and headache. More research is needed to make a recommendation of the therapeutic benefits of ackee.
Due to its toxicity, the importation of this fruit into the USA is forbidden by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Safety, efficacy, and dosing have not been systematically studied in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Ackee may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Anto F, Aryeetey ME, Anyorigiya T, et al. The relative susceptibilities of juvenile and adult Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus to the molluscicidal activities in the fruit of Ghanaian Blighia sapida, Blighia unijugata and Balanites aegyptiaca. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2005;99(2):211-217.
Barennes H, Valea I, Boudat AM, et al. Early glucose and methylene blue are effective against unripe ackee apple (Blighia sapida) poisoning in mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2004;42(5):809-815.
Blake OA, Bennink MR, Jackson JC. Ackee (Blighia sapida) hypoglycin A toxicity: Dose response assessment in laboratory rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2006;44(2):207-213.
Carod-Artal FJ. [Neurological syndromes linked with the intake of plants and fungi containing a toxic component (I). Neurotoxic syndromes caused by the ingestion of plants, seeds and fruits]. Rev Neurol. 5-1-2003;36(9):860-871.
Eddleston M, Persson H. Acute plant poisoning and antitoxin antibodies. J.Toxicol.Clin.Toxicol. 2003;41(3):309-315.
Escoffery CT, Shirley SE. Fatal poisoning in Jamaica: a coroner's autopsy study from the University Hospital of the West Indies. Med Sci Law 2004;44(2):116-120.
Golden KD, Williams OJ, Bailey-Shaw Y. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of amino acids in ackee fruit with emphasis on the toxic amino acid hypoglycin A. J Chromatogr Sci 2002;40(8):441-446.
Joskow R, Belson M, Vesper H, et al. Ackee fruit poisoning: an outbreak investigation in Haiti 2000-2001, and review of the literature. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44(3):267-273.
Kupfer A, Idle JR. Methylene blue and fatal encephalopathy from ackee fruit poisoning. Lancet 5-8-1999;353(9164):1622-1623.
Lebo DB, Ditto AM, Boxer MB, et al. Anaphylaxis to ackee fruit. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol 1996;98(5 Pt 1):997-998.
Meda HA, Diallo B, Buchet JP, et al. Epidemic of fatal encephalopathy in preschool children in Burkina Faso and consumption of unripe ackee (Blighia sapida) fruit. Lancet 2-13-1999;353(9152):536-540.
Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. Medical problems caused by plants. 2006;24-27.
Quere M, Ogouassangni A, Bokossa A, et al. Methylene blue and fatal encephalopathy from ackee fruit poisoning. Lancet 5-8-1999;353(9164):1623.
Sherratt HS, Turnbull DM. Methylene blue and fatal encephalopathy from ackee fruit poisoning. Lancet 5-8-1999;353(9164):1623-1624.
Ware GM. Method validation study of hypoglycin A determination in ackee fruit. J AOAC Int 2002;85(4):933-937.