Detection of cyanogenic glycosides in ethnomedicinal plants of Euphorbiaceae used by Tribes in Mizoram, India

Abstract

Cyanogenic glycosides are natural plant toxins found in various plants, the majority of which are consumed by humans. Cyanide is formed after cyanogenic glycoside hydrolysis that occurs during the crushing of the edible plant material, either during consumption or during the processing of the plant. In this paper, we tested for cyanogenic glycosides using picrate impregnated filter paper in a number of ethnomedicinally important plants. We evaluate 19 species of euphorbiaceae, out of which 7 are cyanogenic. In Mizoram, people living in the urban region still relies heavily on ethnomedicinal plant, most of the times these plants are eaten boiled, cooked or raw, so it is important that we know the content of these plants. From the research we found several plants to contain cyanogenic glycosides which are eaten as a form of medication for various ailments.