Lexic.us

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Abrin

1. a poisonous protein [n -S]

Medical Definition of Abrin

1. A highly poisonous protein found in the seeds of Abrus precatorius, the rosary pea. Abrin is toxic because it inhibits protein synthesis, causing symptoms such as internal bleeding, intestinal upset and the irritation of mucous membranes. It was formerly used to treat some chronic eye disorders and it is currently being researched as a potential chemotherapy drug. (06 May 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Abrin

Literary usage of Abrin

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Laboratory Manual for the Detection of Poisons and Powerful Drugs by Wilhelm Autenrieth (1921)
"A trace of one of these agglutinines, added to defibrinated blood in a test-tube, causes clumping into a mass resembling sealing-wax. abrin, ricin and ..."

2. The Journal of Experimental Medicine by Rockefeller University, Rockefeller Institute, Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1897)
"THE HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES PRODUCED BY RICIN AND abrin INTOXICATIONS. ... Abrus precatorius, ricin and abrin have been » Oertel, Die Pathogenese der ..."

3. A Manual of general pathology for students by Sidney Martin (1903)
"Ricin and abrin, and Snake-Venom.—It is important to compare these results with the experiments which have been performed with the allied vegetable poisons, ..."

4. The Practitioner by Gale Group, ProQuest Information and Learning Company (1902)
"He finds that the dose of abrin necessary to kill a mouse is 0.0000005 gram ... The application of abrin to the conjunctiva produces the same reaction as an ..."

5. The Toxins and Venoms, and Their Antibodies by Marius Emmanuel Pozzi-Escot (1906)
"... of emanations exhaled by them, or by reason of their alkaloids, or because of some toxins contained in them. We shall commence with these. abrin. ..."

6. A Textbook of pharmacology and therapeutics, or, the Action of drugs in by Arthur Robertson Cushny (1918)
"Another vegetable toxin which resembles ricin very closely in its effects is abrin, which is obtained from the seeds of Abrus ..."

7. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1893)
"table alkaloids, ricin and abrin. The immunity was produced in each case by the addition of very small quantities of the poison to the food of mice, ..."

Other Resources: