Ricin and Saxitoxin: Two Natural Products That Became Chemical Weapons

• Miguel A. Sierra ^[1] ; Roberto Martínez-Álvarez ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 7, 2020, págs. 1707-1714
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Ricin and saxitoxin are highly toxic natural products that have been weaponized and are included in Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Both toxins are available from natural sources, and they can be used as homemade chemical weapons for terrorist purposes. The availability of ricin is high because the shrub Ricinus communis is widespread worldwide, and access to Ricinus seeds (castor beans are the source of ricin) is easy; its use for illegal purposes has happened several times. Contrary to ricin, saxitoxin is difficult to isolate from natural sources, or to obtain by chemical synthesis, which makes the use of saxitoxin in terrorist actions unlikely. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of both toxins are totally different. Ricin targets the ribosome while saxitoxin targets the Na-channels in the cell membrane. In both cases cell death occurs very efficiently. The potency of both chemicals makes ricin and saxitoxin excellent leads for the development of new drugs for rightful applications, including, among others, treatment of cancer or anesthesia.