Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species—A Review

Abstract

Datura, a genus of medicinal herb from the Solanaceae family, is credited with toxic as well as medicinal properties. The different plant parts of Datura sp., mainly D. stramonium L., commonly known as Datura or Jimson Weed, exhibit potent analgesic, antiviral, anti-diarrheal, and anti-inflammatory activities, owing to the wide range of bioactive constituents. With these pharmacological activities, D. stramonium is potentially used to treat numerous human diseases, including ulcers, inflammation, wounds, rheumatism, gout, bruises and swellings, sciatica, fever, toothache, asthma, and bronchitis. The primary phytochemicals investigation on plant extract of Datura showed alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, amino acids, and phenolic compounds. It also contains toxic tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscamine. Although some studies on D. stramonium have reported potential pharmacological effects, information about the toxicity remains almost uncertain. Moreover, the frequent abuse of D. stramonium for recreational purposes has led to toxic syndromes. Therefore, it becomes necessary to be aware of the toxic aspects and the potential risks accompanying its use. The present review aims to summarize the phytochemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the plant Datura.

Ethnobotanical survey of the adverse and toxic effects of medicinal plants used in Guinean traditional medicine

“…▪ The presence of a cyanogenetic glucoside derivative in the poisonous fruit of Detarium senegalense strongly suggests its ingestion is responsible for poisonings, a hypothesis borne out by the similarity of the symptoms observed in D. senegalense intoxication to those occurring with cyanide intoxication [17] . ▪ Toxicity has been reported from all parts of Datura sp due to the presence of toxic anticholinergic tropane alkaloids, which cause neuronal toxicity [18] . Signs of anticholinergic toxic effects include acute confusion, fever, tachycardia, dilated pupils, dry mouth, urinary retention, hallucinations, headache, delirium, rapid and weak pulse, convulsions, coma and death [19,20] .…”

Anti-bacterial, Anti-oxidant and other Phytochemical Properties of Datura innoxia leaves

“…In a similar study, the presence of atropine, scopolamine, essential oils, saponins, flavonoids, phenols as well as glycosides were identified and noted the absence of tannins, coumarins and carboxylic acid (43). It was denoted the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, amino acids and phenolic compounds (44).…”

“…Therapeutically it is a rarely explored plant and even recommended as a species to be eliminated in certain parts of the world such as South Africa, the Pacific region and the Isabella Islands (5)(6)(7). Despite its bad reputation as a harmful plant due to its aggressive growth habit and poisonous components (8,9). it can be decontaminated to produce medically beneficial compounds (9)(10)(11).…”

Datura Stramonium leaves extract Silver Nanoparticles regulates PINK1 gene in Parkinson’s disease model of Drosophila melanogaster

“…The present work focuses on the green synthesis of AgNPs nanoparticles from the plant Datura stramonium, commonly known as "Kaladhatur" or "thorn apple", which belongs to the family: Solanaceae, order :Solanales, Kingdom: planta is an indigenous endangered medical pant seen in the southern part of India, tropical regions of centurial and South America, and warm regions of central Europe, Africa [13], the leaf of the Datura stramonium leaves or entire plant is used in the treatment of various human aliments including ulcers, wounds, in ammation, rheumatism and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma, bronchitis and toothache [14]. The plant extract is rich in terpenoids, avonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, tropanes, and alkaloids, glycoside, steroids [15]. The crude extract of the plant has a varying degree of anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-in ammatory, antirheumatoid, anti-ulcer, and anti-asthmatic properties [16][17][18].…”