A review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L.

doi:10.3736/jintegrmed2013016

Journal of Integrative Medicine

Volume 11, Issue 2, March 2013, Pages 73-79

https://doi.org/10.3736/jintegrmed2013016 Get rights and content

Abstract

Datura stramonium L., a wild-growing plant of the Solanaceae family, is widely distributed and easily accessible. It contains a variety of toxic tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscamine, and scopolamine. In Eastern medicine, especially in Ayurvedic medicine, D. stramonium has been used for curing various human ailments, including ulcers, wounds, inflammation, rheumatism and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma and bronchitis, and toothache. A few previous studies have reported on the pharmacological effects of D. stramonium; however, complete information regarding the pharmacology, toxicity, ethnobotany and phytochemistry remains unclear. Ethnomedicinally, the frequent recreational abuse of D. stramonium has resulted in toxic syndromes. D. stramonium, in the form of paste or solution to relieve the local pain, may not have a deleterious effect; however, oral and systemic administration may lead to severe anticholinergic symptoms. For this reason, it is very important for individuals, mainly young people, to be aware of the toxic nature and potential risks associated with the use of this plant. This comprehensive review of D. stramonium includes information on botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and ethnomedicinal uses.

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ReviewA review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L.

Abstract

Fitoterapia

Eur J Intern Med

J Chromatogr A

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol

Fitoterapia

S Afr J Bot

Pharmacol Res

J Ethnopharmacol

Food Chem Toxicol

Evolutionary ecology of Datura stramonium: genetic variation and costs for tolerance to defoliation

Evolution