atropa belladona/acuminata is the crude drug of famous mydriatic agent "atropine".it also possess anticholinergic effects.following sections about the drug are elaborated here.
- atropa belladona plant morphology
- family tree
- part used as crude drug
- geographic sources of atropa belladona
- cultivation and collection of atropa plant.
- active consituents of atropa plant
- medicinal uses
Plant description and morphology:
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| atropa belladona plant |
- atropa belladona ,famous by common name "deadly night shade" belongs to family solenaceae.
- The part of plant used for drug extraction is its dried leaves and sometimes other aerial parts like flowering tops are also used.
- The plant is perrineal herbaceous plant.its leaves are simple alternate and petiolate.
- atropa flower is funnel shaped or bell-shaped(infundibuliform).having a light purple/greenish purple color.
- atropa belladona fruit is berry like and of shinny/glassy appearance ,initially green which turns black upon maturation.
Geographic source | distribution of atropine plant:
This plant is not very wide spread.it is indigenous to certain European countries like germany, england and certain states of USA.it is also found in certain countries of asia like India however not very common in pakistan.
Cultivation And Collection:
Cultivation is done from seeds.leaves and seeds are collected when the plant is in its full bloom.
The leaves are collected by hand picking, after collection leaves must be dried in shade to prevent from moisture.
Active constituents:
the active constituents are mainly alkaloids particularly tropane alkaloids.following are the actual constituents.
- atropine(hyocyamine).
- hyosine(seopolamine)
- belladonine
- cuscohygrine
Medicinal uses of atropa belladona:
Atropa belladona plant has the following medicinal uses.
- as anti-cholinergic (parasympatholytic).
- as mydriatic in opthalmology.
- as antispasmodic.
- pre anesthetic medication to decrease secretions.
- used as anti-dote in organophosphoric poisoning.
- anti-diarrheal
- anti-parkinson disease.to decrease dopaminergic activity and over cholinergic activity.
- to control enuresis in children.Atropine derivatives are also used as bronchodilators.
