Atropa belladonna L. (Solanaceae)

Abstract

The plant is indigenous to south and central Europe and naturalized in southern England. It is cultivated in central Europe, England, the United States, and northern India. It was known to the ancients only as a noxious herb, and its medicinal use is relatively recent. Indian and Chinese physicians also appear to be not aware of this plant. However, Italian ladies utilized its pupil dilating property in the 16th century. All animals are not equally affected by this plant; rabbits can feed upon this plant with impunity, and their pupils may be dilated by application of their own urine. Birds feed on its fruits without any effect on their eyes, and snails and slugs feed upon its leaves. It is, however, regarded as a poisonous plant for humans. By Unani physicians of India, its leaves are used externally as analgesic and anesthetic; internally, it dries up secretions, acts as antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory, and used in the treatment of asthma, pleurisy, stomach and intestinal ulcers, arthritis, gout and all pains of nerve origin. It is also used to decrease perspiration, and to reduce milk production (lactifuge). All parts of the plant contain alkaloids, chiefly l-hyoscyamine plus a little atropine and hyoscine; also, certain volatile bases, pyridine and N-methylpyrroline. Succinic acid, asparagin and β-methylaesculetin (scopoletin) are found in the leaves. In 1831, pure alkaloid, atropine was isolated from the plant. Alkaloid contents are highest in fresh ripe fruit, fresh seeds and fresh leaves. A. belladonna tincture produces greater anticholinergic effects than that suggested by its alkaloid content, indicating the presence in leaves of unknown compounds with a significant biological activity. Pretreatment with water extract shortens the process of inflammation and accelerates collagen formation, and improves early phases of skin wound healing in rats. In an RCT, a single belladonna combination with opium rectal suppository preoperatively in patients undergoing Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy significantly improved postoperative pain from bladder spasms during the first two hours and significantly reduced 24-h morphine use. However, retrospective analysis of similar use in another hospital did not find any benefit.