Abstract
Belladonna alkaloids were first discovered centuries ago in variety of plants all over the world. Belladonna alkaloids are poisonous constituents of the Atropa belladonna plant, commonly called deadly nightshade. Datura species, especially Datura stramonium (e.g., jimson weed), extracts can also be toxic because of the presence of up to 28 belladonna alkaloids, predominated by atropine and scopolamine. Members of the Datura species contain abundant amounts of belladonna alkaloids that can produce both local and systemic anticholinergic toxicity. Exposure to Datura species is rarely fatal, but adverse effects are very common. Accessibility of these plants allowed and promoted their use in variety of settings from medicinal to militaristic. Belladonna alkaloids since then have been used together and separately for variety of conditions. Antimuscarinic agent, atropine in combination with pyridinium oximes (pralidoxime, trimedoxime, obidoxime, and HI-6), and diazepam are used for the treatment of organophosphate poisoning in humans. Since these alkaloids have effects on many organs in the body, acute overdose may result in multiorgan dysfunction. Cholinergic medications are used to reverse the effects of the alkaloids.
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