Datura stramonium (Thorn Apple or Devil's Trumpet)

Abstract

Datura stramonium L. is a bushy annual herb belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is known by many common names, but the popular ones are thornapple, moonflower, hell’s bells, devil’s trumpet, and evil seeds. The plant is distributed worldwide, and it is found as a weed in garbage dumps, livestock enclosures, and wastelands. It is accredited with both toxic and medicinal properties. All plant parts are toxic if ingested and smoked, often resulting in delirium, hallucination, photophobia, hyperthermia, neurotoxicity, and severe mydriasis. Toxin concentration varies by parts, age, habitat, and local climate. Traditionally, the plant is used for skin disorders, inflammation, toothache, cough, fever, bronchitis, convulsion, asthma, burn, ulcer, wound, rheumatism, sciatica, and gout. The plant contains several phytochemicals, including tropane alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, and amino acids. Tropane alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine are attributed to plants’ toxicity. Pharmacologically, the plant exhibits antifungal, antiasthmatic, larvicidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatoid, anti-ulcer, and antinociceptive activities. This chapter will describe the traditional global uses of a plant and the current status of its toxicological, pharmacological, and phytochemical profiles.