Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3840

Review

Rediscovering the medicinal properties of Datura sp.: A review

Neeraj O. Maheshwari, Ayesha Khan* and Balu A. Chopade
Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 10 February 2012
  •  Published: 17 October 2013

Abstract

Datura is known as a medicinal plant and plant hallucinogen all over the world. Datura has a very special place in Ayurveda since all parts of the plant namely leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, have been used for a wide range of medication such as treatment of leprosy, rabies, insanity, etc. The extract of Datura, however, is a potent poison and its indiscriminate use may lead to delirium and acute poisoning that may lead to death. The active constituents in Datura include scopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine, withanolides (lactones) and other tropanes. Recently, withanolide compounds have shown significant antitumor, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, sedative, cytostatic and immunosuppressive activity. The present review includes phytochemical investigations and biological activities of various Datura species wherein several novel compounds have been isolated, characterized and screened for their biological activities.

 

Key words: Datura, chemical constituents, alkaloids, biological activities, therapeutic usage.