Datura Plant Profile:
Taxonomical classification -
Kingdom : Plantae
Order : Solanales
Family : Solanaceae
Subfamily : Solanoideae
Tribe : Datureae
Genus : DaturaL.
Macroscopic Character
Datura are herbaceous, leafy annuals and short-lived perennials which can reach up to 2 meters in height. The leaves are alternate, 10–20 cm long and 5–18 cm broad, with a lobed or toothed margin. The flowers are erect or spreading (not pendulous like those of the closely allied Brugmansia), trumpet-shaped, 5–20 cm long and 4–12 cm broad at the mouth; colors vary from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. The fruit is a spiny capsule 4–10 cm long and 2–6 cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerous seeds. The seeds disperse freely over pastures, fields and even wasteland locations. Datura belongs to the classic "witches' weeds," along with deadly nightshade, henbane, and mandrake. Most parts of the plants contain toxic hallucinogens, and datura has a long history of use for causing delirious states and death. It was well known as an essential ingredient of love potions and witches' brews. The word datura comes from the Hindidhatūrā ("thorn apple"); record of this name dates back to 1662 (OED). Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to one type in The Scarlet Letter as apple-Peru. In Mexico its common name is toloache.The larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species, including Hypercompe indecisa, eat some datura species.
Species and cultivars
It is difficult to classify a datura as to its species, and it often happens that descriptions of new species are accepted prematurely. Later it is found that these "new species" are simply varieties that have evolved due to conditions at a specific location. They usually disappear in a few years. Contributing to the confusion are the facts that various species such as D. wrightii and D. inoxia are very similar in appearance, and that the variation within a species can be extreme. For example, Datura have the property of being able to change size of plant, size of leaf, and size of flowers, all depending on location. The same species, when growing in a half-shady damp location can developinto a flowering bush half as tall as a person, but when growing in a very dry location will only grow into a thin little plant just higher than the ankles, with tiny flowers and a few miniature leaves.
Today, experts classify only nine species of Datura:
• Datura ceratocaulaJacq. – Torna Loco
• Datura discolorBernh. – Desert Thorn-apple
• Datura feroxL. – Long Spined Thorn-apple
• Datura inoxiaMill. – Thorn-apple, Downy Thorn-apple, Indian-apple, Moonflower, Sacred Datura, Toloatzin, Toloache
• Datura leichhardtiiF.Muell. ex Benth. (syn. D. pruinosa) – Leichhardt's Datura
• Datura metel L. – Devil's trumpet
• Datura quercifoliaKunth – Oak-leaf Thorn-apple
• Datura stramonium L. (syn. D. inermis) – Jimsonweed, Thorn-apple
• Datura wrightii – Sacred Datura, Sacred Thorn-apple.
Toxicity Of Datura:
All Datura plants contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, primarily in their seeds and flowers. Because of the presence of these substances, Datura has been used for centuries in some cultures as a poison and as a hallucinogen. It may be mixed with other psychoactive agents, such as the San Pedro cactus in its traditional use in South America. There can be a 5:1 toxin variation across plants, and a given plant's toxicity depends on its age, where it is growing, and the local weather conditions. This variation makes Datura exceptionally hazardous as a drug. In traditional cultures, a great deal of experience with and detailed knowledge of Datura was critical in order to minimize harm. Many tragic incidents result from modern recreational users ingesting Datura. For example, in the 1990s and 2000s, the United States media contained stories of adolescents and young adults dying or becoming seriously ill from intentionally ingesting Datura. There are also several reports in the medical literature of deaths from Datura stramonium and Datura ferox intoxication. Children are especially vulnerable to atropine poisoning, and their prognosis is likely to be fatal. In some parts of Europe and India, Datura has been a popular poison for suicide and murder. From 1950–1965, the State Chemical Laboratories in Agra, India investigated 2,778 deaths that were caused by ingesting Datura.
Treatment Of Datura:
Due to their agitated behavior and confused mental state, victims of Datura poisoning are typically hospitalized. Gastric lavage (stomach pumping) and the administration of activated charcoal can be used to reduce the stomach's absorption of the ingested material. The drug physostigmine is used to reverse the effect of the poisons. Benzodiazepines can be given to curb the patient's agitation, and supportive care with oxygen, hydration, and symptomatic treatment is often provided. Observation of the patient is indicated until the.
DATURA PLAN OF WORK:
The plan of work is divided in to two parts. The first part included the pharmacognostical study & the second parts includes the pharmacological study.
Pharmacognostical study included the study of following parameters of the plant
1. Identification & collection of the subjected crude drug.
2. Proper processing & storing of the drugs for further studies.
3. Macroscopic study of the plant.
4. T.S of different part of plant.
5. Determination of extractive values.
6. Determination of ash values like total, water soluble and acid insoluble ash values.
7. Determination of moisture content.
8. Extraction of powder drugs by hot process of extraction with different suitable range of solvents.
9. Determination of colour & extractive values.
10. Powdered Microscopic study of plant
11. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the extracts.
12. Development of TLC system using extracts of plant.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK OF DATURA
5.1 PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES
These are the studies, which deals with the morphological, microscopical & phytochemical analysis of the plant material.
Pharmacognostical study of a plant helps for proper identification of the drug & restrict adulteration & provide a basis for proper authentication of the drug. The present work includes the Pharmacognostical study of the drug ‘madhuca longifolia’.
Macroscopical studies:
Macroscopic studies were carried out by using organoleptic evaluationmethod. The shape, size, colour, odour, taste, base, texture, margin and apex of leaves ofMadhuca longifolia Linn were observed.
Macroscopic characters of leaves, stem and seeds:
Leaf: Leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches; young branches, leaves and petiolpurbescent or tomentose. Leaves are coriaceous, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, shortly acuminate,base cuneate. Petiole is short and easily fractured.
Flower: Flowers numerous, near the ends of branches, drooping on pedicels. Calyx coriaceous,densely clothed rusty tomentum. Corollas are yellowish-white, tube fleshy. Stamens 20-30usually 24 or 26, anthers are hispid at the back with stiff hair.
Fruits: Fruits are barriers, ovoid, fleshy and green.
Stem: Stem is cylindrical, decumbent and branched.
Seeds: Seeds are 1-4 and dark brown in colour.
Stem: Stem is cylindrical, decumbent and branched.
Seeds: Seeds are 1-4 and dark brown in colour.