BELLADONNA (Atropa acuminata)
BELLADONNA
Synonym: Deadly Nightshade leaf
Biological source: It consists of dried leaves and other aerial parts of Atropa acuminata or mixture of both species. It belongs the family Solanaceae.
The plants are collected when the parts are in flowering condition. It contains not less than 0.3% of the alkaloid L-hyosciamine.
Geographical source: It is indigenous to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia and cultivated in England and other European countries.
Macroscopic characteristics:
-Color: Green to brownish green
-Odor: Slight and characteristic
-Taste: Bitter
-Size: 5-25 cm long and 2.5-12 cm wide
-Shape: Ovate, broadly ovate with acuminate apex, petiolate, brittle, entire margin.
Microscopic characteristics:
-Cuticle is striated
-Anisocytic stomata
-Presence of multi-cellular covering trichomes are less in number
-Glandular trichomes are found with unicellular heads
-Palisade ratio is 5-7.
Chemical constituents: L-hyosciamine and atropine are the major constituents. It also contains bellodonine, hyoscine, pridine etc.
Uses:
-It is used to reduce the secretions such as sweat, saliva and gastric juice.
-It is used as an antidote in opium, organophosphate and chloral hydrate poisoning.
-It is used as antispasmodic.
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