Importance and chemical composition

Importance and chemical composition

    • Belladonna (Atropa belladonna Linn.) belongs to the family Solanaceae.

    • It comprises of four species, the commercial drug is obtained from the leaves, flowering tops and roots of A. belladonna Linn., commonly called as ‘Deadly Night Shade’ and A. acuminata Royle, often referred as’ Indian Belladonna’.

    • The commercial drug is obtained from the leaves, flowering tops and roots of A. belladonna.

    • Leaves and roots of belladonna contain tropane alkaloids whose concentration varies from 0.13 to 0.70 per cent (average 0.45%).

    • Belladonna leaves are widely used for the manufacture of tinctures and plasters.

    • The drug serves as an anodyne, sedative, stimulant, anti-diuretic, anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory.

    • It is also used in the treatment of renal and bilary colic, stomach disorders and to stop sweating.

    • The roots are primarily used in the external treatment of gout, rheumatism and other affiliations.

Last modified: Tuesday, 3 April 2012, 7:27 AM