See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/274063446

Phytochemistry, pharmacological and traditional uses of Datura stramonium L.

Article · December 2013

CITATIONS READS
8 12,255

1 author:

Aqib Sayyed
Shandong University
30 PUBLICATIONS 288 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Endophytic fungus Aspergillus japonicus mediates host plant growth under normal and heat stress conditions View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Aqib Sayyed on 25 March 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2014; 2 (5): 123-125

ISSN 2278-4136
JPP 2014; 2 (5): 123-125 Phytochemistry, pharmacological and
© 2013 AkiNik Publications
Received: 16-12-2013 traditional uses of Datura stramonium L.
Accepted: 25-12-2013
review
Aqib Sayyed
Department of Botany Abdul Wali Aqib Sayyed, Mohib Shah
Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
Email: aqib.sayyed@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Mohib Shah Datura stramonium or jimson weed is a wild shrub belongs to family Solanaceae. It has both toxics
Department of Botany Abdul Wali and medicinal properties. Traditionally it is used in skin disorder, ear pain, cough, fever and asthma.
Khan University Mardan, Pakistan Juice of fruit is used for body pain. Leaves extract are externally used for injuries, wounds bleeding
Email: mohibshah1@gmail.com and pains. Juice of fruit is applied to scalp for falling hair and as antidandruff. Datura stramonium
contains biologically active substances like alkaloids, atropine, scopolamine, tannin, carbohydrate
and proteins. It is used in many drugs due to its analgesic and antiasthmatic activities.

Keywords: Datura stramonium, Medicinal, Traditional, Solanaceae, antiasthmatic.

1. Introduction
Datura stramonium is commonly known as Jimson weed or Datura belongs to family
Solanaceae. It is 60-120 cm or more tall, branched and pubescent plant. Leaves are 8-17x4-13
cm, ovate, sinuately dentate and minutely puberulose. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, white to
creamy or violet and 6 to 9 cm long [27]. Mostly found in temperate and subtropical region [1].
Humans use different plant for treatment and still are in search of medicinal value plants.
Datura stramonium has both the poisonous and medicinal uses [5].
From the beginning of life humans use plant for different purposes like food and medicine. Still
today a large number of people use different plant for different disease treatments. Datura
stramonium is a most important medicinal plant. Traditionally it has an important medicinal
value throughout the world. Its leaves and seeds are used in different treatment recipes. The
leaves of Datura stramonium are mixed with mustard oil for treatment skin disorder. Juice of
flower petals is used in ear pain. Seeds are used as purgative, in cough, fever and asthma. Seeds
are also used for smoking for its narcotic action [12]. It is often used as an analgesic plant in
folklore medicine in the “Old world” [31]. The drugs obtained from medicinal plants are termed
crude drug of natural or biological origin as described by pharmacist and pharmacologist
[25]
. Datura stramonium contains different type of phytochemical including Saponins, Tannins,
Steroids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenols and Glycosides [23]. Its leaves and branches extracts
show high anti-fungal and anti-microbial activities [10].

2. Phytochemistry
D. stramonium contains Sixty-four tropane alkaloids. Two new tropane alkaloids, 3-
phenylacetoxy-6, 7-epoxynortropane and 7- hydroxyapoatropine were tentatively identified. The
alkaloids scopoline, 3-(hydroxyacetoxy) tropane, 3-hydroxy-6-(2-methylbutyryloxy) tropane,
3a-tigloyloxy-6-hydroxytropane, 3,7- dihydroxy-6-tigloyloxytropane, 3-tigloyloxy-6-
propionyloxytropane, 3-phenylacetoxy-6,7- epoxytropane, 3-phenylacetoxy-6-hydroxytropane,
aponorscopolamine, 3a,6a-ditigloyloxytropane and 7-hydroxyhyoscyamine are reported for the
first time for this species [3]. The main components of essential oil were sterols and their
derivatives, and the major constituents of Datura stramonium essential oil are sterols and there
Correspondence
derivatives and 5.alpha.-Ergosta-7,22- dien-3.beta.-ol (16.53%), 3-Hydroxycholestan-5-yl,
Aqib Sayyed
Department of Botany Abdul Wali acetate (14.97%), and 26,26-Dimethyl-5, 24(28)-ergostadien-3.beta.-ol (10.39%) [29]. Protein
Khan University Mardan, Pakistan and ash are highly distributed in the seed coat than the seed. In contrast the fat, carbohydrate
Email: aqib.sayyed@yahoo.com and fiber contents of the seed were higher than the seed coat.
~ 123 ~
 Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

The seeds also contained higher concentration of phytate, tannin added 86 gm atosh (root of an unidentified plant) and an equal
and oxalate than the seed coat. In seed coat calcium, iron, amount of darmuz (arsenic), mudra shankar (unidentified
potassium, sodium and phosphorus were higher than the seeds [17]. chemical, possibly a chromium salt) and camphor. One powdered
Extract with water and ethanol contain saponins, steroids, seed of Datura stramonium is added to the mixture along with
alkaloids, and glycosides [23]. Saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, 400 gm of oil from seeds of Brassica campestris. The whole
glycosides and phenol are common among crude aqueous and amount is boiled thoroughly, slightly cooled and applied to places
ethanol extract of the plant [2-21]. Leaves extract contain different where there is rheumatic pain. This is done 2-3 times daily till
types of secondary metabolites such as glycosides, phenol, cure of the pain [4].
lignins, saponins, sterols and tannins [15]. The primary biologically
active substances in D. stramonium are the alkaloids atropine and 5. Conclusion
scopolamine [11]. Studies indicated that Datura stramonium is a wild plant having
various medicinal and pharmacological properties. Phytochemical
3. Pharmacological uses of the plant are alkaloids, atropine, scopolamine, tannin, saponine,
Datura stramonium is widely growing plant and well known to glycosides, phenol, sterols, lignins, fats, carbohydrates and
have great pharmacological potential with a great utility and proteins. Extract with water and ethanol contains saponine,
usage in folklore medicine folklore medicinal herbs. It contains steroids, alkaloids and glycosides. Alkaloids, tannins,
alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins and use in medicine carbohydrates and proteins are used in medicines due to its
due to its analgesic and antiasthmatic activities [26]. Leaves are analgesic and antiasthmatic activities. Atropine used in treatment
used in asthma treatment [22-18]. The primary biologically active of Parkinson’s disease, peptic ulcers, diarrhea and bronchial
substances in Datura stramonium are the alkaloids atropine and asthma. Water extract of D. stramonium show insecticidal while
scopolamine. Atropine has been used in treating Parkinson’s ethanol extract show good anti-microbial activities. Traditionally
disease, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, and bronchial asthma [11]. Its leaves past and extracts are externally used for injuries, wounds,
leaves mucilage and Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone combination can be bleeding and pain. Juice of flower petals is used in ear pain
used as a matrix forming material for making sustained release and seeds are used as purgative, in cough, fever and asthma.
matrix tablets [1]. Datura stramonium is a natural source of
antioxidants and phytochemical having antimicrobial activities [2]. 6. Acknowledgement
Its extracts show significant antimicrobial activity against The authors are thankful to the Department of Botany, Abdul
Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas Wali Khan University Mardan for providing full support and
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium encouragement during course of study.
species [21]. The secondary metabolites of Datura stramonium are
highly effective against different types of diseases such as ant- 7. References
diabetic, antiviral, etc. [15]. Water extract of show insecticidal 1. Ahad HA, Babu UA, Nagesh K, Kiran DS, Madhavi KB.
activities [14]. Datura stramonium is used in Eastern medicine, Fabrication of glimepiride Datura stramonium leaves
especially in Ayurvedic medicine for curing various human mucilage and poly vinyl pyrrolidone sustained release
ailments, including ulcers, wounds, inflammation, rheumatism matrix tablets: in vitro evaluation. Kathmandu university
and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma, bronchitis journal of science, engineering and technology 2012;
and toothache [8]. The ethanolic extracts show good antimicrobial 8(1):63-72.
activities than aqueous extracts. Extracts of leaves show better 2. Akharaiyi FC. Antibacterial, Phytochemical and
efficacy then stem and root [7]. Antioxidant activities of Datura metel. International
Journal of Pharm Tech Research 2011; 3(1):478-483.
4. Traditional use of Datura stramonium 3. Berkov S, Zayed R, Doncheva T. Alkaloid patterns in
When the leaves of Datura stramonium mixed with mustard oil some varieties of Datura stramonium. Fitoterapia 2006;
then it is useful in skin disorders. Juice of flower petals is used 77(3):179-182.
in ear pain and seeds are used as purgative, in cough, fever 4. Biswas KR, Khan T, Monalisa MN, Swarna A, Ishika T,
and asthma. Seeds are smoked due to its narcotic action [12]. Leaf Rahman M et al. Medicinal Plants Used by Folk
paste and extract is externally used for injuries, wounds, Medicinal Practitioners of Four Adjoining Villages of
bleedings and pains. Seeds in small quantity used for asthma and Narail and Jessore Districts, Bangladesh. American-
tonsil problems. The extract of leaves is also used for baldness Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2011;
[13]
. leaves used externally for management of pains [16]. Datura 5(1):23-33.
stramonium plant frequently used as antiparasitics and repellents 5. Devi MR, Bawari M, Paul SB, Sharma GD. Neurotoxic
[9]
. Fruit oil is used for body pain [28]. Leaf or whole plant is Anti- and Medicinal Properties of Datura stramonium L. –
inflammatory and antispasmodic [6]. Green leaves are applied for Review. Assam University Journal of Science &
the softening of the boils. Juice of the fruit is applied to scalp for Technology 2011; 7(1):139-144.
falling hairs and as antidandruff. Juice of the flower is used in 6. Dwivedi S, Dwivedi A, Dwivedi SN. Folk Lore Uses of
earache. One drop is poured in the ear at night [24]. Paste of leaves Some Plants by the Tribes of Madhya Pradesh with
is topically applied for skin diseases [20]. Dried leaves and seeds Special Reference to Their Conservation. Ethnobotanical
are used as Anticholinergic and sedative [30]. Seeds are used to Leaflets 2008; 12:763-71.
make somebody unconscious [19]. Traditionally it is used for cure 7. Gachande BD, Khillare EM. In-vitro evaluation of
of Rheumatism. 75 gm rhizomes of ginger (Zingiber officinale), Datura species for potential antimicrobial activity.
100 gm of garlic (Allium sativum) and 85 gm of onions (Allium Bioscience Discovery 2013; 4(1):78-81.
cepa) are macerated together to extract the juice. To the juice is 8. Gaire BP, Subedi L. A review on the pharmacological

~ 124 ~
Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L. 2(1):016-019.

Journal of Integrative Medicine 2013; 11(2): 73-9. 24. Shah GM, Khan MA. Common Medicinal Folk Recipes
9. Guarrera PM. Traditional antihelmintic, antiparasitic and of Siran Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan. Ethnobotanical
repellent uses of plants in Central Italy. Journal of Leaflets 2006; 10:49-62.
Ethnopharmacology 1999; 68(1-3):183-192. 25. Sofawora A. Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine
10. Gul H, Qaisrani RN, Khan MA, Hassan S, Younis N. in African. John Wiley and sons Ltd, New York, 1982,
Antibacterial and antifungal activity of different extracts 6, 14, 55, 142-177, 191, 234-251.
of Datura stramonium (branches and leaves sample). 26. Soni P, Siddiqui AA, Dwivedi J, Soni V.
Journal of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research Pharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as
2012; 3(9):141-148. a potential medicinal tree: An overview. Asian Pac J
11. Ivancheva S, Nikolova M, Tsvetkova R. Trop Biomed 2012; 2(12):1002-1008.
Pharmacological activities and biologically active 27. Stace C. New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge
compounds of Bulgarian medicinal plants. University Press, 1997, 532.
Phytochemistry: Advances in Research 2006; 87-103. 28. Vijendra N, Kumar KP. Traditional knowledge on ethno-
12. Khan J, Khan R, Qureshi RA. Ethnobotanical Study of medicinal uses prevailing in tribal pockets of
Commonly Used Weeds of District Bannu, Khyber Chhindwara and Betul Districts, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan). Journal of Medicinal Plants African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2010;
Studies 2013; 1(2):1-6. 4(9):662-670.
13. Khan SW, Khatoon S. Ethnobotanical studies on some 29. Wang S, You L. Allelopathic Potential in Different
useful herbs of Haramosh and Bugrote valleys in Gilgit, Polarity Phases of Datura stramonium L. Advance in
Northern areas of Pakistan. Pak J Bot 2008; 40(1):43-58. biomedical engineering 2012; 6.
14. Mwine J, Damme PV, Kamoga G, Kudamba, Nasuuna 30. Wazir SM, Dasti AA, Shah J. Common medicinal plants
M, Jumba F. Ethnobotanical survey of pesticidal plants of Chapursan valley, Gojal II, Gilgit, Pakistan. Journal
used in South Uganda: Case study of Masaka district. of Research (Science) 2004; 15(1):41-43.
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 2011; 5(7):1155- 31. Zargari A. Medicinal Plants. Edn 1, Tehran University
1163. Press, 1989, 637-639.
15. Nain J, Bhatt S, Dhyani S, Joshi N. Phytochemical
screening of secondary metabolites of Datura
stramonium. International Journal of Current
Pharmaceutical Research 2013; 5(2):151-153.
16. Njoroge GN. Traditional Medicinal Plants in Two Urban
Areas in Kenya (Thika and Nairobi): Diversity of traded
species and conservation concerns. Ethnobotany
Research & Applications 2012; 9:329-338.
17. Oseni OA, Olarinoye CO, Amoo IA. Studies on
chemical compositions and functional properties of thorn
apple (Datura stramonium L) Solanaceae. African
Journal of Food Science 2011; 5(2):40-44.
18. Pretorius E, Marx J. Datura stramonium in asthma
treatment and possible effects on prenatal development.
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2006; 21(3):331-7.
19. Rahmatullah M, Das AK, Mollik AH, Jahan R, Khan M,
Rahman T et al. An Ethnomedicinal survey of Dhamrai
sub-district in Dhaka district, Bangladesh. American-
Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2009;
3(4):881-888.
20. Rahmatullah M, Islam R, Kabir Z, Rashid H, Jahan R,
Begum R et al. Folk Medicinal Practices in Vasu Bihar
Village, Bogra District, Bangladesh. American-Eurasian
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2010; 4(1):86-93.
21. Reddy BU. Antimicrobial activity of Datura stramonium
L. and Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merr.
Pharmacologyonline 2009; 1:1293-1300.
22. Savithramma N, Sulochana C, Rao KN. Ethnobotanical
survey of plants used to treat asthma in Andhra Pradesh,
India J Ethnopharmacol 2007; 113(1):54-61.
23. Shagal MH, Modibbo UU, Liman AB. Pharmacological
justification for the ethnomedical use of Datura
Stramonium stem-bark extract in treatment of diseases
caused by some pathogenic bacteria. International
Research of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2012;

~ 125 ~

View publication stats