Title: Belladonna
Additional Names: Deadly nightshade; banewort; death's herb; dwale; poison black cherry
Literature References: Dried leaves and root of Atropa belladonna L., Solanaceae. Habit. Southern and Central Europe, Asia Minor, Algeria; cultivated in North America. On extraction it yields atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, asparagine, choline, chrysatropic acid, atroscine, leucatropic acid, phytosterol. Leaves usually contain 0.3-0.5% total alkaloids; dried root contains 0.4-0.7% total alkaloids. See: Romeike, Pharmazie 8, 729 (1953); Phokas, Steinegger, ibid. 11, 652 (1956); Pharm. Acta Helv. 31, 284 (1956).
CAUTION: Toxicity based on content of atropine, q.v., and related alkaloids.
Therap-Cat: Anticholinergic.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Anticholinergic; antispasmodic. |