belladonna pharmacognosy.pptx 5th semester B. Pharma

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), commonly known as deadly nightshade, is a historically significant plant used in traditional medicine for centuries. It belongs to the Solanaceae family and has potent pharmacological activities due to its rich alkaloid content, notably atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. This review delves into the pharmacognostic properties of belladonna, highlighting its morphology, phytochemistry, cultivation, pharmacological activities, traditional uses, and toxicological aspects. Despite its medicinal value, the plant poses significant toxicity risks, making it a subject of both therapeutic interest and caution.
Introduction
Belladonna, derived from the Latin "bella donna" meaning "beautiful lady," refers to its historical use by women to dilate their pupils, an aesthetic practice in ancient Italy. The plant's dark historical association with poisons and witchcraft stands alongside its relevance in traditional and modern pharmacology. Pharmacognosy, the study of medicines derived from natural sources, provides insight into the holistic understanding of belladonna, encompassing botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.
Botanical Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Atropa
Species: Atropa belladonna
Atropa belladonna is one of the most recognized species of the Solanaceae family. It shares its family with other significant medicinal and toxic plants, such as Datura and Hyoscyamus.
Morphological Characteristics
Root: Belladonna has a thick, fleshy rootstock, often branched, giving rise to a perennial, herbaceous plant. Its roots are cylindrical and whitish-brown externally. They are rich in alkaloid content.

Stem: The stem is erect, cylindrical, and robust, reaching up to 1.5 to 2 meters. It is green or purplish and glabrous (smooth), sometimes bearing a slight hairy texture in young plants.

Leaves: Belladonna bears large, ovate, alternate leaves, typically 8–18 cm in length. They are dark green on the upper surface and lighter below. The leaves play a critical role in the synthesis of tropane alkaloids.

Flowers: The plant produces bell-shaped, solitary, purple or dark-hued flowers, typically 2–3 cm in length. They grow from the leaf axils and bloom during late spring to summer.

Fruit: The fruit is a glossy black berry, about the size of a cherry. It contains several seeds and is highly toxic. The fruit, though attractive, poses a significant poisoning risk, particularly to children.Seeds: Belladonna seeds are brown, kidney-shaped, and relatively small, about 2–3 mm in length.

Geographical Distribution and Cultivation
Belladonna is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia but has naturalized in various parts of the world, including North America. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils, preferring shaded environments in forests or along riverbanks.

1. PRESENTED By CHANCHALA KUMARI Assistant professor BELLADONNA

2. BELLADONNA The name "nightshade" may come from the plant's preference for growing in shady places or flowering at night. The word "belladonna" comes from the Italian phrase "beautiful lady ". Atropa belladonna has a long history of use as a medicine, cosmetic, and poison T he plant was named Atropa belladonna by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) when he devised his classification system. SYNONYMS- Deadly night shade, Belladonna leaf , poison black cherry BIOLOGICAL SOURCE- Belladonna consists of dried leaves and flowering tops of Atropa belladonna Linn. ,belonging to family Solanaceae . It contains about 0.35% of total alkaloid calculated as hyoscyamine

3. The tropane alkaloids of  A. belladonna  were used as poisons, and early humans made  poisonous arrows  from the plant. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS-  The main alkaloid is (S)- hyoscyamine , which can make up to 87.6% of the leaves and 68.7% of the roots. Other alkaloids include atropine, scopolamine, apoatropine , tropine , aposcopolamine , 3-α-phenyl- acetoxytropane , and tropinone . The highest concentration of alkaloids is found in the mature fruits and green leaves. Atropine is the main alkaloid in mature fruits, making up 98% of the fruit. 

4. USES: The drug is used in the treatment of Peptic ulcer, functional digestive disorders, including spasmatic ,mucous and ulcerative colitis, diarrhoea , pancreatitis. Belladonna is anticholinergic , narcotic ,sedative, diuretic, mydriatic and used as anodyne and to check secretion. Belladonna acts as a parasympathetic depressant. (Anodyne-temporarily increase circulation and reduce pain, stiffness and muscle spasm .)