Datura is a poisonous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. All parts of the plant, including fruits, flowers, and seeds, contain toxic belladonna alkaloids like scopolamine and hyoscyamine. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause anticholinergic syndrome within 30-60 minutes, with symptoms like dry mouth, dilated pupils, confusion, and delirium that may last up to 48 hours. Poisoning is often fatal and can be diagnosed through detection of alkaloids in plasma and urine. Treatment focuses on gastric lavage, administration of physostigmine as an antidote, and supportive care of symptoms.

2.  Dhatura , a member of the solanaceae family and belongs to the
genus Datura , which consists of 9 species such as Datura ferox ,
Datura alba , Datura fastuosa etc.
 Common names : Thoran apple , Jimson weed , hell’s bell and
devil’s trumpet.
Toxic part:
•all parts of these plant are poisonous - fruits , flowers
, seeds .
•The seeds resemble chill seeds , poison occurs only if
seeds are masticated and swallowed .
•ROUTES OF INTAKE : seeds are ingested or plant parts
in tea , and smoking dry leaves are common.

4.  The plants contains belladonna alkaloids whose primary
actions are anticholinergic ,
 1. scopolamine;
 2. hyoscyamine,
 3. Atropine.

5.  Atropine and hyoscine blocks the acetylcholine receptor and
produces sympathomimetic or parasympatholytic actions.
 CNS stimulation in early phase , but later CNS depression
occurs, especially of the respiratory center.
 Vagolytic action resulting in stimulation of the heart.

6.  Anticholinergic syndrome;
 Symptoms are seen 30 – 60 minutes after ingestion and may continue for
24 – 48 hours.
 1. Dryness of mouth
 2. Dysphagia
 3.Dysarthria
 4.Dilatation of cutaneous blood vessels
 5.Diplopia ( dilated pupil)
 6.Dry hot skin
 7.Distension of urinary bladder
 8.Drunken gait
 9. Delirium
 10.Diminished bowel sounds
 11.Drowsiness.

7.  Seeds : 75 – 125
 Hyoscine : 15 – 30 mg
 Fatal period : 24 hours
 Diagnosis : atropine can be detected by radioimmunoassay ,
GS-MS, thin layer chromatography and liquid
chromatography. Scopolamine can be analyzed in plasma and
urine by radio-receptor assay and GC-MS.

8.  1.Emetics
 2. Gastric lavage with tannic acid, kmno4 or activated
charcoal.
 3.Physostigmine 0.5-1mg slow IV over 5 min with ecg
monitoring.
 4.Purgatives and colonic lavage is recommended
 5.Tepid sponge baths to control high temperature , diazepam
IV for sedation and seizures.
 6.O2 inhalation and artificial respiration.
 7.Hemodialysis
 8.Catheterization in case of urinary retention .

9.  External: signs of asphyxia
 Internal : seeds may be detected in the stomach and small
intestine
 Stomach : mucosa may show inflammation.
 Lungs : Edematous and congested.
 Heart : petechial hemorrhages in endocardium.

11.  In india , dhatura is employed mainly as a stupefying poison
before robbery, rail road poison.
 Occasionally , it is used for suicidal purpose and for criminal
abortion.
 Accidental poisoning is common in children .
 Unintentional overdose from therapeutic use may occur.
 Homicide is rare.