Abstract
Datura stramonium is a well-known cosmopolitan weed known by several common names: thorn apple (due
to the appearance of its fruits), Angelʼs trumpet (linked to its flowers), loco seed
(referring to the hallucinogenic properties of its seeds), jimson weed (originating
from the first recorded poisoning involving this plant), and apple of Peru (indicating
the plantʼs origin). All parts of the plant contain the tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine,
scopolamine, and atropine together with several minor alkaloids, which cause poisoning
such as typical anticholinergic syndrome with neuropsychiatric effects. A review of
114 papers from various databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar)
revealed that poisoning incidents involving this plant have been relatively common
from 2001 to 2024. The analysis indicated that all cases of poisoning from D. stramonium can be categorized into two main groups: accidental and misuse. Accidental poisonings
are primarily
linked to the contamination of other crops in the field, leading to mass poisoning
of humans and animals. They can also result from misidentifying the plant as another
edible species, childrenʼs curiosity, and self-medication. On the other hand, misuse
is typically associated with recreational drug use, suicide attempts, criminal activities,
and magico-religious practices. To prevent poisoning from this plant, it is essential
to eliminate the weed from fields, yards, gardens, and other disturbed areas. Additionally,
it is important to educate the general public about the plantʼs appearance and the
dangers associated with its consumption, particularly in the context of self-medication
and recreational drug use.
Keywords
accidental poisoning -
Datura stramonium
- misuse - Solanaceae - tropane alkaloids
