Belladonna

General Introduction to Belladonna:

• Belladonna alkaloids are tropane alkaloids recognized for their potent anticholinergic activity.
• They are used in clinical practice for their mydriatic, antispasmodic, and anti-secretory effects.

Synonyms:

• Common Name: Deadly nightshade alkaloids
• Scientific Name: Atropa belladonna alkaloids
• Other Names: Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine alkaloids

Biological Source:

• Plant: Derived from the dried leaves and roots of Atropa belladonna.
• Family: Solanaceae

Composition:

• Major Alkaloids: Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine.

Chemistry & Chemical Classes:

• Chemical Class: Tropane alkaloids
• Structure:
  • Characterized by a bicyclic tropane ring with ester linkages.
  • Atropine is a racemic mixture of d- and l-hyoscyamine.
• Solubility: Lipid-soluble, which facilitates penetration into the central nervous system.

Therapeutic Uses:

1. Atropine:

   • Used as a mydriatic (pupil dilator) in ophthalmology.
   • Treats bradycardia (slow heart rate) and reduces secretions during surgery.

2. Scopolamine:

   • Used to prevent motion sickness and as a sedative.

3. Hyoscyamine:

   • Acts as an antispasmodic for gastrointestinal and urinary conditions.

Commercial Applications of Belladonna:

• Atropine: Found in eye drops for ophthalmic procedures.
• Scopolamine: Formulated as transdermal patches for motion sickness management.
• Additional antispasmodic and anticholinergic drugs are available.

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