The scientific name of the tree datura is Datura arborea.

Scientific names Common names

Brugmansia arborea (L.) Lagerh. Trompeta (Tag.)

Brugmansia arborea (L.) Steud. Angel's trumpet (Engl.)
Brugmansia comigera (Hook.) Lagerh. Devil's breath (Engl.)
Brugmansia knightii Merkus-Doomik Peruvian trumpeta (Engl.)
Datura arborea L. Tree datura (Engl.)
Datura comigera Hook.
Datura knightii (auct.) Voss
Datura speciosa Salisb.
Datura formosissima Milano
Datura arborea L. is a synonym of Brugmansia arborea (L.) Steud.
Brugmansia arborea (L.) Steud. is an accepted name

Other vernacular names

CHINESE: Mu ben man tuo luo.
MARATHI: Tutari.
SPANISH: Floripondio, Reina de la noche, Borrachero, Mataperro, Cojones del
diablo.
Botany
Tree datura is a small tree or large shrub growing to a height of 3
meters or more. Leaves are simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, 13 to
18 centimeters long, 6 to 8 centimeters wide, with pointed tips,
unequal, obtuse or rounded bases, with entire or hairy margins.
Flowers are large and showy, about 20 centimeters long, creamy
white, pendulous, and musk-like in odor. Calyx is tubular, entire
and spathelike. Corolla tube is cylindrical with very big lobes.
Distribution
- Cultivated as an ornamental plant.
- Occasional in the lowlands.
- Native of Peru and Chile.
Constituents
- Leaves and seeds yield alkaloids with narcotic properties.
- Chief alkaloids found in datura are atropine, hyoscyamine,
hyoscine (scopolamine) and meteloidine.
- Flowers, leaves, stems and roots contain scopolamine and some
hyoscyamine.
- The roots have some atropine and a little hyoscyamine.
- Seeds contain scopolamine and hyoscyamine and a little
scopolamine.
- The stem has much hyocyamine and a little scopolamine.
- The leaves contain scopolamine, 0.44% , and an alkaloid,
floripondine.
- Flowers have yielded fats, resin acid, tannic acid, glucose, alkaloid,
gummy principles, cellulose.
Properties
- Leaves and seeds yield alkaloids with narcotic properties.
- Studies have suggested spasmolytic, anti-amoebic, antifungal,
aphrodisiac, antioxidant properties.
Parts used and preparation
Leaves.
Uses
Folkloric traditional medicine benefits and uses
- In Peru, Chile, and other parts of South America, a poultice of
leaves is applied externally to accelerate the suppuration of boils
and to relieve pain.
- Plant used for belladonna if given in double or treble dosing.
- In Ayurveda, used for arthritis, ulcers, back pain, skin diseases,
sciatica, dandruff.
- Used for rheumatism, worms, colds, fever, erisypelas, cramps,
asthma, hemorrhoids.
- In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the stems and branches, cut
longitudinally are applied to the head or painful body part,
bandaged to the area for 15 minutes. (see study)
- In Peru, leaves are used to treat tumors and alleviate fevers.
- Flower tincture used in homeopathy.
Other uses
- In the Ecuadorian Amazon, used as hallucinogenic; used by
shamans for bewitching and curing. Brugmansia overdose may
result in delirium that lasts for days. Side effects have been known
to last for weeks after consumption
- Crushed seeds are added to chicha, a psychoactive maize beer. In
Peru, leaves are added to cimora, a psychoactive beverage that often
contains the San Pedro cactus used in shamanic ritual.
- Dried leaves may be smoked alone or mixed with tobacco or
Cannabis indica. (see study)
Concerns/ Toxicity
- All plant parts are potentially poisonous, especially the seeds and
leaves.
- Plant has been used as hallucinogen and intoxicant from the
hyocyamine content.
- The chief alkaloids found in datura are atropine, hyoscyamine,
hyoscine (scopolamine) and meteloidine. Poisoning can occur with
overdose of any of the alkaloids. As little as 4 grams of leaf can be
fatal to a child; alas, as the child's curiosity is drawn to the plants
large flowers and spiny seed capsules.
- Appearance of alkaloid toxicity can be within minutes to hours,
depending on concentration, method of ingestion and dosing,
manifesting as: extreme thirst, pupil dilatation, vision impairment
and hallucinations. High temperature, flushed skin and palpitations
may be observed. In non-fatal cases, signs and symptoms subside in
12 to 48 hours, although visual impairment and lethargy may
persist for some time.
Scientific studies on benefits and uses of the tree datura
Spasmolytic Alkaloids:
Results showed dose-dependent reduction of electrical contractions
of guinea-pig ileum and reduction of the electrical and the Ach-
induced contractions of the ileum. Three active substances
identified were tropane alkaloids atropine, scopolamine and nor-
hyoscine.
Ferredoxin / Amino Acid Sequence:
The D. arborea ferredoxin exhibited three or four differences in the
amino acid sequence when compared with D stramonium and D
metel. The result supports the idea propounded by Bernhardi and
Safford that 'Tree Datura" such as D arborea should be a section of
the genus Datura and not a separate genus.
Antiamoebic:
Crude extract of leaves showed moderate antiamoebic activity at
MIC of 125 ug/ml. The activity was not due to its alkaloid contents
because atropine and scopolamine were inactive in vitro against E
histolytica.
Anti-Dermal Pathogenic Fungi Activity:
Study of antibiotic activities of metabolite of entophytic fungi strain
isolated from D. arborea isolated four compounds. One compound,
a 5-butylpicolinic acid named fusaric acid, could inhibit the growth
of Microsporum gypseum and Tricophyton gypseum.
Aphrodisiac / Antioxidant:
Study evaluated a root aqueous extract for aphrodisiac and
antioxidant properties. Results showed better results with
testosterone levels in blood of test animals. Antioxidant activity was
confirmed by comparison with silymarin.
Reduction of Morphine Withdrawal:
Study evaluated the effect of three pure tropane alkaloids from
Brugmansia arborea on morphine withdrawal. All three alkaloids
significantly and dose dependently reduced morphine withdrawal.
Effect of Secondary Metabolites on Morphine Tolerance
and Dependence:
Study evaluated the in vivo effect of Brugmansia arborea extract,
fractions, and isolated alkaloids on expression and acquisition of
morphine tolerance and dependence. The extract significantly
reduced the expression of morphine tolerance but was ineffective in
modulating its acquisition. The extract, fraction, and pure alkaloids
significantly attenuated both development and epression of
morphine dependence. Results suggest potential therapeutic
application in the treatment of opioid addiction.
Effect of Secondary Metabolites on Morphine Tolerance
and Dependence:
Study evaluated a methanol extract on the motor and reinforcing
effects of morphine and cocaine. Results showed B. arborea blocked
cocaine-induced hyperactivity but did not block cocaine-induced
CPP (conditioned play preference). The dopaminergic and
cholinergic systems may have provided a neurobiological substrate
for the effects observed. Results suggest B. arborea as a useful tool
for the treatment of morphine or cocaine abuse.
Central Nervous System Effects:
Study evaluated Peruvian Andes plants (Valeriana adscendens,
Iresine herbstii, and Brugmansia arborea) for CEN pharmacological
effects using various tests. Results showed the plants were able to
significantly reduce the CNS activity of animals with reduction of
motor coordination and stereotyped behavior together with induced
locomotor activity. Results support their psychotropic activity and
confirm their ritual use.
In Vitro Receptor Binding:
Study evaluated the affinity and the selectivity of V. adscendens,
Iresine herbstii Hook and Brugmansia arborea (L.) Lagerheim
towards 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C serotononergic, D1 and D2
dopaminergic, 1 and 2 adrenergic receptors by radioligand
assays. The B. arborea aqueous extract displayed weak affinity for
all receptors tested. The highest levels of inhibition at the maximum
concentration tested (125 g/ml) were 38% for the 5-HT1A , 16% for
the 5-HT2A and 39% for the 5-HT2C receptor.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Ornamental cultivation.
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