An unusual case of accidental poisoning with Dhatura seeds {sp. Datura stramonium; Syn: Thorn apple) is reported. Its clinical features are essentially due to its peripheral anticholinergic actions and are briefly discussed.
Traditional Malay herbal medicine is still used in Malaysia especially in rural areas, instead of using modern medicine. Datura or "kecubung" has been used to treat allergic rhinitis in certain places. Inaccurate doses can potentially cause severe or fatal neurologic anti-cholinergic toxidromes. A good knowledge of toxidromes with optimization of supportive care can prevent fatal complications and lead to a more speedy recovery. We present a case of kecubung poisoning.
In a laboratory trial three chickpea varieties viz, Karak-I, Karak-III and Shenghar were tested against the phytotoxicity of five weed species: Parthenium hysterophorus L., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin., Datura alba L., Cyperus rotundus L. and Convolvulus arvensis L.in January 2013. The weed extracts were prepared at the rate of 120 g/L (w/v) after shade dry. The results indicated highly significant inhibitory effect of all the tested weed species on the chickpea varieties. The results also showed that the chickpea variety Karak-III was more susceptible to the phytotoxcity of the tested weed extracts. Among the extract, C. arvensis proved much toxic in term of inhibition of germination by giving only 43.33% germination in comparison with control where 97.50% germination was recorded. On the other hand, the effect of P. australis extract was found a little stimulator by speeding the seed germination in all varieties and giving a low (2.21) mean germination time (MGT) value. From the current results it can be concluded that the infestation of C. arvensis can pollute the soil by accumulating toxic chemicals that leads to the germination failure and growth suppression in chickpea. Therefore, the prevention and removal of C. arvensis in the chickpea growing areas could be recommended. In addition, P. australis must be tested against chickpea weeds (chickpea varieties withstand against its phytotoxcity), so that it can be popularized as bioherbicide in chickpea if it gave promising results in controlling chickpea weeds.
Datura plants contain anticholinergic properties. Consumers may present with a spectrum of anticholinergic symptoms, including hallucination, agitation, tachycardia, delirium, hyperthermia, and dilated pupils. Prompt identification of the symptoms with appropriate treatment can be life-saving. Some patients might not be able to provide history and therefore recognition of toxidromes is imperative. Awareness should be built among the public who may be exposed to such fruits or plants.
This study aimed at investigating the presence of alkaloids and other chemical constituents in Datura stramonium (Saikaran, Jimson weed). All parts of the plant were dried, crushed and then underwent extraction by soxhlet and maceration methods. The solvents used in these methods were normal hexane (nonpolar) and ethanol (polar). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and FTIR techniques were used to analyse the chemical components of jimson weed. The results showed the presence of hyoscine in all plant parts while atropine in the seeds only. The best separation was found to be when the solvent system was acetone: water: ammonia (90:07:03). Maceration method is the best and cost effective procedure for extraction.