DATURAE FOLIA, I.C.A.
DATURA LEAVES.
Related entries: Belladonna - Hyoscyamus - Stramonium - Scopola
Datura leaves are obtained from Datura fastuosa, Linn., var. alba, Nees, and of Datura Metel, Linn. (N.O. Solanaceae), annual plants indigenous to India. The leaves are ovate in shape, unequal at the base, and acuminate at the apex. The petioles are long, and the margin sinuate-dentate, with a few spreading teeth. The larger leaves are 17 to 20 centimetres in length, and 10 to 12.5 centimetres broad. They are brownish or yellowish-green in colour, brittle, and bear scattered, simple and stalked glandular hairs. The trumpet-shaped corolla, together with the stamens, is sometimes present. The drug has a slight unpleasant odour, and a bitter taste.
Constituents.—The chief constituent of the leaves is 0.5 per cent. of hyoscine (scopolamine), only traces of hyoscyamine and atropine being present.
Action and Uses.—Datura leaves are used in India and in the Eastern and West Indian Colonies as an equivalent of belladonna and stramonium leaves. Datura cigarettes, as sold in this country for smoking in cases of asthma, are usually prepared from the leaves of Datura Stramonium and Datura Tatula.
DATURAE SEMINA, I.C.A.
DATURA SEEDS.
Datura seeds are the product of Datura fastuosa, Linn., var. alba, Nees (N.O. Solanaceae), an annual plant indigenous to India. The seeds are auriform, 4 to 5 millimetres broad, and about 1 millimetre thick. They are thickened towards the curved margin, which is wavy, the edge exhibiting a triple ridge. They are yellowish-brown in colour, the testa being thick, and finely pitted. The hilum is prominent, and extends from the acute end of the seed to about the middle of the flattened edge. The seeds have a bitter taste, but no odour.
Constituents.—The chief constituent of the seeds is the alkaloid hyoscine (scopolamine), but traces of hyoscyamine and atropine are also present. In addition, the seeds contain resin and a fixed oil.
Action and Uses.—Datura seeds are used in India as an equivalent of stramonium seeds. A tincture is prepared, which is a useful sedative against asthmatic coughs.
PREPARATION.
- Tinctura Datum Seminum, I.C.A.—TINCTURE OF DATURA SEEDS.
- Datura seeds, bruised, 25; alcohol (70 per cent.), sufficient to produce 100. Prepared by the percolation process. Tincture of datura seeds is official in India and the Eastern Colonies for use as a respiratory sedative and antispasmodic. The action is due to the alkaloids of the seeds. Dose.—3 to 10 decimils (0.3 to 1.0 milliliters) (5 to 15 minims).
The British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911, was published by direction of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.