PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF DHATURA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Dhatura is a well known medicinal plants belonging to solanaceae family and also known as devil’s trumpet or thorn apple. According to ayurvedic text it’s all part is used as medicinal drug and as a preparation with other drugs in various diseases. Preparation with other drugs is depends on Rog (disease), Desh (region), Kaal (time), Ritu (season) and Ras panchak. In modern era selection of drug and route of administration very much depends upon the chemical composition or alkaloids present in drug. Dhatura is a rich source of alkaloids such as Hyoscyamine, hyoscine, scopolamine, atropine, withanolides (lactones) and other tropanes. According to alkaloid present, the formulation containing Dhatura having antibacterial, antioxidant, herbicidal, antifungal, antiviral and antiulcer activity. Traditionally it is used in skin disorder, ear pain, cough, fever and asthma etc. The present review summarizes the phyto-chemistry, pharmacological and traditional uses of the Dhatura.