ABSTRACT
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action All parts of the plants and especially the seeds contain the tropane alkaloids Lhyoscyamine and scopolamine (L-hyoscine). Racemization of hyoscyamine into its D and L forms produces atropine. Hyoscyamine tends to be concentrated in the seeds, while scopolamine is prevalent in the leaves. The concentration of hyoscyamine in the seeds of Datura stramonium can reach concentrations of 0.20.6%.2 The tropane alkaloids are acetylcholine antagonists acting at the muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, heart, and digestive systems.
