ABSTRACT
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action All parts of the plant contain significant quantities of tropane alkaloids, including hyoscine (scopolamine), hyoscyamine, and norhyoscine.1 The flowers may contain as much as 0.83% hyoscine, while the leaves contain 0.4% hyoscine.2 The flowers of mature, older plants contain as much as 3mg of hyoscine.2 Other plant genera containing similar tropane alkaloids included Datura and Hyoscyamus. The tropane alkaloids antagonize the actions of acetylcholine and muscarinic, cholinergic receptors, and therefore have a profound, clinically-evident effects upon the autonomic nervous system involving the heart, the digestive system, the eye and the central nervous system. The tropane alkaloids have hallucinogenic properties that have led to human abuse and fatalities.2,3
Risk Assessment Brugmansia species are common garden and patio plants in tropical and subtropical areas and are becoming more common as potted indoor plants in temperate areas. Consequently these plants have good potential for causing poisoning in household pets and children who might eat the leaves and flowers.
