Medicinal importance of Atropa belladonna plant (tropane alkaloids) (Review)

Abstract

The name Atropa is thought to have been derived from the Greek goddess Atropos while, meaning a beautiful lady. Belladonna has also been used over the past centuries to relax muscles, especially of the stomach and intestines, to help relieve intestinal colic, and to treat peptic ulcers. It also relaxes the urinary tract, removing spasms. The ancients used the plant to treat Parkinson's disease, as it works to reduce tremors and stiffness. Modern medicine proved that belladonna alkaloids inhibit the parasympathetic central nervous system that controls the various involuntary activities of the body. These alkaloids increase heartbeats. It has been shown that belladonna is a sedative used to remove the pain of diseases accompanied by bouts of muscle contractions.