Atropa belladonna

Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, is a poisonous perennial plant native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Its berries and leaves contain tropane alkaloids that can cause severe poisoning.

Tropane alkaloids: A class of plant alkaloids with a bicyclic tropane structure and varied effects on the nervous system. Atropa belladonna produces these compounds, including hyoscyamine and scopolamine.
Ophthalmology: The medical specialty concerned with the eyes and their diseases. Atropine can dilate the pupil and temporarily paralyze accommodation during eye examinations.
Deadly nightshade poisoning: Toxic illness caused by ingesting or otherwise absorbing alkaloids from Atropa belladonna. This is the plant-specific form of belladonna alkaloid poisoning.
Belladonna: A name meaning “beautiful lady,” used for Atropa belladonna and for substances associated with it. The name recalls the plant’s historical cosmetic use to dilate pupils.
Atropine: A medication and antimuscarinic drug derived from or modeled on hyoscyamine, which blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It is the racemic form associated with belladonna’s principal antimuscarinic alkaloid.
Motion sickness: Nausea and related symptoms caused by conflicting sensory signals during movement. Scopolamine, an alkaloid also found in belladonna, is used to prevent it.
Tropane alkaloid poisoning: Illness caused by exposure to tropane alkaloids, which can disrupt autonomic and central nervous system function. Belladonna is one natural source within this broader class of poisonings.
Atropa: A genus of poisonous plants in the nightshade family, named after Atropos, a Fate in Greek mythology. The genus name links deadly nightshade with the mythological figure who cut the thread of life.
Hyoscyamine: A tropane alkaloid that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and occurs naturally in several nightshades. It is a major alkaloid in the plant and contributes to its toxic effects.
Organophosphate poisoning: Poisoning caused by compounds that inhibit acetylcholinesterase and can produce excessive cholinergic activity. Atropine treats its muscarinic symptoms, despite belladonna alkaloids causing the opposite receptor effect.

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Plant toxicityBroader topic: Its alkaloids can cause severe anticholinergic poisoning after ingestion.