Date of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Department
Biological Sciences
Director of Thesis
Juan Francisco León
Second Reader
Michael Wyatt
Abstract
Datura stramonium is a plant that is known for its toxicity. However, a facet of this plant’s noxious chemicals, namely its tropane alkaloids, can be used medicinally. The aim of this paper was to compile knowledge on the botanical, chemical, and medicinal properties of Datura stramonium L with a focus on atropine, scopolamine, and anisodamine; three tropane alkaloid compounds with the ability to be both a poison and a medicine. Information was compiled using pre-existing studies, articles, and literature reviews on D. stramonium. For each of the three alkaloids, their biosynthetic pathways, targets, administration, distribution, metabolism, and excretion were discussed. It was found that there were many overlaps in this information between the three compounds due to their similar chemical structures.
First Page
1
Last Page
34
Recommended Citation
Raffaldt, Ruby M., "The Pharmaceutical Applications of Poisonous Compounds Found in Datura stramonium" (2025). Senior Theses. 779.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/779
Rights
© 2025, Ruby M. Raffaldt