Datura stramonium dilated pupils

The tropane alkaloids (—)-hyoscyamine and (—)-hyoscine are found in the toxic plants deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and thornapple (Datura stramonium) and are widely used in medicine. Hyoscyamine, usually in the form of its racemate atropine, is used to dilate the pupil of the eye, and hyoscine is employed to control motion sickness. Both alkaloids are esters of (—)-tropic acid. 

Datura stramonium Jimson weed, devil s weed, Thorn apple. Contains atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine. Stramonium tea and cigarettes used to be used for asthma. Dilated pupils, mania, red skin colour (dilated vessels and no sweating) thirst, tachycardia, vomiting, convulsions. 100-125 seeds lethal. Death uncommon. Datura was apparently used in India by poisoners to remove idiots from positions of high rank. 

On Datura stramonium stocks similar results have been obtained, and i-hyoscyamine has been isolated from the tomato scions as the aurichloride (76). The fruits when eaten by humans caused dryness of the mouth, dilation of the pupils and other signs of hyoscyamine poisoning according to Krajevoj and Nachev (75) but Vincent and Dulucq-Mathou (80a) were able to find mydriatic alkaloids only in the leaves. Ripe fruits gave none. 

Two elderly women developed agitation, confusion, urinary retention, dry mouth, and dilated pupils within 3 hours of taking the dried seeds of Datura stramonium. They recovered completely after symptomatic treatment for 5 days. 

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