Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Indian Belladonna extract and their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and larvicidal activities

Atropa acuminata aqueous leaf extract biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed strong antioxidant, anticancerous (HeLa cells) and anti-inflammatory activities. Besides, this bio syn-AgNP also proved effective against mosquito vectors causing malaria, dengue and filariasis. Present study highlights eco-friendly and sustainable approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using aqueous leaf extract of A. acuminata, a critically endangered medicinal herb. The addition of 1 mM silver nitrate to aqueous leaf extract resulted in the synthesis of AgNP when solution was heated at 60 °C for 30 min at pH 7. Absorption band at 428 nm, as shown by UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of AgNP. XRD patterns revealed the crystalline nature of AgNP and TEM analysis showed that most of the nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Zeta potential of AgNP was found to be - 33.5 mV which confirmed their high stability. FT-IR investigations confirmed the presence of different functional groups involved in the reduction and capping of AgNP. The synthesized AgNP showed effective DPPH (IC₅₀-16.08 µg/mL), H₂O₂ (IC₅₀-25.40 µg/mL), and superoxide (IC₅₀-21.12 µg/mL) radical scavenging activities. These plant-AgNP showed significant inhibition of albumin denaturation (IC₅₀-12.98 µg/mL) and antiproteinase activity (IC₅₀-18.401 µg/mL). Besides, biosynthesized AgNP were found to have strong inhibitory effect against a cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line (IC₅₀-5.418 µg/mL) as well as larvicidal activity against 3rd instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi (LC₅₀-18.9 ppm, LC₉₀-40.18 ppm), Aedes aegypti (LC₅₀-12.395 ppm, LC₉₀-36.34 ppm) and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀-17.76 ppm, LC₉₀-30.82 ppm) and were found to be non-toxic against normal cell line (HEK 293), and a non-target organism (Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides). This is the first report on the synthesis of AgNP using aqueous leaf extract of A. acuminata, validating their strong therapeutic potential.

Effectiveness of a Pre-emptive Preoperative Belladonna and Opium Suppository on Postoperative Urgency and Pain After Ureteroscopy

PURPOSE

Postoperative ureteroscopy patients can develop bladder spasms, complaints of pain, and the urgent need to void during emergence from anesthesia. Discomfort leads to patient agitation, resulting in a risk to patient safety. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a preemptive preoperative belladonna and opium (B + O) suppository on postoperative bladder comfort, narcotic requirements, and length of stay of ureteroscopy patients.

DESIGN

A prospective double-blind study was conducted.

METHODS

Fifty adult outpatients scheduled for ureteroscopy were assigned to routine care or a B + O suppository immediately after anesthesia induction. Urinary urgency and pain were assessed every 15 minutes.

FINDINGS

Urgency significantly decreased in the B+O group, with less than half reporting urgency at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-emptive preoperative administration of a B + O suppository before ureteroscopy results in decreased urinary urgency during the postoperative recovery. Pre-emptive preoperative interventions can result in positive outcomes before discharge.

[Anticholinergic syndrome caused by contaminated herbal tea; acting swiftly to identify the source]

BACKGROUND

Despite good manufacturing practice and quality control, consumer products can become contaminated. In some cases, this can result in severe and life-threatening intoxication with potentially fatal consequences.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old pregnant woman presented to the Emergency Department with severe anticholinergic syndrome after using a marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) herbal remedy, mixed into hot chocolate drink, to reduce symptoms of common cold. After a short stay in Intensive Care, the symptoms diminished and the patients could be released from hospital. The herbs were found to be contaminated with atropine, most probably derived from deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). Analyses of the contaminated product indicated that the patients were exposed to 20-200 mg atropine, while a dose of 2 mg is already considered mildly toxic.

CONCLUSION

Consultation of the Dutch National Poisons Information Center resulted in rapid detection of the contamination; close collaboration with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the manufacturer of the product allowed rapid identification of the source of contamination and facilitated the prevention of an epidemic.

[Overexpression of NtPMT and HnH6H changed hyoscyamine-rich Atropa belladonna to scopolamine-rich varieties]

Atropa belladonna L. is the commercial plant material for production of tropane alkaloids, including hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The wild-type Atropa belladonna is characterized by the hyoscyamine-rich chemotype, in which the hyoscyamine content is much higher than the scopolamine content. It is the common goal for the pharmaceutical industry to increase the content of scopolamine in A. belladonna. Based on the T0 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna with NtPMT and HnH6H overexpression, T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna were obtained through self-pollination and used in a field trial. The 461 bp fragment of NtPMT and the 1 077 bpHnH6 H were simultaneously expressed from T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna, but were not obtained from the wild-type A. belladonna. At the transcription level, the expression of NtPMT and HnH6H were detected in T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna, but were not detected in the wild-type plants. Further, the alkaloids were analyzed by HPLC. In the stems and leaves of T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna, hyoscyamine was not detected and scopolamine was detected at very high levels; in the stems and leaves of wild-type A. belladonna, hyoscyamine was detected at much higher levels. In the leaves of T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna, the content of scopolamine was 15-36 folds higher than that of wild- type leaves; in the stems of T1 progeny of transgenic A. belladonna, the scopolamine content was 37-108 folds higher than that of wild-type stems. In conclusion, overexpression of NtPMT and HnH6H greatly enhanced conversion of hyoscyamine into high-value scopolamine and improved the commercial value of A. belladonna.

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) intoxication: an analysis of 49 children

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) intoxication has been infrequently reported in both children and adults in the literature. In this article, the clinical and laboratory findings of 49 children with acute deadly nightshade intoxication are reviewed. Our purpose was to enlighten the findings of deadly nightshade intoxication in childhood. The most common observed symptoms and signs were meaningless speech, tachycardia, mydriasis, and flushing. None of the children required mechanical ventilation or died in our series. The patients were categorized into two groups, mild/moderate and severe intoxication. Children with and without encephalopathy were accepted as severe and mild/moderate intoxication, respectively. While 43 children were placed in the group of mild/moderate intoxication, six were in severe intoxication group. We found that meaningless speech, lethargy, and coma were more common, but tachycardia was less common in the severe intoxication group (children with encephalopathy) (P B-0.05). In the treatment, neostigmine was used in all children because of no available physostigmine in our country. In conclusion, our findings showed that the initial signs and symptoms of acute deadly nightshade intoxication might be severe in some children, but no permanent sequel and death were seen in children. We also showed that meaningless speech, lethargy, coma, and absence of tachycardia were ominous signs in deadly nightshade intoxication in childhood. Lastly, we suggest that neostigmine may be used in cases of deadly nightshade intoxication if physostigmine cannot be available.

Biochemical, microbiological and phytochemical studies on aqueous-fermented extracts from Atropa belladonna L. Part 2--Phytochemistry

Extraction methods of fresh plants into aqueous-fermented extracts according to German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB), regulation nos. 33 and 34 were evaluated. In the course of production, the extraction is accompanied by fermentation and the resulting preparation is stored for at least 6 months until further processing. In part 1 of the work, the biochemical reactions proceeding in aqueous-fermented extracts from the fresh flowering herb of Atropa belladonna var. belladonna (L.) were studied and the responsible microorganisms were identified. This second part aimed at shedding light on the phytochemical changes upon manufacture and storage. Additionally, questions were addressed at the robustness of the method by varying production conditions, its reproducibility and the comparison with ethanolic extraction. Studying 110 extracts produced from 2006 to 2009 as well as model experiments on isolated lactic acid bacteria in atropine solutions proved that the active substance atropine was stable under regular pH conditions. Interestingly, no difference between aqueous-fermented and ethanolic extracts could be found with respect to atropine concentration. In contrast, the amounts of scopoletin and kaempferol glycosides from Atropa belladonna differed depending on the extraction procedure.

Biochemical, microbiological and phytochemical studies on aqueous-fermented extracts from Atropa belladonna L. Part 1--biochemistry and microbiology

Extraction methods of fresh plants into aqueous-fermented extracts according to German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB), regulation nos. 33 and 34 were evaluated. In the course of production, the extraction is accompanied by fermentation and the resulting preparation is stored for at least 6 months until further processing. The present work aimed at revealing the underlying biochemical reactions during manufacture and storage. In addition, the responsible microorganisms were isolated and identified. To study the robustness of the preparation method, formulation components as well as production conditions were varied. Additionally, questions were addressed at the reproducibility of the method and a comparison with an ethanolic extract was also performed. From 2006 to 2009, 110 extracts from the fresh flowering herb of Atropa belladonna var. belladonna (L.) were produced and analyzed. The results show that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are primarily involved in the fermentation process, mainly producing lactic acid besides acetic acid and ethanol. The homofermentative Lactobacillus plantarum and the heterofermentative Lactobacillus brevis were identified as predominant lactic acid bacteria. Finally, factors for a successful fermentation are proposed.

The Alkaloids of the Genus Datura, Section Brugmansia: Part I. D. Cornigera Hook

Hyoscine has been isolated as the main alkaloid from the leaves, flowers, pericarp and seeds of Datura cornigera Hook. Noratropine occurs in the leaves, flowers and pericarp. The following alkaloids have been obtained from the roots, (—)-3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropane, 7-hydroxy-3,6-ditigloyloxytropane, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, atropine, norhyoscyamine, noratropine, 3α,6β-dihydroxytropane and the presence of others indicated. Hyoscyamine is the principal alkaloid of the whole roots but the root-wood, although giving a low yield of total alkaloids, contains a relatively high proportion of noratropine.

[Genetic aspects of the interrelation between alkaloids and chemical elements in Atropa belladonna L. and Glaucium flavum Grantz. plants]

The variability of the contents of tropane and isoquinoline alkaloids, ashes, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Mo, Cr, Al, Ba, V, Ni, Sr, Cd, Pb, J, and Ag was studied in individual plants of the industrial population of belladonna (Atropa belladonna L.) and yellow horned poppy (Glaucium flavum Crantz.). Numerous linear and nonlinear correlations of isoquinoline and tropane alkaloids with ashes and mineral elements were revealed by means of correlation and regression analyses. Alkaline earth elements (especially Sr and Ba) were shown to have a major role in the regulation of tropane alkaloid accumulation in belladonna leaves. K and Ni were of particular importance in the aerial part of yellow horned poppy. These elements at the suboptimal concentrations were most favorable for isoquinoline alkaloid accumulation in yellow horned poppy. Analytical mathematical models were derived for the regulation of alkaloid metabolism in test plants by some mineral elements (Ba, Mg, Al, Sr, Ni, Mn, and K). Our results indicate that the interrelation between alkaloids and elements in these plants is genetically determined.

Are extraction methods in quantitative assays of pharmacopoeia monographs exhaustive? A comparison with pressurized liquid extraction

The extraction methods in selected monographs of the European and the Swiss Pharmacopoeia were compared to pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with respect to the yield of constituents to be dosed in the quantitative assay for the respective herbal drugs. The study included five drugs, Belladonnae folium, Colae semen, Boldo folium, Tanaceti herba and Agni casti fructus. They were selected to cover different classes of compounds to be analyzed and different extraction methods to be used according to the monographs. Extraction protocols for PLE were optimized by varying the solvents and number of extraction cycles. In PLE, yields > 97 % of extractable analytes were typically achieved with two extraction cycles. For alkaloid-containing drugs, the addition of ammonia prior to extraction significantly increased the yield and reduced the number of extraction cycles required for exhaustive extraction. PLE was in all cases superior to the extraction protocol of the pharmacopoeia monographs (taken as 100 %), with differences ranging from 108 % in case of parthenolide in Tanaceti herba to 343 % in case of alkaloids in Boldo folium.

Amino acid sequences of ferredoxins from Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger: their similarities to those in other tropane-alkaloid-containing plants

The complete amino acid sequences of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger have been determined by automated Edman degradation of the entire S-carboxymethylcysteinyl proteins and of the peptides obtained by enzymatic digestion. These two ferredoxins exhibited 1-8 differences in their amino acid sequences compared to those of other tropane-alkaloid-containing plants (Scopolia japonica, Datura stramonium, D. metel, and D. arborea), and only 1 or 4 differences compared to S. japonica and D. arborea. In contrast, 9-23 differences were observed among the other solanaceous ferredoxins. This suggests that tropane-alkaloid-containing plants are closely related taxonomically.

Rapid in situ detection of alkaloids in plant tissue under ambient conditions using desorption electrospray ionization

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry is applied to the in situ detection of alkaloids in the tissue of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). The experiment is carried out by electrospraying micro-droplets of solvent onto native or freshly-cut plant tissue surfaces. No sample preparation is required and the mass spectra are recorded under ambient conditions, in times of a few seconds. The impact of the sprayed droplets on the surface produces gaseous ions from organic compounds originally present in the plant tissue. The effects of operating parameters, including the electrospray high voltage, heated capillary temperature, the solvent infusion rate and the carrier gas pressure on analytical performance are evaluated and optimized. Different types of plant material are analyzed including seeds, stems, leaves, roots and flowers. All the previously reported alkaloids have been detected in C. maculatum, while fifteen out of nineteen known alkaloids for D. stramonium and the principal alkaloids of A. belladonna were also identified. All identifications were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. Results obtained show similar mass spectra, number of alkaloids, and signal intensities to those obtained when extraction and separation processes are performed prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Evidence is provided that DESI ionization occurs by both a gas-phase ionization process and by a droplet pick-up mechanism. Quantitative precision of DESI is compared with conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (after sample workup) and the RSD values for the same set of 25 dicotyledonous C. maculatum seeds (one half of each seed analyzed by ESI and the other by DESI) are 9.8% and 5.2%, respectively.

Comparison of the Inhibitory Efficacy of Four Belladonna Drugs on Gastrointestinal Movement and Cognitive Function in Food-Deprived Mice

Belladonna drugs, scopolamine (Sco), atropine (Atr), anisodine (AT(3)), and anisodamine (Ani), frequently used for gastrointestinal motility disorders often produce adverse effects on the central nervous system. In the present work, these drugs (0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 micromol kg(-1), i.p.) were evaluated for their potential to inhibit gastrointestinal motility and cognition in mice. Results showed that the maximum inhibitory rates of Sco, Atr, AT(3), and Ani on gastric emptying and small intestinal movement were 29.78, 40.69, 12.30, and 17.99% and 51.98, 58.46, 46.51, and 46.22%, respectively. The affinities of Sco, Atr, AT(3), and Ani for muscarinic receptors in the whole mice were 1.62, 1.48, 2.28, and 1.11 micromol kg(-1) for the stomach or 0.30, 1.12, 0.59, and 1.14 micromol kg(-1) for the small intestine, respectively. The minimal effective doses for impairing avoidance-response learning were 5 micromol kg(-1) for Sco, Atr, or AT(3) and 50 micromol kg(-1) for Ani. The initial doses for insulting the avoidance-response memory or open-field memory were 0.5, 5, 5, and 50 micromol kg(-1) or 5, 5, 5, and >50 micromol kg(-1) for Sco, Atr, AT(3), and Ani, respectively. We conclude that the relative susceptibility of the mouse's tissue or function capacities towards the inhibitory effects of belladonna drugs is small intestine > stomach > avoidance-response memory > avoidance-response learning > open-field memory.

The effect of nitrate and ammonium concentrations on growth and alkaloid accumulation of Atropa belladonna hairy roots

The growth, the alkaloid production, as well as the scopolamine/hyoscyamine ratio of two clones of belladonna hairy roots were studied. The effects of nitrate and ammonium concentrations on these cultures were investigated. A rise in ammonium concentration caused the decline of the hairy roots, while nitrate had a marked effect on the alkaloid content. The alkaloid production obtained with 15.8 mM of NO3- and 20.5 mM of NH4+ was 1.2-1.4 times higher than that obtained when the roots were grown in the standard Murashige and Skoog medium (MS medium, 39.5 mM of NO3- and 20.5 mM of NH4+). The nitrate and ammonium concentrations in the culture medium also had a strong influence on the scopolamine/hyoscyamine ratio. When nitrate or ammonium concentrations were raised, that ratio also was increased 2-3-fold. The hairy root clones originating from transformations with two distinct strains of Agrobacterium had similar responses.

Prosystemin from potato, black nightshade, and bell pepper: primary structure and biological activity of predicted systemin polypeptides

Prosystemin is the precursor protein of the 18 amino acid wound signal systemin which activates systemic defense in tomato leaves against insect herbivores (McGurl B, Pearce G, Orozco-Cardenas M, Ryan CA, Science 255 (1992) 1570-1573). Here, we report the isolation of cDNA sequences encoding prosystemin from potato (Solanum tuberosum), black nightshade (S. nigrum), and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum), all members of the Solanaceae family, using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Pairwise comparisons of the predicted prosystemin proteins from the three species with tomato prosystemin and among each other indicated sequence identities ranging from 73% to 88%. The deduced systemin polypeptides were synthesized and tested for their capacities to induce the synthesis of the defensive proteinase inhibitors in tomato leaves. Potato and pepper systemins were approximately as active as tomato systemin, whereas nightshade systemin was ten-fold less active. The accumulation of proteinase inhibitor mRNA transcripts could be induced in each of these plants by treatment with the homologous systemin. As in the tomato, in potato, black nightshade, and bell pepper plants, prosystemin homologs appear to function as precursors of systemic wound signals.

The case of hallucinogenic plants and the Internet

The advent of the Internet both created opportunities and provoked problems for students, teachers, and parents. This article uses the example of Internet access to explicit information about locally available hallucinogenic plants to focus on important new issues in education: determining validity of Internet information and cultivating critical Internet consumer skills in students. Basic "textbook" information on three common psychotropic plants is contrasted with pro-drug information from selected World Wide Web sites. Guidelines are offered for evaluating Internet information, and suggestions are offered for developing effective decision-making skills in students.

A chemical study on the steroidal glycosides from Atropa belladonna L. seeds

Eight steroidal glycosides of the spirostane type tentatively named atroposides A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H (according to their increase in polarity) have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Atropa belladonna L. seeds by Sephadex gel filtration and column chromatography on silica gel impregnated with AgNO3. The structure of atroposides A, C, E, G has been elucidated as 3-O-alpha-D-galactopyranoside; 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside; 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside; and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside, each of (25R)-5 alpha-spirostane-3 beta-ol, respectively. The structure of atroposides B, D, F, and H has been elucidated as 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside; 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)beta-D-galactopyranoside; 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside; 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-B-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside, each of (25R)-spirost-5-en-3-b-0l, respectively.

Plasma and urine concentrations of atropine after the ingestion of cooked deadly nightshade berries

BACKGROUND

Adult intoxications due to ingestion of deadly nightshade berries is uncommon.

CASE REPORTS

Collective intoxication of eight persons occurred after accidental ingestion of ripened Atropa belladonna berries. Three of the four adults displayed delirious states with visual hallucinations; one patient fell into a coma and required mechanical ventilation. Four children and one adult exhibited mild peripheral anticholinergic symptoms. Kinetic data were obtained on the three hospitalized adults.

DISCUSSION

The optimal intensive care for such patients is discussed.