March 2013, Vol.11, No.2 73 Journal of Integrative Medicine www.jcimjournal.com/jim 1 Introduction The genus “Datura” (Solanaceae) comprises all the night- shades and agricultural plants, including potato, tomato, coffee and pepper. Classiication of different species within Datura genus relies heavily on genetic markers, which suggests that this genus has huge variation due to mutation [1,2] . Datura stramonium, the most common species within this family, is native to Asia, but is also found in the United States, Canada, and the West Indies. It is widespread with higher abundance in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions [3] . Traditionally, D. stramonium has been used for mystic and religious purposes [4] , and as an herbal medicine with narcotic effects or to treat asthma [5] . The seed of D. stramonium is smoked to achieve hallucinogenic experiences as well [6] . D. stramonium is toxic when consumed improperly. Accidental poisoning of humans and animals who consumed food sources contaminated with D. stramonium has been reported [7] . In areas where millet, wheat, rye, corn, and bean seeds are used for human consumption, and where D. stramonium is a common weed, the grain sometimes has been contaminated with Datura seeds [8] . In Ayurvedic medicine, D. stramonium is described as a useful remedy for various human ailments including ulcers, wounds, inlammation, rheumatism and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma and bronchitis, toothache, etc [9] . Many folk medicine remedies use D. stramonium therapeutically. In the Hindu religion, the seed of D. stramonium is believed to be associated with the God Shiva, which can promote misuse of the plant on religious occasions, such as Shivaratri and Swasthani Puja [10] . In modern medicine, the ● Review A review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L. Bhakta Prasad Gaire 1 , Lalita Subedi 2 1. Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130- 701, South Korea 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath-33701, Kaski, Nepal ABSTRACT: Datura stramonium L., a wild-growing plant of the Solanaceae family, is widely distributed and easily accessible. It contains a variety of toxic tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscamine, and scopolamine. In Eastern medicine, especially in Ayurvedic medicine, D. stramonium has been used for curing various human ailments, including ulcers, wounds, inflammation, rheumatism and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma and bronchitis, and toothache. A few previous studies have reported on the pharmacological effects of D. stramonium; however, complete information regarding the pharmacology, toxicity, ethnobotany and phytochemistry remains unclear. Ethnomedicinally, the frequent recreational abuse of D. stramonium has resulted in toxic syndromes. D. stramonium, in the form of paste or solution to relieve the local pain, may not have a deleterious effect; however, oral and systemic administration may lead to severe anticholinergic symptoms. For this reason, it is very important for individuals, mainly young people, to be aware of the toxic nature and potential risks associated with the use of this plant. This comprehensive review of D. stramonium includes information on botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and ethnomedicinal uses. KEYWORDS: Datura stramonium; pharmacologic actions; medicine, traditional; phytotherapy; drug toxicity; review DOI: 10.3736/jintegrmed2013016 Gaire BP, Subedi L. A review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L. J Integr Med. 2013; 11(2): 73-79. Received October 15, 2012; accepted October 30, 2012. Open-access article copyright © 2013 Bhakta Prasad Gaire et al. Correspondence: Bhakta Prasad Gaire; Tel: +82-2-961-9315; E-mail: samarpanbp@gmail.com