Thorn Apple

The Thorn Apple, botanically Datura stramonium, is a herbaceous plant from the family of nightshades (Solanaceae). Originally presumed to be native to Central America, it is today distributed almost worldwide, above all on ruderal sites, along waysides, and on nutrient-rich soils. Striking are its large, funnel-shaped, white flowers and the spiny capsule fruits that gave the plant its name.

The thorn apple has a long and at the same time ambivalent cultural history: on the one hand, it has been used for centuries in folk medicine, in rituals, and in the lore of magical plants; on the other hand, it is notorious for its highly toxic constituents. Even small amounts can have a toxic effect, which is why nowadays it is known above all as a poisonous plant.

What health benefits does the Thorn Apple offer?

The benefits attributed to the thorn apple in medicine are limited and relevant only under strictly controlled application. Research has long been occupied with its active compounds, in particular because of their pharmacological effect on the nervous system. Here are some of the findings to date:

  • Pain-relieving: Studies published so far suggest an analgesic effect that emanates from the plant (1,2).
  • Asthma therapy (historical): In the past, thorn apple leaves were used in the form of smoking or inhalation preparations to relieve asthma – this application is today considered outdated (1,2).
  • Antimicrobial effect: In investigations, methanol extracts of D. stramonium showed a dose-dependent effect against gram-positive bacteria. In addition, studies also showed an effect against fungi (1,2).
  • Anti-inflammatory effect: Results of scientific work suggest that an anti-inflammatory effect emanates from extracts of the plant (1,2).
  • Antidiabetic effect: In investigations, extracts from the leaves of the thorn apple showed a positive effect with regard to diabetes parameters (3).

How does the Thorn Apple work in the body?

The pharmacological effect of the thorn apple is based on the tropane alkaloids it contains (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine) (1).

Are there risks or side effects?

  • Highly toxic: All parts of the plant, in particular seeds and leaves, contain toxic amounts of tropane alkaloids. Self-application is extremely dangerous (4).
  • Symptoms of poisoning: Overdoses lead to dry mouth, visual disturbances, racing heartbeat, delirium, hallucinations, and in extreme cases to respiratory paralysis and death (4).
  • Narrow therapeutic range: The difference between an effective and a toxic dose is extremely small – therefore preparations made from the plant itself are not suitable for home use, and every type of application should always take place only under medical supervision.

Conclusion

The Thorn Apple is a plant rich in tradition, but a highly toxic plant. The pharmacologically active alkaloids contained in the plant hold a firm place in medicine in strictly controlled form. As a wild plant, the thorn apple represents a considerable risk of poisoning, which is why it is no longer used in natural medicine today.

Sources:

  1. Soni, P., Siddiqui, A. A., Dwivedi, J., & Soni, V. (2012). Pharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as a potential medicinal tree: an overview. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 2(12), 1002–1008. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60014-3
  2. Srivastava, R., & Srivastava, P. (2020). The medicinal significance of Datura stramonium: A review. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 29(2), 4761. https://doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2020.29.004761
  3. Baylie T, Kebad A, Ayelgn T, Tiruneh M, Hunie Tesfa K. Anti-Diabetic Effects of the 80% Methanolic Extract of Datura Stramonium Linn (Solanaceae) Leaves in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Mice. J Exp Pharmacol. 2023;15:375-389 https://doi.org/10.2147/JEP.S426925
  4. Chang SS, Wu ML, Deng JF. Poisoning by Datura leaves used as edible wild vegetables. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1999;41:242–245.