A particular plant in our locality is said to have a hallucinogen effect when the extracts are mixed in any beverage. Additionally, some of the locals said that the plant is poisonous. I am planning to use the plant for research, can you please provide me with the possible medicinal potential of my candidate plant and what would be the test (cellular metabolic activity test) that I should carry or subject my plant to. Thank you.
Is your plant used for the treatment of some diseases locally by the society? First you need to perform phytochemical screening for major plant secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, glycosides, polyphenols, flavonoids and others. Then, isolation and structure elucidation will be performed. Pharmacology and toxicology study will be carried out later using in vitro and in vivo techniques.
Hello,
Your question is quite interesting. Do you possibly know the Latin name for the plant? It is said that being a medicine or a poison is always just a matter of dose. The discussed subject is very broad, just to mention some plants which could be of your interest:
Datura stramonium - contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine), had been formerly used as an asthma remedy. Larger doses can cause hallucinations.
Rauvolfia serpentina - comprises several indole alkaloids (raserpine, ajmaline). Used as tranquilizer and cardiac drug.
Digitalis purpurea - the herb extract consists of several cardiac glycosides, still used until today in some countries. It has shown a large risk for overdosing.
You could also google out some information about yohimine or ayahuasca.
First of all, it would be very useful if you could find out the English or Latin name for this plant. You should check if it has been already studied and the chemical composition is known. Basing on contained type of alkaloids could suggest the field of medicinal potential.
Cheers,
Adam
Thank you for your response Sir Alemu and Sir Adam. I still need to confirm the plant, but I am sure it is under Datura genus or Thorn apple.
Datura species produce hyoscine (scopolamine) against motion sickness. They also produce atropine.
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