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

Studies on Datura Leichhardtii Muell. Ex Benth

The variation in the proportion of hyoscyamine and hyoscine in the aerial parts of Datura leichhardtii has been investigated. From the roots, the alkaloids 7-hydroxy-3, 6-ditigloyloxytropane, 3α-tigloyloxytropane and meteloidine have been isolated.

A note on the alkaloidal content of Datura innoxia Miller

Hyoscyamine, hyoscine and meteloidine have been found in the leaves, herbs and roots of D. innoxia Miller, but only hyoscyamine and hyoscine are present in flowers, pericarps and seeds. In addition, the roots contain 7-hydroxy-3,6-ditigloyl-oxytropane, (–)-3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropane, tropine and pseudotropine. All the parts of the plant contain a higher percentage of hyoscyamine or hyoscyamine and meteloidine mixture than of hyoscine.

Translocation of alkaloids in Datura species

The ditigloyl esters of the hydroxytropanes, normally found in the roots of Datura spp. occur also in the transpiration stream of D, innoxia and D. cornigera although they do not accumulate in the aerial parts. An alkaloid previously isolated from the leaves or roots of a number of species, and now obtained from the transpiration stream is probably an optical isomer of norhyoscine. Hyoscine is the principal alkaloid of the sap of both the species investigated and noratropine and hyoscyamine are also present.

The morphology and histology of seeds of Datura cornigera Hook

The macroscopical and microscopical characters of the seeds of Datura cornigera Hook, are described and illustrated. A most striking feature is the peculiar spongy parenchyma which constitutes the major part of the testa. The location of alkaloids is surprising, only the collapsed inner part of the testa showed no content of alkaloids. In the outer layers of the endosperm, many cells contained regular crystals of a substance which dissolved in strong sulphuric acid giving an intense orange colour.