Products
In many countries, no medicines containing preparations of angel’s trumpet are on the market. Angel’s trumpets are sold as ornamental plants.
Stem plant
Angel’s trumpets belong to the genus and family Solanaceae. Representatives are, for example , and . The decorative plants are originally from South America. They are perennial shrubs or trees with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that open downward. By the way, the assignment to the genus is not (anymore) accurate. For example, the datura does not belong to the angel trumpets.
Ingredients
Angel’s trumpets contain toxic tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and the racemate atropine.
Effects
The tropane alkaloids have anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) properties, i.e., they abolish the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, a portion of the autonomic nervous system. The alkaloids are competitive antagonists at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Indications for use
In Europe, there are currently no indications for the use of preparations from angel’s trumpet. On the other hand, the pharmacologically active ingredients are used medicinally, but today they are also produced synthetically (see there). In the countries of origin, angel’s trumpets were used for ritual, psychoactive and medicinal purposes.
Abuse
Like other members of the nightshade family (e.g., datura), angel’s trumpets are abused as hallucinogens. For this purpose, the plant parts such as the leaves and flowers are infused, for example, as tea. Particularly at risk are young people who like to experiment and drug addicts.
Adverse effects
Because of the dangerous to life-threatening adverse effects, abuse is strongly discouraged. Symptoms of intoxication include (selection):
- Central disturbances: Confusion, disorientation, agitation, paranoia, anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations, amnesia, delirium.
- Eyes: pupillary dilation, accommodation disorders, visual disturbances.
- Digestive tract: dry mouth, constipation.
- Cardiovascular: tachycardia (fast heartbeat), arrhythmia.
Accidents, self-mutilations and deaths associated with poisoning are frequently reported. Poisoning can also occur unintentionally, for example, during gardening or when children play with the plants.
