Scopolia
Scopolia | |
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Scopolia carniolica | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Solanaceae |
Genus: | Scopolia Lam. |
Species | |
Scopolia carniolica |
Scopolia is a genus of five species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae, native to Europe and Asia. The genus is named after Giovanni Scopoli (1723–88), a Tyrolean naturalist.
Scopolia carniolica is a creeping perennial plant, with light green leaves and pale yellow to dull red flowers. It is sometimes cultivated as a decorative plant. Scopolia's extract (which contains a form of the alkaloid scopolamine) is used in at least one commercial stomach remedy (Inosea, produced by Sato Pharmaceutical). The extract is an anti-spasmodic in low doses and may be used to relax smooth muscle tissue or prevent motion-sickness induced nausea; in higher doses it is a poison having hallucinogenic and memory-inhibiting effects.
Other alkaloids found in Scopolia carniolica include cuscohygrine and hyoscyamine.
Alkaloids found in Scopolia tangutica include hyoscyamine, scopolamine, anisodamine, and anisodine.
Alkaloids found in Scopolia atropoides (possibly just a synonym for Scopolia carniolica) include atroscine.
![](../I/m/Eykman1883-Scopoliae_Rhizoma.jpg)
The coumarin phenylpropanoids umbelliferone and scopoletin have been isolated from the roots of Scopolia japonica.
The related species Atropanthe sinensis is sometimes included in Scopolia as Scopolia sinensis.[1]
References
Further reading
- Ben-Wyk, Erik & Wink, Michael (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-602-7.
- Huang, Kee Chang & Williams, Walter (1999). The pharmacology of Chinese herbs. CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-1665-0.
- D'Arcy, William G. (1986). Solanaceae. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-05780-6.