Henbane, Hyoscyamus niger, Kurasaaie vamu, jusquiane, Meimendro, dente cavallino, Meimendro,

Hyoscyamus niger L.
Family: Solanaceae

Synonyms: Hyoscarpus niger (L.) Dulac, Hyoscyamus agrestis Kit., Hyoscyamus auriculatus Ten., Hyoscyamus bohemicus F.W.Schmidt, Hyoscyamus lethalis Salisb., Hyoscyamus niger var. annuus Sims, Hyoscyamus niger var. chinensis Makino, Hyoscyamus officinarum Crantz, Hyoscyamus pallidus Waldst. & Kit. ex Willdenow, Hyoscyamus persicus Boiss. & Buhse, Hyoscyamus pictus Roth, Hyoscyamus syspirensis K.Koch, Hyoscyamus verviensis Lej., Hyoscyamus vulgaris Neck.

• English: Henbane
• Bengali : Khorasani ajwan 
• Gujrati : Khurasanee ajma, Khurasanee ajmo 
• Hindi : Khurasanee ajvayan, 
• Kannada : Khurasanee, Ajawaana 
• Malayalam : Khurasaanee, Paarasika, Yavaani 
• Marathi : Khurasanee ova 
• Punjabi : Khurasanee ajvain, Bangidewana 
• Tamil : Kurasanee Vomam 
• Telugu : Kurasanee vamu, Khurasanee omam 
• Urdu : Ajvayanee Khursanee 
• Arabic: بنج أسود
• Armenian: Բանգի սև
• Azerbaijani: Qara batbat
• Basque: Erabelar
• Bulgarian: Черна попадийка
• Chinese: 天仙子
• Czech: Blín černý
• Danish: Bulmeurt
• Esperanto: Nigra hiskiamo
• Estonian: Koera-pöörirohi
• Finnish: Hullukaali, villikaali
• French: jusquiane
• Galician: Meimendro
• German: Schwarzes Bilsenkraut
• Hindi: Khurasani ajwain
• Icelandic: Nornajurt
• Ido: Hiskiamo
• Irish: Gafann
• Italian: dente cavallino
• Kashubian: Czôrnô kadzelnica
• Kazakh: Қара меңдуана
• Korean: 사리풀
• Latin: Folia sive Herba Hyoscyami
• Nepali: र्खुसानी ज्वाँनु Khursani jwanu, बजरभाङ्ग Bajarabhaang
• Norwegian: Villrot
• Persian: بذرالبنج (گیاه)
• Polish: bielun
• Romanian: bob
• Russian: белена ерная
• Sanskrit: Parseek yawani
• Spanish: hierba loca
• Swedish: bolmört
• Upper Sorbian: Čorny woblěd
• Welsh: Llewyg yr iâr

Description: Plants annual or biennial, up to 1.5 m tall, pubescent to hairy. Leaves sessile, 5-12.5 x 2.8-7.5 cm, ovate-oblong, sinuate to pinnately lobed, ± semi-amplexicaul, glandular-pubescent, especially on the nerves and margins. Calyx 14-16 mm long, up to 26 mm in fruit, campanulate to infundibuliform, ± urceolate in fruit, nervose, glandular-pilose; lobes triangular, aristate. Corolla (18-) 20-30 mm long, infundibuliform, pale yellow, with brown-purple nerves; lobes ± obtuse, unequal; tube glandular-pilose to the outside. Stamens subexserted, unequal. Lower part of filament pilose, purplish. Style exceeding the stamens in length, purplish. Pyxidium 11-13 mm long, ± pitcher-shaped; operculum usually of a darker colour. Seeds ± 1.2 mm long, reniform, rugose-tuberculate, brown.

Used for dysmenorrhea, premature ejaculation, nocturnal discharges, abdominal colic, abdominal distention, abdominal lumps, calculus, cough, asthma, insomnia, insanity, spasmodic pain, and joint pain (therapeutic uses based on texts from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries). Seeds are used as a sedative, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, anthelmintic (prevent griping pain when added to cathartics), astringent and anodyne in Ayurvedic and Unani systems. Leaves are preferred in other systems. Seeds possess narcotic properties, and in large doses produces poisonous effects like datura poisoning. [Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeial Plant Drugs: Expanded Therapeutics]

Used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Hallucinogenic, toxic. This plant, in the roots, leaves and seeds, contains several alkaloids, and it has caused rare poisoning in humans, cattle, poultry and swine. Its hallucinogenic effects have led people to eat the seed or chew the flowers, often with detrimental results, the major affect of hyoscyamine is depression of the central nervous system. Ingestion causes anticholinergic syndrome with stimulatory and hallucinatory effects. Post- mortem examination showed degeneration of heart muscle and cyanosis of mucous membranes. Whole plant vermifuge. Fried leaves applied over the forehead to relieve pain and headache. Leaves and flowering tops used in asthma. Leaves and fruits decoction given in whooping cough and asthma. Powdered seeds and leaves given as sedative and antispas- modic, for asthma, intestinal worms, whooping cough. Seeds astringent, used as an anaesthetic and for relieving muscu- lar spasm and pain, toothache, diarrhea, neuralgia, hysteria, asthma, cough, skin inflammation; powdered seeds given to subside pain, toothache and asthma. Magico-religious plant, ritual, for exorcism, Lamas burn the seeds and blow the smoke into the patient’s mouth. Veterinary medicine, leaf extract applied in sprains. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Relieve spasm and pain, cause tranquilization. [Herbal and Traditional Medicine]

71 Published articles of  Hyoscyamus niger
1.    Adverse reaction of Parasika Yavani (Hyoscyamus niger Linn): Two case study reports Aparna, K., A.J. Joshi, and M. Vyas, Ayu, 2015. 36(2): p. 174-6.
2.    Photosynthetic capacity and ion accumulation in a medicinal plant henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) under salt stress Ashraf, M., Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality-Angewandte Botanik, 2004. 78(2): p. 91-96.
3.    Bioactive non-alkaloidal secondary metabolites of Hyoscyamus niger Linn. seeds: a review Begum, A.S., Research Journal of Seed Science, 2010. 3(4): p. 210-217.
4.    Hyoscyamal, a.n.t.l.f.H.n.L.B., A. Sajeli, et al., Natural Product Research, 2009. 23(7): p. 595-600.
5.    Study of anti-inflammatory, a.a.a.a.o.s.o.H.n.a.i.o.a.n.c.B., Sajeli, et al., Fitoterapia, 2010. 81(3): p. 178-184.
6.    Size and alkaloid content of seeds in induced autotetraploids of Datura innoxia, D.s.a.H.n.B., S., Pharmaceutical Biology, 2001. 39(5): p. 329-331.
7.    Reproductive abilities in induced autotetraploids of Datura stramonium L. and Hyoscyamus niger L. (Solanaceae) Berkov, S., Phytologia Balcanica, 2001. 7(1): p. 147-151.
8.    CULTIVATION STUDIES OF THE SOLANACEOUS DRUGS .2. THE EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL AND SOIL REACTION FERTILIZERS ON THE PRODUCTION YIELDS AND TOTAL ALKALOIDAL CONTENT OF ATROPA-BELLADONNA AND HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Brewer and L.D. Hiner, Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association-Scientific Edition, 1950. 39(10): p. 586-591.
9.    VERNALIZATION AND FLOWER INITIATION OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L - ONTOGENIC STUDIES Diomaiutobonnand, J., J.Y. Houivet, and C. Picard, Bulletin De La Societe Botanique De France-Lettres Botaniques, 1980. 127(5): p. 427-442.
10.    Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication no receiving physostigmine therapy Doneray, H., Z. Orbak, and C. Karakelleoglu, European Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2007. 14(6): p. 348-350.
11.    TROPINONE REDUCTASE IN ROOT CULTURES OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER ATROPA-BELLADONNA AND DATURA-STRAMONIUM Draeger, B., Planta Medica, 1990. 56(6): p. 499-499.
12.    PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PSEUDOTROPINE FORMING TROPINONE REDUCTASE FROM HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER ROOT CULTURES Drager, B., T. Hashimoto, and Y. Yamada, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, 1988. 52(10): p. 2663-2667.
13.    Uber den Einfluss von Dungemitteln auf den Alkaloidgehalt der Blatter von Hyoscyamus niger L Elan, Z.D., Heil Und Gewurzpflanzen, 1931. 13((3/4)): p. 122-130.
14.    Hyoscyamine and scopolamine production of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) infected with Pseudomonas putida and P. fluorescens strains under water deficit stress Ghorbanpour, M., et al., Planta Medica, 2010. 76(12): p. 1234-1234.
15.    Gastrointestinal, s.a.a.u.b.r.e.o.H.n.a.m.t.d.b.o.m.r.a.C.c.G., Anwarul Hassan, et al., Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 2008. 22(1): p. 87-99.
16.    PROSPECTS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER CULTIVATION IN THE HILLS OF UTTAR PRADESH INDIA Gupta, L.K. and S.C. Shah, Indian Drugs, 1985. 22(4): p. 184-186.
17.    SCOPOLAMINE PRODUCTION IN SUSPENSION-CULTURES AND REDIFFERENTIATED ROOTS OF HYOSCYAMUS NIGER Hashimoto, T. and Y. Yamada, Planta Medica, 1983. 47(4): p. 195-199.
18.    The effect of methanolic extract of Hyoscyamus niger L. on seizure induced by picrotoxin in mice Heidari, et al., Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 2006. 27: p. 315-316.
19.    CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE TOTAL ALKALOIDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER-D Hoffmann, J. and W. Poethke, Pharm Zentralh, 1967. 106(6): p. 357-366.
20.    Optimization of root proliferation medium for Hyoscyamus niger L Hong, M.L.K., et al., Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2010. 4(24): p. 2710-2718.
21.    Detection of elicitation effect on Hyoscyamus niger L. root cultures for the root growth and production of tropane alkaloids Hong, M.L.K., et al., Romanian Biotechnological Letters, 2012. 17(3): p. 7340-7351.
22.    Production of tropane alkaloids in Hyoscyamus niger (black henbane) hairy roots grown in bubble-column and spray bioreactors Jaremicz, Z., et al., Biotechnology Letters, 2014. 36(4): p. 843-853.
23.    TROPINE ALKALOIDS PRODUCTION BY HAIRY ROOT CULTURES OF DATURA-STRAMONIUM AND HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Jaziri, M., et al., Phytochemistry, 1988. 27(2): p. 419-420.
24.    Cardiovascular inhibitory effects of Hyoscyamus niger Khan, A.U. and A.H. Gilani, Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, 2008. 30(4): p. 295-300.
25.    In vivo Studies on the Bronchodilatory and Analgesic Activities of Hyoscyamus niger and Aspalathus linearis Khan, A.-u. and A.-H. Gilani, Latin American Journal of Pharmacy, 2010. 29(5): p. 777-782.
26.    Anti-convulsant effect of alcoholic Hyoscyamus niger L. seed extract on PTZ model of kindling in male mice Kiasalari, Z., et al., Razi Journal of Medical Sciences, 2011. 18(85): p. 27-33.
27.    THIOPHOSPHORIC ACID DERIVATIVES OF ETHYLAMINE, D.-M., AND L-PROLINE ETHYL ESTERS .4. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES IN SEEDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Klee, F. C. and E.R. Kirch, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1962. 51(6): p. 544-&.
28.    Henbane Kreitmair, H., Pharmazie, 1947. 2((9)): p. 423-423.
29.    Influence of heterosis, g.a.a.v.o.c.t.a.i.b.h.H.n.L.L., R. K. and S.P.S. Khanuja, Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding, 2005. 65(2): p. 155-157.
30.    Induced heterotic genetic diversity in black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) Lal, R.K., S.P.S. Khanuja, and H.O. Misra, Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding, 2005. 65(1): p. 63-64.
31.    RADIATION-INDUCED HYPERDIPLOIDY IN HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L Lavania, U.C., R.K. Lal, and J.R. Sharma, Experientia, 1985. 41(8): p. 1079-1080.
32.    ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY OF TROPANE ALKALOIDS AND FERTILITY IN ARTIFICIAL AUTOTETRAPLOIDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L Lavania, U.C. and S. Srivastava, Euphytica, 1991. 52(2): p. 73-78.
33.    ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY OF TROPANE ALKALOIDS AND FERTILITY IN ARTIFICIAL AUTOTETRAPLOIDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L Lavania, U.C. and S. Srivastava, Euphytica, 1991. 52(2): p. 73-77.
34.    CYTOGENETICS OF FERTILITY IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL AUTOTETRAPLOIDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L Lavania, U.C., S. Srivastava, and J. Sybenga, Genome, 1991. 34(2): p. 190-194.
35.    PAST OCCURRENCE OF HYOSCYAMUS NIGER L (SOLANACEAE) IN FINLAND ACCORDING TO THE MACROFOSSIL FINDS Lempiainen, T., Annales Botanici Fennici, 1991. 28(4): p. 261-272.
36.    Research on Hyoscyamus niger Li, J., et al., Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012. 30(3): p. 615-618.
37.    Functional genomic analysis of alkaloid biosynthesis in Hyoscyamus niger reveals a cytochrome P450 involved in littorine rearrangement Li, R., et al., Chemistry & Biology, 2006. 13(5): p. 513-520.
38.    Steroidal glycosides from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger L Lunga, I., et al., Natural Product Communications, 2008. 3(5): p. 731-734.
39.    Chemical structure of hyoscyamosides D and D(1) - spirostanol glycosides from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger L Lunga, I., et al., Planta Medica, 2008. 74(9): p. 1044-1044.
40.    CULTIVATION STUDIES OF THE SOLANACEOUS DRUGS .5. A NOTE ON A METHOD FOR INCREASING THE GROWTH OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Luopa, W. and W.R. Brewer, Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association-Scientific Edition, 1952. 41(1): p. 47-48.
41.    Lignanamides and nonalkaloidal components of Hyoscyamus niger seeds Ma, C.Y., W.K. Liu, and C.T. Che, Journal of Natural Products, 2002. 65(2): p. 206-209.
42.    Withanolides from Hyoscyamus niger seeds Ma, C.Y., I.D. Williams, and C.T. Che, Journal of Natural Products, 1999. 62(10): p. 1445-1447.
43.    A NOTE ON THE EFFECTS OF GIBBERELLINS ON ALKALOIDAL CONTENT OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Masuda, J.Y. and G.H. Hamor, Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 1959. 48(6): p. 361-361.
44.    METABOLISM OF HYGRINE IN ATROPA, H.A.P.M., B. A. and J.G. Woolley, Phytochemistry, 1979. 18(1): p. 189-190.
45.    GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF SCOPOLAMINE AND HYOSCYAMINE IN HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L DURING ONTOGENESIS Mika, E.S. and B.L. Wuchu, Lloydia, 1970. 33(4): p. 495-&.
46.    Amino acid sequences of ferredoxins from Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger: Their similarities to those in other tropane-alkaloid-containing plants Mino, Y., et al., Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2005. 28(8): p. 1535-1538.
47.    THE INFLUENCE OF FERTILIZERS ON THE GROWTH AND ALKALOIDAL CONTENT OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER LINN Prasad, S., Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association-Scientific Edition, 1946. 35(4): p. 121-127.
48.    INFLUENCE OF TIME OF APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND ALKALOIDAL CONTENT OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER LINN Prasad, S., Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association-Scientific Edition, 1947. 36(6): p. 180-184.
49.    Influence of calcium on the tropane alkaloid production and riboflavine excretion in the root cultures of Hyoscyamus niger Pudersell, K., et al., European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2007. 32(1): p. S33-S34.
50.    Plant nutritional elements and tropane alkaloid production in the roots of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Pudersell, K., et al., Pharmaceutical Biology, 2003. 41(4): p. 226-230.
51.    Study of the flavin pigment riboflavine in the medium of the root cultures of Hyoscyamus niger L Pudersell, K., et al., European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003. 19: p. S29-S30.
52.    Inorganic ions in the medium modify tropane alkaloids and riboflavin output in Hyoscyamus niger root cultures Pudersell, K., et al., Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2012. 8(29): p. 73-77.
53.    EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE ANTI HELMINTHIC EFFECT OF PARYUSHITA-AVARI SEETA KASHAYA COLD INFUSION OF PARASEEKA YAVANI HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER IN-VITRO Rao, N.H., Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1982. 44(1): p. 31-31.
54.    THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER LINN Rohatgi, S. and J.W. Fairbairn, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1950. 2(5): p. 286-303.
55.    Hyosgerin, a.n.o.a.c., from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger Sajeli, B., et al., Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2006. 54(4): p. 538-541.
56.    Antiparkinsonian Effects of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Hyoscyamus niger Seeds Result From its Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Potency Sengupta, T., et al., Neurochemical Research, 2011. 36(1): p. 177-186.
57.    PRODUCTIVITY AND CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF AN UNBRANCHED MUTANT IN HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L Sharma, J.R., et al., Plant Breeding, 1986. 97(4): p. 375-378.
58.    INDUCED POLYGENIC CHANGES OCCURRING SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH MAJOR GENE CHANGES IN BLACK HENBANE (HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L) Sharma, J.R., et al., Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 1992. 85(4): p. 445-450.
59.    POTENTIAL OF GAMMA-RADIATION ENHANCING THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF TROPANE ALKALOIDS IN BLACK HENBANE (HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER L) Sharma, J.R., et al., Euphytica, 1989. 40(3): p. 253-258.
60.    Genetics of flowering time and plant height in black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Sharma, J.R., et al., Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, 1999. 21(4): p. 1006-1010.
61.    ALKALOIDS OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER AND DATURA-STRAMONIUM Sharova, E.G., S.Y. Aripova, and O.A. Abdilalimov, Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, 1977. 1: p. 126-127.
62.    Evaluation of Hyoscyamus niger L. extracts for antibacterial activity Singh, S.K. and V.D. Pandey, Plant Archives, 2009. 9(1): p. 97-100.
63.    HISTORY AND BIOLOGY OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER IN SWEDEN Svensson, R. and M. Wigren, Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift, 1989. 83(1): p. 29-45.
64.    Transformation of pollen embryo-derived explants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Hyoscyamus niger Tu, S., et al., Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 2005. 81(2): p. 139-148.
65.    Improved efficiency of somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos in Hyoscyamus niger by seed water-soaking Tu, S.J., R.S. Sangwan, and B.S. Sangwan-Norreel, Scientia Horticulturae, 2005. 106(3): p. 440-445.
66.    Riboflavin excretion from the excised roots of Hyoscyamus niger Vardja, T., et al., Pharmaceutical Biology, 2004. 42(4-5): p. 353-359.
67.    PRODUCTION OF SCOPOLAMINE BY NORMAL ROOT CULTURE OF HYOSCYAMUS-NIGER Woo, S.H., J.M. Park, and J.W. Yang, Biotechnology Letters, 1995. 17(9): p. 921-926.
68.    Engineering tropane biosynthetic pathway in Hyoscyamus niger hairy root cultures Zhang, L., et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2004. 101(17): p. 6786-6791.
69.    Simultaneous determination of atropine, s., and anisodamine from Hyoscyamus niger L. in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetics study Zhang, Peiting, et al., Journal of Separation Science, 2014. 37(19): p. 2664-2674.
70.    A new steroidal glycoside from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger Zhang, W., et al., Natural Product Research, 2013. 27(21): p. 1971-1974.
71.    Phytotoxicity of Lignanamides Isolated from the Seeds of Hyoscyamus niger Zhang, W.-N., J.-G. Luo, and L.-Y. Kong, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012. 60(7): p. 1682-1687.