ABSTRACT
Daturae Flos (flowers of Datura metel) is recorded by Chinese Pharmacopoeia for its important medicinal property. The most characteristic chemical constituents in Daturae Flos are withanolides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. There are also sesquiterpenoids, phenolic acid, and lignans in it. Daturae Flos has various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-itching, cytoprotection, antibacterial effects, antioxidation, and so on. Daturae Flos also has the effect on epithelial cells mitosis and skin keratinization, immune system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system. It is usually used to treat psoriasis, chronic tracheitis, asthma, infantile pneumonia, Parkinson disease, and rheumatism. In this paper, we summarize the chemical composition, pharmacyological effects, and clinical curative effect of Daturae Flos to prompt the development and utilization of them.