[ effect of chloramphenicol on atropine and scopolamine contents in datura stramonium L]

In regard to the importance of atropine and scopolamine as medicines with natural source, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of chloramphenicol as an inhibitor of protein synthesis on the alkaloids content of Datura stramonium. After initial preparation of medicinal garden seeds, they were planted 50 cm apart in four different sections. Three different concentrations of chloramphenicol [100, 200 and 400 ppm] were sprayed on the plant once a week for a period of 18 weeks. Water was applied for the control group. Replicate samples were taken randomly every two weeks from each section. After extraction and separation of the samples, the quantitative analyses were carried out. The levels of atropine and scopolamine were determined using UV spectroscopy [¹³CNMR, UV, IR, Mass]. The maximum levels of alkaloids were observed in young stems of the plants. The best result was obtained following applying the concentration of 200 ppm, which caused a significant increase in atropine and scopolamine levels in all parts of plant by 100% and 110% respectively in comparison with the control group [p< 0.005]. Increase in the availability of amino acids may lead to an increase of alkaloids production following protein inhibition synthesis

Germination and growth of dature innoxia mill i in vitro studies on the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with selected vitamins on germination and seedling growth

An inexpensive technique for ensuring high percentage of in vitro seed germination of Datura innoxia Mill. a hard to germinate medicinal plant producing scopolamine, was tested successfully in a factorial randomised experiment. Assay of seeds for their native vitamin B1, B6 and C contents revealed very low concentrations. They were, therefore, treated for 18 h at 20°C with 0, 250, 500, 750 or 1,000 ppm of these three vitamins as well as B-complex and incubated in petri dishes for 5 weeks. Counts, made at weekly intervals, indicated 28 days as the optimal stage for germination. Growth parameters, studied at 35 days were found to be significantly affected by all treatments at P=0.05. Out of the four vitamins treated, B6 and, among the concentrations, 500 ppm alone and in combination proved most efficacious in breaking seed dormancy and accelerating early seedling growth of D. innoxia

effect of gamma radiation and manganese application on growth and chemical constituents of datura metel L

The present work was conducted during two successive seasons to study the combined effect of irradiation with Mn on the growth and chemical components of Datura metel. Manganese treatment had no pronounced effect on growth characters, photosynthetic pigments and most of the nutrient elements. On the other hand, Mn treatment at 50 ppm increased alkaloid content and yield in the leaves. Irradiation treatments, especially the lower doses, had stimulatory effect on plant height and leaves number/plant. Medium doses of gamma irradiation combined with manganese treatment improved the accumulation of total alkaloid content, photosynthetic pigments, and some nutrients content, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and copper