Scopolamine (d-hyoscine) and attopine (dl-hyosycamine) is a tropane alkaloid found in the leaves and seeds of several plant species of the family Solanaceae, including deadly nightshade (Atropa bella-donna) and henbane (Hyoscyamus niger). Atropine, a major alkaloid in deadly nightshade, is also found in JIMSONWEED (Datura stramonium). In Europe, in centuries past, henbane was a component of socalled witches' brews or was applied as an ointment to mucous membranes. According to some folktales, the idea that witches fly on broomsticks was derived from the sensation of a flying experience after the use of such ointments.

Scopolamine and atropine have very similar actions. They act as competitive antagonists at both peripheral and central muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Scopolamine is still sometimes used clinically for the treatment of motion sickness. The compound also causes central nervous system depression, leading to drowsiness, amnesia, and fatigue. It also has some euphoric effects and abuse liability, but these are not considered to be of such magnitude to require control of the drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Attopine has fewer actions on the central nervous system than scopolamine. It is used to reduce actions at peripheral cholinergic structures—it produces decreased gastric and intestinal secretions as well as spasms and also results in pupillary dilation. It blocks the action of the vagus nerve that results in slowing of the heart. It is often used before operations to prevent unwanted reflex slowing of the heart beat.

High doses of either of these tropane alkaloids can cause confusion and delirium accompanied by decreased sweating, dry mouth, and dilated pupils.

Bibliography

BROWN, J. H., TAYLOR, P. (1996). Muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists. In J. G. Hardman et al. (Eds.), The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 9th ed. (141-160). New York: McGraw-Hill.

HOUGHTON, P. J., & BISSET, N. G. (1985). Drugs of ethno-origin. In D. C. Howell (Ed.), Drugs in central nervous system disorders. New York: Marcel Dekker.