Botany
Talong-punay is a coarse, erect, branched, smooth or slightly hairy shrub or short-lived shrub, 0.5 to 2 meters high. Leaves are single, ovate to oblong-ovate, 9 to 18 centimeters long, with inequilateral base, pointed tip and irregularly and shallowly lobed margins. Flowers are white or nearly purple, axillary and solitary, with a large ovary. Calyx is green, about 6 centimeters long, cleft at the apex, cylindric and divided into linear teeth. Corolla is white, about 15 centimeters long and the mouth about 8 centimeters in diameter, trumpet-shaped when fully opened. Stamens are 5, stigma 2-fid. Fruits are rounded capsules, green, about 3.5 centimeters in diameter and covered with stout, short spines, dehiscing at the apex when ripe forming an irregular suture. Seeds are numerous, closely packed, nearly smooth, and pale brown.

Distribution
- In open, waste places in and about settlements, throughout the settled areas in the Philippines.
- Also cultivated also for ornamental purposes.
- Native of tropical Asia.
- Now pantropic in distribution.

Parts utilized
Leaves, seeds and flowers.
Collect newly opened flowers and sun-dry.

Constituents
• Yields tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine, scopolamine, anisodamine and anisodine.
• Flowers - Scopolamine, 0.5%; hyoscyamine, 0.04%; atropine, 0.01%.
• Leaves: Total alkaloid content is 0.426%, mainly as atropine and small amount of hyoscyamine.
• Seeds contain 0.426% alkaloid, mainly hyoscyamine.
• Roots: contain 0.35% hyoscyamine.
• Phytochemical screening of seeds yielded tannins, phlobatanins, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates and flavonoids.
• A 50% ethanol eluate fraction of a macroporous resin of the flower isolated a new compound, yangjinhualin A and five known megastigmane sesquiterpenes. (14)
• Screening of leaves yielded alkaloids and steroids, with an absence of saponins and flavonoids. The concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+ and PO3- were found to be (4.28±0.05)×104, 4 (3.86±0.009) ×104, (2.33±0.007)×104 and (4.65±0.06)×104 ppm respectively. (see study below) (25)
• Methanol extract of whole plant isolated seven compounds viz., pterodontriol B (1), disciferitriol (2), scopolamine (3), adenosine (4), thymidine (5), ilekudinoside C (6), and dioscoroside D (7). (37)
• Study of methanol extract of flowers isolated 10 new withanolides, withametelins I-P (1-8), 1,10-seco-withametelin B (9), and 12ß-hydroxy-1,10-seco-withametelin B (10), together with seven known withanolides. (see study below) (39)

Properties
- Bitter tasting.
- Considered anesthetic, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, hallucinogenic, hypnotic.
- Leaves and seeds considered abortifacient.
- Plant as a whole has narcotic, anodyne, and antispasmodic properties analogous to those of belladonna.
- Dried seeds are considered a more powerful soporific than the leaves.
- Plant has long bee noted for it intoxicating and narcotic properties. An overdose causes a violent narcotic poisoning.
- Studies have suggested antiasthmatic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, spasmogenic, anti-inflammatory, antigout, insecticidal, antifertility properties.

Uses
Edibility
· In Brazil, seeds used for tea making. (32) (see toxicity below)
Folkloric
· Leaves used a lot in resolutive and mitigant poultices. Smoked like stramonium in cases of dyspnea produced by asthma. Seeds and roots have the same uses; some considered the seeds to be more potent.
· Asthma: get dried leaves and stems, cut into small slices and mix with equal quantity of tobacco and roll into a cigarette and smoke 2 to 3 times a day.
· Muscle pains and cramps due to rheumatism: get drug, boil and obtain a concentrated decoction. Wash the painful parts with the warm decoction.
· Gastric pain: use 0.3 gm of dried material in decoction.
· Sprains, contusions, snakebites, piles: use pounded fresh leaves and apply over afflicted areas.
· Severe cold accompanied by excessive sneezing similar to hay fever symptoms: use powdered seeds (0.1 gm) in pills or loose.
· Psoriasis: use the oil prepared by boiling Datura seeds with sesame (linga) oil in an alkaline water made from ashes of gabi. For the preparation of the alkaline water, simply dissolve the white ashes of gabi in water.
· For rheumatic swelling of the joints, lumbago, painful tumors, nodes, etc., the plant is applied locally as poultice of leaves, epithem, fomentation or liniment.
· Leaves applied as anodyne poultice to inflamed breasts, or to check excessive secretion of milk. A paste made from turmeric and datura fruit is also useful for the same.
· Leaves boiled in oil, or the oil itself, is a useful application for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and other rectal diseases associated with tenesmus.
· Juice of leaves administered internally for the prevention of gonorrhea.
· Leaves steeped in spirits used to stimulate hair growth.
· Heated leaves applied to the spleen for intermittent fever.
· Malays used the leaves for boils, leg sores, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, swollen joints, and fish bites. Heated leaves also used enlarged spleen and swollen testicles.
· Juice of ears dropped inside the ear for earaches.
· Ointment of seeds used for smallpox.
· Flowers digested in wine used as an anesthetic tincture.
· Lotion made from the flowers used for facial eruptions and feet swellings.
· In Cambodia, coconut oil is heated inside the fruit capsule, and the juice, with the oil, is squeezed into the ear.
· Plant used as an indigenous substitute for belladonna in the treatment of cataract and other eye diseases. Mydriatic potency has been reported - the watery extract of leaves is applied around the eyes causing dilatation for two days. Also, dilatation may be achieved through an alcoholic extract of the seeds in four ounces of spirits, the tincture evaporated to dryness in a water bath, and the residue dissolved in an ounce of water.
· Roasted leaves applied to the eyes for ophthalmia.
· Powdered roots are rubbed on the gums for toothache.
· Roots used for the bites of wild dogs.
· Pill made from pounded seeds placed on decayed teeth to relieve toothaches.
· Roots boiled in milk and administered with clarified butter and treacle for insanity.
· Seeds pounded in oil used as embrocation in rheumatism; also applied to syphilitic swellings and boils.
· In Konkan, plant juice is given with fresh curds for intermittent fevers.
· In India, used for hysteria, insanity, diarrhea, asthma, skin diseases. For epilepsy, seeds of ripe fruit are burned and the smoke inhaled. Seeds used in small doses as analgesic.
· In China, used for asthma; the dried leaves are rolled and smoked like a cigar. Dried flowers used for as anesthetic and prescribed for the treatment of asthma, cough, and convulsions.
· In Ayurvedic medicine, seeds used to treat skin rashes, ulcers, bronchitis, jaundice and diabetes (32)
· In Brazil, used for making tea for its sedative effect. Flowers are dried and smoked as cigarettes. (32)
· In Vietnam, dried flowers and leaves cut into small chips and smoked as cigarettes for asthma. (32)
· In Bangladesh, leaves of D. metel, Zizyphus mauritiana, Calotropis gigantea, and bark of Terminalia arjuna are cut in pieces, boiled in water, then applied to paralyzed portions of the body 3-4 times a day, and daily till cure. (40)
Tincture preparation
· Tincture may be prepared by macerating two and a half ounces of bruised datura seeds in one pint of proof spirits, and left for seven days in a closed vessel, occasionally shaking it, and the mixture eventually pressed, filtered, and measured, and sufficient spirit proof added to make one pint. The tincture induces sedative and narcotic effects similar to opium.
Leaf extract preparation
· 100 grams of fresh leaves are crushed in a mortar to soften the leaves; add 5 liters of water to the crushed leaves; and sieve after 3 days. (see study below) (29)
Others
· Hallucinogenic: Used as a ritualistic herb for its hallucinogenic effects. In Nigeria, decoction of leaves or fruits added to drinks to achieve a "high," as a substitute for marijuana. It has been reported that the Moros intoxicated themselves with the plant before committing their massacres. (•)
· Poison: In India and Indo-China, reportedly used quite commonly with criminal intent. In China, often mixed with tea that hides the poison without raising suspicion.

Toxicity / Poisoning !
• All plant parts are poisonous. It contains tropanic alkaloids in varying concentrations; mostly parasympatholytic.
• Even a small dose is very poisonous because of the toxic tropane alkaloid or the presence of anticholinergic substances (scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine), which can cause neural toxicity. (32)
• In the Bicol area, reports of abuse by smoking an herbal cigarette of dried leaves and lightly fried seeds resulted in permanent mental and behavioral problems.
• Common side effects: tachycardia (fast heart beat), slight increase in blood pressure, dryness of the mouth and eyes, sedation.
• Early symptoms of poisoning are dilatation of the pupil, drowsiness, general weakness, with varying degrees of hallucinations.
• At toxic levels, tropanic alkaloids can cause hallucinations, delirium, mental confusion, coma and death.
• Excessive doses can cause hallucinations, severe intoxication and death. The window of toxic and medicinal dose is quite small.
• With medium doses, recovery can occur in 12 to 24 hours, however, with loss of memory and confusion that may last for days.

Studies
• Anti-asthmatic: Quisumbing's compilation describes a mechanism for the plant's anti-asthmatic effect. Asthma relief is attributed to depression or paralysis of the receptive mechanism of the parasympathetic nerves in the bronchi (a known action of solanaceous alkaloids), an effect confirmed by the relaxation produced by the alkaloidal extract from the smoke, on an isolated intercartilaginous portion of a bronchial ring previously contracted by pilocarpine. When smoke is inhaled, it is possible the sticky, resinous substance may help by coating the mucosa and thus lessening the bronchial irritation. (•) Study evaluated the potential of Datura metel in controlling immune response and ameliorating the asthma in a mice model. Results showed potential of D. metel in ameliorating asthma symptoms by promoting naive T cell development and reducing activated T. cells. (35)
• Hypoglycemic / Antihyperglycemic: Study of seed powder of DM produced significant dose-dependent reduction of blood glucose. (3)
• Cytotoxic Withanolides: Study on methanol extract of flowers of DM isolated 10 new withanolides with seven known withanolides. Compounds 1,3,4 and 6 exhibited cytotoxic activities against lung, gastric and leukemia cancer cell lines. (4)
• Antimycotic: Study showed the chloroform fraction of Datura metel to be endowed with antifungal activity against all three species of Aspergillus, i.e., A fumigatus, A flavus and A niger. However, the cytotoxicity of the chloroform fraction was less than amphotericin B.
• Antifungal: Study of root and shoot extracts showed significant suppression of growth of the target fungal pathogen, Ascochyta rabiei, the cause of chickpea blight disease.
• Herbicidal / Roots and Shoots: Study showed the root and shoot extracts of Datura metel contain herbicidal constituents. The extracts exhibited activity against Phalaris minor Retz., one of the most problematic weeds of wheat in Pakistan. (7)
• Toxicity Studies: Suspensions of powdered leaf of Datura metel and D stramonium on virgin female albino mice showed dose dependent reversible and irreversible changes. Generally, D metel-treated mice showed less anatomical abnormalities than D stramonium-treated mice and suggests D metel could serve as a substitute for D stramonium in drug development. (8)
• Antibacterial / Alkaloid: A new antibacterial agent was isolated from Datura metel leaves with activity against S aureus, P aeruginosa, P mirabilis, S typhi, B subtilis and K pneumonia. Results support its use in phytomedicine for the treatment of asthma, cough, burns and wound healing in Nigeria. (9)
• Deleterious Frontal Cortex Effect: A study of aqueous leaf extract in adult Wistar rats caused deleterious effects on the frontal cortex of adult albino Wistar rats, with dose-depended vacuolations in the stroma of the brains of treatment group. (11)
• Sedation / Decreased Appetite: A study of seed extract for analgesic activity showed insignificant results. The study showed a behavioral pattern of sedation and decreased appetite on administration of the seed extract, attributed to action on u-type receptors in the CNS, which on stimulation have an intrinsic potential to reduce the distress or the effective component of pains without any significant change in the intensity of the actual sensation.
• Antimicrobial / Alkaloid: In a study screening 17 different coastal medicinal plants for antibacterial and antifungal activity , Datura metel showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity against many fish pathogens. Results suggested DM can be used as a putative antimicrobial drug in the aquaculture maintenance.
• Spasmogenic: Study of D. metel leaf and root extracts, scopolamine and acetylcholine on isolated smooth muscle preparations. Leaf extract and scopolamine showed antispasmodic effects while the root extract and acetylcholine cause contracture in isolated rat uterus and rectum whole muscle. Results suggest a spasmogenic factor in the DM root extract.
• Antioxidant: Study the aqueous extract contained more phytochemical compounds than ethanol extracts. Antioxidant activities were higher in the plant leaf than the bark. Results suggest the plant as a natural source of antioxidants and phytochemical quality for antibacterial effectiveness. (15)
• Antimicrobial: Study evaluated aerial parts of Datura metel for antimicrobial activity against resistant pathogens of aquatic, human and plant origin. Results showed antimicrobial property and potential for use in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant pathogenic organisms. (17)
• Anesthetic / Seeds: Study evaluated a methanolic extract of D. metel seeds as a potential oral anesthetic in dogs. Extract induced surgical anesthesia in dogs with recovery without complications. Results showed the seed extract to be relatively safe, inducing sleep similar to thiopentone sodium. (18)
• Flower Components / Antimicrobial: Study of methanol extracts of D. metel flowers yielded four compounds. Components identified as acetic acid, trifluoro-, 2,2-dimethylpropyl ester, 4- Trifluoroacetoxyoctane and 1,4-Cyclohexadiene, 1- methyl- have antimicrobial property. (19)
• Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel: Study evaluated the corrosion inhibition potential of D. metel in acid medium on mild steel. Results showed significant corrosion inhibitive effect, probably through adsorption of phytoconstituents. (20)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of leaves of D. metel. Results suggest considerable activity and suggests in vivo studies. (21)
• Anti-Gout / Antiarthritis / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study of a methanolic extract of D. metel showed more than 50% xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity in vitro, comparable to standard anti-gout medicine, allopurinol. It also showed in vivo hypouricemic activity against potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia in mice. (22)
• Anti-Cancer / MCF-7 Cell Line: Study evaluated a methanolic extract of Datura metel for anticancer activity against MCF-7 cell line. Results showed a leaf extract to have remarkable anticancer activity. Isolation of the compound contributing to the activity has a potential for a novel and natural phytomedicine for the disease. (23)
• Bio-Pesticidal: Study evaluated solvent extracts of Datura metel against larvae of gram pod-borer Heicoverpa armigera. The most active was the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract, with a significant potential for use as a bio-pesticide for the control of destructive polyphagous agricultural pest—H. armigera. (24)
• Insecticide / Leaves / Red Ants and Grasshoppers: Study evaluated the leaf of Datura metel for acute toxicity at varying concentrations on grasshoppers and red ants. Study showed a statistically significant dose dependent decrease in the survival rate and an increase in the percentage mortality of red ants and grasshoppers in the presence of Datura metel. (see constituents above) (25)
• Antifertility / Seeds: Study evaluated crude acetone extracts of seeds of Datura metel in female albino mouse for antifertility activity. A 2% seeds extract caused anti-implantation activity, and suggests a potential good source of antifertility compounds with minimal side effects after testing in human models. (26)
• Mineral Composition / Phytomonitor Potential: Study evaluated the mineral compositions of leaf, seed, and flower of D. metel. Results yielded 12 elements including Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, Zn, Fe, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and Al. Leaves were minerally richer than seed and flower counterparts. Datura metel was found tolerant for Co and Ni and may be used as phytomonitor for these elements in the soil. (27)
• Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Property / Withanolides: Study showed the acetylcholnesterase inhibitory properties of Datura metel is due to the presence of withanolides. The methanolic extracts showed more significant dose-dependent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. (28)
• Anti-Termite / Datura: Study evaluated the efficacy of extracts from Datura metel, local soap and garlic in the management of Macrotermes belicosus. The synthetic insecticide, chlorpyrifos 0.1%, was used as control. In the laboratory, all the treatments had 75% - 100% repellence value with 100% mean insect mortality. On the field, only D. metel and chlorpyrifos were effective in preventing upsurge and rebuilding of termitaria. Results suggest an eco-friendly botanical potential for the management of termites in the field. (see leaf extract preparation above) (29)
• Hallucinogenic / Seeds: Study evaluated the hallucinogenic effect of aqueous seed extract of D. metel in male wistar rats. Treated groups exhibited some behavioral changes: restlessness, aggressiveness, agitation, and disorientation, with significant decrease in food and water intake. Results validate the action of D. metel on the central and peripheral nervous system. The hallucinogenic effect may be due to the presence of the alkaloid scopolamine. (30)
• Withametellins / Alkaloids / Cytotoxicity Against Cancer Cell Lines / Flowers: MTT analysis of methanol extract of flowers yielded withametelins I-P, 12-ß-hydroxy-1,10-seco-withametelin B, and 1,10-seco-withmetelin B. Withametelins I, K, L, and N exhibited cytotoxic activities against A549 (lung), BGC-823 (gastric), and K562 (leukemia) cancer cell lines, with IC50s ranging from 0.05 to 3.5 µM. Withamilin J exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against BGC-823 and K 562. (see constituents above) (32) (39)
• Neuro-Toxicological Effects / Leaves: Use of leaves have been reported to cause adverse alteration in behavior. Study evaluated the acute neuro-toxicological effects of aqueous-methanol extracts of D. metel on total locomotive activity, motor coordination and spatial memory in Y-maze in mice. The leaves extract caused neuro-toxicological effects in mice characterized by sedation and hypokinesia motor coordination impairment and disruption of short-term memory. The oral LD50 was greater than 2000 mg/kbw. (33)
• Bioefficacy Against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides / Leaves: Study Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the most damaging disease causing reduction of flower set and yield losses in mango. Study evaluated the antifungal activity of various extracts Datura metel leaves against C. gloeosporioides. The chloroform fraction showed the best inhibition of the fungus. GC-MS analysis identified bioactive constituents i.e., n-hexadecanoic acid, phytol, octadecanoic acid, oleic acid, o-xylene, and cyclohexanol. (34)
• Anti-Rabies / Seed: Study evaluated soxhlet and cold extracts of Datura metel fruit and seed extract for anti-viral activity against the rabies virus. In vitro cytotoxicity assay was done using 3-(4,5-dimethyl- thiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The Datura seed extract showed potential in vitro antirabies activity. Study suggests further screening for in vivo activity against rabies virus in a murine model. (36)

Availability
- Wild-crafted. 
- Seeds in the cybermarket.