Belladonna

Belladonna, also known as atropa belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Its roots, leaves and fruits contain Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine, and mostly, Atropine. These alkaloids are naturally-occurring muscarinic antagonists. Atropine is a non-selective muscarinic antagonist that is mainly used as an adjunct for anaesthesia. The name "belladonna" originates from the Italian words "beautiful woman" and the historical use of herb eye-drops by women to dilate the pupils of the eyes for aesthetic purposes. Belladonna is a poisonous plant and belladonna intoxication from accidental ingestion may result in a severe anticholinergic syndrome, which is associated with both central and peripheral manifestations .