Question

Atropa belladonna, an important medicinal plant is of the family
A. Liliaceae
B. Cucurbitaceae
C. Cruciferae
D. Solanaceae

Answer 1

Hint: Ever since ancient times, medicinal plants, also referred to as medicinal herbs, have been found and used in traditional medicine practices. Hundreds of chemical compounds are synthesized by plants for tasks, including protection against bacteria, fungi, pathogens, and herbivorous mammals. These plants have therapeutic properties or deploy beneficial pharmacological effects on the human or animal body.

Complete answer:
Atropa belladonna is classified under the family Solanaceae and is commonly known as deadly nightshade or belladonna. It is a native plant in Western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Its distribution spreads in the west from Great Britain to western Ukraine and in the east from the Iranian province of Gilan. It is also introduced in certain parts of Canada and the United States. Belladonna is a toxic plant and has been used since ancient times as a remedy. It is called "Belladonna”, for the "beautiful ladies" of Renaissance Italy, who took it’s berry juice to extend their pupils, which they considered more tempting in their views. For decades in herbal medicine, Belladonna has been used as pain relief, muscle relaxer, and anti-inflammatory. It is used to treat menstrual disorders, histamine reactions, peptic ulcer disease, and motion sickness.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note:
Atropa belladonna’s berries and foliage are very toxic when swollen as they contain tropane and alkaloids. Only two berries of Belladonna can kill a child who eats them. These toxins cause delirium and hallucinations as they include atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine, and sometimes they are used as pharmaceutical anticholinergics.