Yavani (Hyoscyamus niger)

Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane) is not consumed as a food or nutritional supplement due to its significant toxicity; therefore, a standard nutritional profile (macronutrients, fiber, vitamins, minerals) is not clinically relevant. Its pharmacological importance lies entirely in its bioactive alkaloid content. Key Bioactive Compounds: • Hyoscyamine — primary tropane alkaloid, typically 0.04–0.16% of dry leaf weight; acts as a potent anticholinergic/parasympatholytic agent. • Scopolamine (Hyoscine) — second major tropane alkaloid, approximately 0.01–0.06% of dry leaf weight; responsible for sedative and antiemetic properties. • Atropine — present in smaller quantities (racemic form of hyoscyamine), arising partly through racemization during extraction; concentration variable, usually <0.05%. • Minor alkaloids — traces of tropine, cuscohygrine, and other tropane derivatives. • Flavonoids — including rutin and quercetin glycosides in minor concentrations (~0.1–0.5%), contributing modest antioxidant activity. • Volatile oils — present in trace amounts in seeds and leaves, not well characterized quantitatively. • Fatty acids (seeds) — seeds contain approximately 15–25% fixed oil, predominantly linoleic acid (~55–65%), oleic acid (~20–25%), and palmitic acid (~8–12%). Bioavailability Notes: Tropane alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine) are rapidly and efficiently absorbed via oral, dermal, and mucosal routes, with high bioavailability (estimated >80% oral absorption for hyoscyamine). They readily cross the blood-brain barrier, particularly scopolamine, which accounts for pronounced CNS effects. Critical Safety Note: All parts of the plant are toxic. The therapeutic index is extremely narrow — therapeutic and lethal doses are dangerously close. Alkaloid concentrations vary significantly by plant part (leaves: 0.04–0.16%; seeds: 0.06–0.10%; roots: 0.04–0.08%), growing conditions, and harvest time, making standardized dosing unreliable without pharmaceutical-grade extraction.