Phytochemistry and medicinal properties of Mandragora officinarum: A review

Abstract

Mandragora officinarum (MO) is thought to be one of the magical herbs since classical period. The plant belongs to Solanaceae family and popular in Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs and Hebrews. Earlier, it was believed that the plant has evil power. Different ethnic groups worked closely to establish its profound benefits in traditional medical field. After thorough research on this plant, it was found that the plant has several medicinal properties and has powerful intoxicating nature. Even it is familiar for its narcotic and anesthetic characteristics. Not only that the plant can be used in hallucination, mania, delirium and can relief certain joint pains and acts as a healing agent. It's diversified phytochemistry consisting of alkaloid, nonalkaloids and some sugars. The current article demonstrates its several pharmacological benefits such as narcosis, anesthetic, aphrodisiac, natural healer and hallucinating quality along with its different phytochemical constituent like apotropine, hyoscyamine, cuscohygrine, scopolamine, belladonine, some sugars.

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International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Research
5
Phytochemistry and medicinal properties of Mandragora officinarum: A review
Kanzil Mowla Mou1, Most. Nazma Parvin2, Pritesh Ranjan Dash3*
1 Department of Pharmacy, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2 Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3 Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abstract
Mandragora officinarum (MO) is thought to be one of the magical herbs since classical period. The plant belongs to Solanaceae family
and popular in Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs and Hebrews. Earlier, it was believed that the plant has evil power. Different ethnic groups
worked closely to establish its profound benefits in traditional medical field. After thorough research on this plant, it was found that the
plant has several medicinal properties and has powerful intoxicating nature. Even it is familiar for its narcotic and anesthetic
characteristics. Not only that the plant can be used in hallucination, mania, delirium and can relief certain joint pains and acts as a healing
agent. It’s diversified phytochemistry consisting of alkaloid, nonalkaloids and some sugars. The current article demonstrates its several
pharmacological benefits such as narcosis, anesthetic, aphrodisiac, natural healer and hallucinating quality along with its different
phytochemical constituent like apotropine, hyoscyamine, cuscohygrine, scopolamine, belladonine, some sugars.
Keywords: Mandragora officinarum, Phytoconstituents, aphrodisiac, surgical anesthetic
Introduction
Mandragora officinarum (MO) is one of the more mysterious and
less explored plants from the ancient period [1]. Locally the plant
is well known as mandrake [2]. Basically, the word Mandragora
has been derived from the Greek word known as “hurtful to
cattle”. In arabic it is called “Satan’s apple”. There are many
species available for the Mandragora genus, i.e. M. acaulis, M.
autumnalis, M. caulescens, M. officinarum, M. turcomanica, and
M. vernalis [3]. However, among all six species, only two (M.
officinarum and M. turcomanica) were explored extensively in
terms of their chemical constituents. Another two like (M.
vernalis and M. autumnalis) were just evaluated superficially not
in depth. Rest two were remained totally untouched. Thus,
researcher might focus intensively to identify many of the
pharmacological benefits of the Mandragora specifies. Some of
the general properties of this include as hallucinogenic, healing,
fertility enhancer. The plant has intoxicating nature as well as
known to have aphrodisiac properties. It can be also utilized for
having its narcotic characteristics4. Furthermore, it is well known
as surgical anesthetic.The present study summarizes the history,
phytochemical constituents, toxicological effect and
pharmacological benefit of Mandragora officinarum with its
enormous medical blessings/ advancement around the globe.
History
Mandrake is a medium sized plant with approximately 90 genera
and 3000-4000 species [5]. It is a variable perennial herbal plant
with an extended thick root, usually branched. It has almost no
stem, and therefore the elliptical or simpleleaves that modify long
are borne during a basal rosette. The flowers seem from season
to spring. They are light-green white to blue or violet. In diameter
these are near about two inches. The fruit forms in late season to
early summer. The berry is yellow or orange and resembles
atomato. The mandrake is toxic, particularly the roots and leaves
which can be because of tropane alkaloids [6]. The young plants
had a thick tapering root like as parsnip which may go down in
the ground for a distance of two or more. Whenever it gets
mature, the shape of the roots turns into more bulbous.
Distribution
The plant has for hundreds of years been native to several of the
mediterranean countries, including Spain, Crete, Sicily, Asian
country and North Africa, although apparently to not Egypt7.
Mandrakes were found within the spot of King Tut-ankh-amen,
and should consequently are foreigninto the country, little
question from Asian country. within the fifth century B.C. it
absolutely was mentioned by Hippocrates, and at the start of the
epoch it absolutely was enclosed by dioscorides in his list of toxic
herbs.
a) Plant
International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Research
www.pharmacognosyjournals.com
Online ISSN: 2664-7176; Print ISSN: 2664-7168
Received: 02-11-2018; Accepted: 03-12-2018
Volume 1; Issue 1; January 2019; Page No. 05-09

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b) Root
`
c) Juice
Toxonomical class
Binomial Name: Mandragora officinarum L.
Scientific class:
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom: Streptophyta
Superdivision: Embryophyta
Division: Tracheophyta
Subdivision: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Superorder: Asteranae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Mandragora L.
Species: Mandragora officinarum L
Synonyms
Atropa acaulis Stokes, Atropa humilis Salisb. Atropa mandragora
L., nom. illeg., Mandragora acaulis Gaertn., Mandragora
autumnalis Bertol., Mandragora foemina Garsault, Mandragora
haussknechtii Heldr., Mandragora hispanica Vierh., Mandragora
mas Garsault, Mandragora microcarpa Bertol., Mandragora
neglecta G. Don ex Loudon, Mandragora praecox Sweet,
Mandragora vernalis Bertol.
Vernacular names
Soudi-Arab: Master of the life breath, Love Apple, Mad Apple;
Sweden: Alrune; Egypt: Apemum; Rome: Ciceron; Russia: Trava
Phytochemical composition
Although Mandrake plant has profound medicinal benefits and
the root of the plants is extensively utilized as traditional
ailments, however its phytochemistry is still unexplored.
Scientists are not confident to work on any particular compound
that is responsible to show the pharmacological effects [8]. Even
from time to time Mandagora officinarum was analyzed but there
is some controversy always. Afterwards, scientist began to
explore two species of Mandrake i.e. M. autumnalis and M.
officinarum L. to distinguish the constituents. Primarily, the roots
and rhizomes are the basic interest of the analysis [9]. From
analysis it is evident that mostly alkaloid compounds like
hyoscyamine, cuscohygine, apoatropine and 3a-
tigloyloxytropane are present in both species. In root belladonine
was also detected and reported. Some non-alkaloids are also
identified such as sitosterol and beta-methylesculetin and have
reported presence of four free sugars, namely rhamnose, glucose,
fructose and sucrose [10]. Even though this work did not
demonstrate any distinctions in the constituents between two
Mandragora species roots, it yielded data of significant
enthusiasm for the more extensive chemotaxonomic field inside
the family Solanaceae. Among these genera, it is just a single
other, in particular scopolia, in which the presence of both tropic
and tiglic corrosive esters has been accounted. Moreover, Daturae
and Salpiglossideae, are incorporated several other genera in
which both types of esters found. Below table enlisted some of
the important chemical constituents that exerts basically the
medicinal benefits:
Table 1: Different chemical constituents of Mandragora officinarum
SL.
No.
Name of the
Constituents
Chemical Structure
Alkaloids
01
Hyoscyamine
02
Cuscohygine

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03
Apoatropine
04
3a-
tigloyloxytropane
05
Belladonine
Non-Alkaloids
01
Sitosterol
02
Beta-
methylesculetin
Sugars
01
Rhamnose
02
Glucose
03
Fructose

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04
Sucrose
Pharmacological properties
From ancient time, the medicinal quality of Mandrake plant has
drawn the attention of many researchers to treat many of the
symptoms even in remote place. However, this sector was
thought to be untouched and suspicious, thus little work has been
conducted11. Although the amount of research performed to
demonstrate its medicinal properties, still some of the worthy
evidence has been established showing the blessing of different
parts of mandrake plant. Mandrake is well known to exert its
narcotic properties throughout its usage period since ancient
Greece and Rome period. Additionally, it has intoxicating
properties [12]. However, it is not shown to engage as a purgative
or an emetic at all. Actually, the narcotic properties of the plant
are rendered through its fruit which can be considered to have a
love-charm. Even its narcotic constituents were such that when
consume excessively, it may lead to some of the adverse effects
like nausea, rigor and general malaise. Alternatively, its root has
vigorous potency to exhibit narcosis [13]. Another important
property of the plant is that it can be considered as potent
stimulant for venery by barren women. The root of mandrake was
found to enhance the fertility in women and placed on the body
or in clothing as a talisman. The plant can be used to facilitate
pregnancy in sterile women and there is a thinking likewise it may
balance hormone constituency of the blood. The mandrake plant
is also familiar and known for its magic, aphrodisiac properties
and its fruit is called love apples [14]. Moreover, the crushed root
of mandrake plant was possessed hallucinations which may cause
death like trance and sleep. The root may also cause insanity as
well as can be used in flying potion. Another worthy blessing of
mandrake is that it can be employed as a surgical anesthetic. Over
many years this anesthetic and soporific properties of mandrake
has been discussed. Some of the other medicinal properties of
mandrake was noted and found that little amount of mandrake
infusion can potentially change the numbness of the tongue,
dryness of mouth, confusion vision, restlessness and exaggerated
sensitivity to sounds. Considering these findings, it was claimed
that if alkaloid constituents can be isolated from the plant it can
be potentially used as anesthetic and thus can be superseded
atropine as a mydriatic [15].
a) Medicinal Properties
b) Phytochemical composition
Toxicological evaluation
Mandragora officinarum is very poisonous. Its toxicity is
extreme in cases of plant ingestion. Some of the toxicological side
effects include vomiting, diarrhea, slowing of heartbeat and
death. Mandragora species contains extremely biologically active
alkaloids, tropane alkaloids particularly. Approximately eighty
substances are identified among which 37 are explored in.
Alkaloids are found within the contemporary plant or the dried
root enclosed antispasmodic, poisonous substance, hyoscine
(hyoscine), scopine, cuscohygrine, apoatropine, 3-alpha-
tigloyloxytropane, 3-alpha,6-beta-ditigloyloxytropane and
belladonnines. Non-alkaloid constituents included sitosterol and
beta-methylesculetin (scopoletin) [10, 16].

International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Research
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The alkaloids create the plant, particularly the foundation and
leaves, poisonous, via anticholinergic, psychoactive, and
hypnotic effects. Anticholinergic properties will result in
asphyxiation. Ingesting root is probably going to own different
adverse effects like innate reflex and diarrhaea. The organic
compound concentration varies between plant samples, and
accidental poisoning is probably going to occur. Clinical reports
of the results of consumption of herb (as asterid dicot genus
autumnalis) embrace severe symptoms like those of
antispasmodic poisoning, together with blurred vision, dilation of
the pupils (mydriasis), waterlessness of the mouth, issue in
urinating, dizziness, headache, vomiting, blushful and a fast pulse
(tachycardia). upset and hallucinations conjointly occurred
within the majority of patients.
Conclusion
The present article revealed numerous medicinal properties of
Mandragora officinarum that could help in several medical
ailments. In addition to that the focus of the study is to enlist
several chemical constituents which actually exerts diversified
pharmacological effects to different diseases. Although different
compounds have been isolated from the Mandrake plant, it is
difficult to confirm the medicinal properties according to its
constituents. However, it seems like the alkaloid compounds can
exhibit many of the pharmacological effects. Hence, scientists
have still open field to explore the blessing of the plants more
extensively.
Acknowledgement: Authors are grateful to Jahangirnagar
University, Department of Pharmacy, Savar, and Dhaka,
Bangladesh, for providing the necessary facility to carry out the
study.
Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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