DUBOISIA Meaning and
Definition
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Duboisia refers to a genus of flowering plant belonging to the family Solanaceae, commonly known as the nightshade family. The term "Duboisia" is derived from the name of a French botanist Charles-François Dubois, who extensively studied plant species in the 18th century.
Plants of the Duboisia genus are primarily found in the Australasian region, particularly in Australia and Papua New Guinea. They are characterized by their perennial shrubby or small tree-like structure, growing up to several meters in height. The leaves of Duboisia plants are typically arranged alternately and exhibit various shapes, from lanceolate to elliptic, and possess a glossy texture. The flowers are usually small, white or pale yellow in color, and form clusters or panicles.
Duboisia plants contain several medicinal alkaloids, notably scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which have been utilized for centuries for their pharmacological properties. These alkaloids have anticholinergic effects, meaning they block certain neurotransmitters in the brain and peripheral nervous system. As a result, Duboisia plants have been used in traditional medicine to treat various conditions like asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, motion sickness, and as a sedative during surgical procedures.
Furthermore, Duboisia alkaloids have also found applications in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of medications such as antiemetics, antispasmodics, and mydriatics (agents that dilate the pupil). They are particularly valued for their ability to suppress excessive salivation and sweating, alleviate muscle spasms, and induce anaesthesia. Due to their pharmaceutical significance, Duboisia plants have been cultivated and propagated for commercial purposes, providing a valuable source of medicinal alkaloids for the production of therapeutic drugs.
Common Misspellings for DUBOISIA
- suboisia
- xuboisia
- cuboisia
- fuboisia
- ruboisia
- euboisia
- dyboisia
- dhboisia
- djboisia
- diboisia
- d8boisia
- d7boisia
- duvoisia
- dunoisia
- duhoisia
- dugoisia
- dubiisia
- dubkisia
- dublisia
Etymology of DUBOISIA
The word "Duboisia" is derived from the surname of French botanist and explorer Marquis François Dubois (1778-1846). Dubois was known for his contribution to the field of exploration and plant taxonomy, particularly in Australia. The genus Duboisia, which belongs to the Solanaceae family, was named in his honor by the botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré, who described and named several species of plants during his expedition with Louis de Freycinet on the Uranie from 1817 to 1820.
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