Anticholinergic, antimicrobial, and anticancer perspectives of atropine: a mini-review

Atropine metabolite as a tropane alkaloid is mainly applied as anticholinergic medication. Other therapeutic activities such as anticancer and antimicrobial effects have been found for this metabolite. Several side effects such as blurred vision, dryness of the mouth, dry eyes, confusion, photophobia, dizziness, tachycardia, fatigue, flushing, palpitations, urinary hesitance or retention, headache, constipation, nausea, and vomiting have been identified for this bioactive compound. Therefore, the reduction of these side effects is critical to obtain effective therapeutic activities of atropine in physiological conditions. Application of micro and nanoformulations and combination therapy may be desirable strategies. This mini-review has attempted to discuss both advantages and disadvantages of these novel strategies based on recent advances.