• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.3 no.1_2
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 1988

Dose-dependent, immune modulatory effects of aconitine and heated aconitine were studied in mice. Mice, administered aconitine and heated aconitine intraperitoneally every other day for 4 weeks, were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells. Serum antibody titer, foot pad swelling and rosette forming cell number were measured to evaluate hurmoral and cell mediated immune responses. The results show that Humoral immune response was suppressed by aconitine 0.05 mg/kg and heated aconitine but increased by aconitine 0.10 mg/kg administration. Cell mediated immune response was suppressed in all groups. Especially heated aconitine administration significantly suppressed the cell mediated immune response. The number of peripheral circulating white blood cell was reduced by aconitine but was not affected by heated aconitine.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.366-371
• /
• 2004

Aconitine alkaloids produced from cell suspension cultures of Aconitum napellus for the first time. The effects of various culture conditions on cell biomass and aconitine accumulation in cell suspension cultures were investigated. Suspension cell cultures of A. napellus were established by transferring callus tissues from leaf explants onto liquid MS medium supplemented with $1\;mg/l$ NAA and $0.1\;mg/l$ kinetin. Among the culture media tested, MS medium had a pronounced effect on cell growth and aconitine accumulation. The maximum dry cell weight was obtained at inoculum size of 3 g (FCW) per flask and in MS medium supplemented with 5% sucrose after 8 weeks. The addition of salicylic acid (SA) and yeast extract (YE) in the MS medium enhanced aconitine accumulation. Using a proper combination of culture condition and supplements, aconitine content could reach 0.043% (dry weight basis), that was $2.5{\sim}3$ fold higher that detected in control cultures.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.243-247
• /
• 1999

After aconitine-type alkaloids have been isolated from the crude drug "Buza" as the precipitate, they could be identified with colour test, UV/Vis. absorption wavelength, TLC. The presence of aconitine-type alkaloids are confirmed by the reaction with the Reineke ion, $[Cr(NH_3)_2(SCN)_4]^{1+}$, and TCR ion, $[Co(SCN)4]^{2-}$, to produce the white precipitate or one of the containing from blue to yellowish blue. It is based on the formation of complex compounds by aconitine-type alkaloids with Reineke and TCR reagent. The method has been found to be simple, convenient and suitable for routine identification of aconitine-type alkaloids, related basic compounds, the crude drug "Buza" processed from the roots of certain Aconitum spp. plants(Ranunculaceae).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Aconitine is one of the toxic components of aconitum species. This study was carried out to evaluate gene expressions of herbal prescriptions containg aconitum species and oriental medicinal plants of aconitum species. Methods : We have measured gene expressions in the liver of aconitine, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Aconitum ciliare DC. Yong Ho Whan using Sprague-Dawley rat. Gene expression in rat liver has been analyzed using codelink 10k microarray. Results : 1. Genes up-regulated over than 4 fold were 118 and down-regulated less than 4 fold were 91 in aconitine 50 ${\mu}g/kg/day$ over control. 2. Genes up-regulated of over than 4 fold were 124 and down-regulated less than 4 fold were 98 in Aconitum ciliare DC. 4g/kg/day and 169 of over than 4 fold, and 110 of less than 4 fold for Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX. 4g/kg/day, respectively. 3. Regulated genes in treatment group of Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX, Aconitum ciliare DC. and aconitine was only 2 different genes, Sulfotransferase family 4A, member 1 and Lin-7 homolog b (C. elegans). Conclusions : Gene expression profiles in liver were different among aconitine, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Aconitum ciliare DC. and herbal prescription YongHo-whan. Furthermore, we can find many new genes related with effects of aconitum species.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 1990

Aconiti Tuber is the root of Aconitum sp (Ranunclaceae) which has been considered as one of the most important medicinal plant having cordiotonic, diuretic and analgesic effect. On the other hand, it has been known that Aconiti Tuber contained toxic agent, aconitine alkaloids so that only processed Aconiti Tubers have been used as herbal drug traditionally. For the safety evaluation of processed Aconiti Tuber, quantitative determination of aconitine and acute, subacute toxicity test were performed on 5 commercial processed Aconiti Tubers. Arapid and precise method using HPLC has been developed for the separation and determination of aconitine. Samples were extracted with hydrochloric acid (pH3) and hot water decoction. In case of d-HCL extracts, the contents of aconitine were from 0.08 mg/g to trace. But in case of hot water decoction extracts, the contents of aconitine were not detected. For the investigation of Aconiti Tuber toxicity in rats, hot water decoction samples and methanol extracts were tested. 1) Acute toxicity test Hot water decoction sample and methanol extracts from Aconiti Tuber did not show any toxic effects in rats by an oral administration. $LD_50values of 2 extracts were above 10.0 g/kg. 2) Subacute toxicity study In the repeated administration study, hot water decoction samples were given orally to Sprague-Dawlay rats for 2 week at daily doses of 5.0 g/kg. The results are as follows; No toxic manifestation, body weight changes and lethality were observed during wxperimental period. There were no significant changes in serum enzyme activities such as GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP between treated and control groups. However CPK values were decreased in the Subuja-treated group. (P<0.01). In addition, no gross and microscopic changes were noted in Aconiti Tuber-treated groups.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.157-161
• /
• 2004

We showed the effects of the traditional herbal medicine, Jukyeoondam-tang (JO-T, Zhu-ru-Wen-Dan-Tang in Chinese), on ventricular arrhythmia induced by aconitine. Electrophysiological experiments with conventional microelectrode techniques revealed that JO-T potently suppressed the aconitine-induced arrhythmias in ventricular strips of the rat. In the aconitine-induced arrhythmia model of the rat, pretreatment with JO-T $(100\;{\mu}g/ml)$ completely occluded the appearance of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) induced by aconitine. Furthermore, the aconitine-induced ventricular arrhythmia was occluded by $Na^+$ channel blocker quinidine but was not occluded by $K^+$ channel blocker glibenclamide $(3\;{\mu}mol/L)\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker nifedipine $(10\;{\mu}mol/L)$. We also confirmed the effect of JO-T in the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced arrhythmia model of the rat. JO-T did not affect the I/R-induced arrhythmias in rats. JO-T may alleviate the risk of ventricular arrhythmias following aconitine. These results suggest that JO-T is a potent antiarrhythmic drug having a$Na^+$ channel-blocking action.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.104-109
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Unrefined tablets prepared from Aconitum tubers are occasionally used in Korean folk medicine. This study defines the potential sources, clinical toxicology, and treatment of aconitine poisoning. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted in 63 patients in the ED of a tertiary University Hospital with suspected toxicity from an unrefined tablet prepared from Aconitum tubers from 1999 to 2007. Results: A total of 63 cases enrolled included 26 men and 37 women, aged 30 to 86 years. Forty-eight patients ingested aconitine tablets as digestives, 26 tablets on average. After a latent period of 30 to 450 minutes, patients developed a combination of neurologic (87.3%), gastrointestinal (82.5%), cardiopulmonary (41.3%), and other (28.6%) features typical of aconitine poisoning. Initial ECG abnormalities revealed dysrhythmia (61.9%), conduction disturbance (42.9%), and abnormal waveforms (39.7%), with 28.6% of patients having normal ECGs. All patients received supportive treatment or close observation regardless of ingestion amounts. Patients with hypotension or ventricular arrhythmia were treated with inotropic agents or amiodarone. Conclusion: Toxicologic signs and symptoms can occur after the consumption of aconitine tablets, regardless of ingestion amount. The risk occurs because of inadequately processed aconitine roots. This study will provide important data for public education and distribution regulations for Aconitum sp. in Korea.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 2001

Aconitine has much Heat and Toxicity in its property, so many consideration is needed during its use. And there are many contraindications of its use. In the book of Dongyisusebowon, it has to be used when Soeumin has extreme Cold accompanied by Heat of deficiency type. In this case report, a 84 year-old male patient who had taken drugs containing Aconitine had severe Yin-Deficiency-Midday-Fever(陰虛午熱). And he had been treated with Sukjiwhanggosamtang(熟地黃苦參湯) and Dokwhaljiwhangtang(獨活地黃湯). Four conclusions can be made through this case. 1. Soyangin(少陽人) patients may have many side effects or adverse effects when they take drugs containing Aconitine even at a little volume. 2. Soyangin may have chest discomfort when they are constipated. This patient also complained chest discomfort after stroke and toxicosis of Aconitine. 3. Between Sukjiwhanggosamtang(熟地黃苦參湯) and Dokwhaljiwhangtang(獨活地黃湯), Sukjiwhanghosamtang is more effective for this patient who has been skin psoriasis and lower diabetes(下消) for a long time. 4. Although Sukjiwhanghosamtang does not include any antidote drug of Aconitine, it may be used only when defferenciation of symdrome is proper on Sasang Constituional Medicine.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.180-186
• /
• 2006

The various species of aconitum contain diterpene (C-20) and norditerpene (C-19) forms of the natural alkaloid aconitine that cause neurologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular symptoms. In chinese medicine, these plants has been used as drugs to treat pain, dyspepsia, cerebrovascular disease, and so on. Because the therapeutic window is narrow, poisoning may occur from unintentional exposure, with a variety of toxic effects such as arrhythmia, hypotension, paresthesia, paralysis, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Aconitine-containing folk remedies are widely used in Korea. We encountered two cases of ventricular arrhythmia in patients who ingested tablets, known as 'Wha-Pung-Dan' made with aconitine extracts and were subsequently admitted to the ED. A 42 year-old man who took 35 tablets presented with ventricualr tarchycardia, and 40 year-old woman who took 40 tablets showed premature ventricular contractions. Both patients were discharged normally without any complications after three days.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.199-201
• /
• 1975

In order to investigate the effect of aconitine upon the parasympathetic innervation, the isolated rabbit duodenal preparation pretreated with atropine and tetrodotoxin were observed. The results obtained in this work were summerized as follows: 1. The excitatory response was evoked by the administration of aconitine ($100{\mu}g/ml$). 2. The contraction was blocked by the pretreatment with atropine ($10{\mu}g/ml$). 3. The contraction was completely blocked by the pretreatment with tetrodotoxin($10{\mu}g/ml$). These experimental evidences indicate that the excitatory response by aconitine is due to the parasympathetic nerves.