title: Comparison of a specific HPLC determination of toxic aconite alkaloids in processed Radix aconiti with a titration method of total alkaloids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In traditional Chinese medicine, Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) roots are only applied after processing. Nevertheless, several cases of poisoning by improperly processed aconite roots have been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop a reliable analytical method to assess the amount of toxic aconite alkaloids in commercial aconite roots, and to compare this method with the commonly used total alkaloid content determination by titration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The content of mesaconitine, aconitine, and hypaconitine in 16 commercial samples of processed aconite roots was determined by an HPLC method and the total alkaloid content by indirect titration. Five samples were selected for in vivo toxicological investigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most of the commercial samples, toxic alkaloids were not detectable, or only traces were found. In four samples, we could detect >0.04% toxic aconite alkaloids, the highest with a content of 0.16%. The results of HPLC analysis were compared with the results obtained by titration, and no correlation was found between the two methods. The in vivo results reassured the validity of the HPLC determination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Samples with mesaconitine, aconitine, and hypaconitine content below the HPLC detection limit still contained up to 0.2% alkaloids determined by titration. Since titration of alkaloids gives no information selectively on the aconitine-type alkaloid content and toxicity of aconite roots this method is not appropriate for safety assessment. The HPLC method developed by us provides a quick and reliable assessment of toxicity and should be considered as a purity test in pharmacopoeia monographs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary. csupor.dezso@pharmacognosy.hu
authors.forename: Dezso
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Csupor
authors.forename: Botond
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Borcsa
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heydel
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hohmann
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zupkó
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Widowitz
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000157:Aconitine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D031841:Aconitum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000157:Aconitine