title: Aconite poisoning following the percutaneous absorption of Aconitum alkaloids.
abstract: In vitro experiment using the modified Franz-type diffusion cell has demonstrated that the human skin is permeable to aconitine and mesaconitine. To characterise the risk of systemic toxicity following the topical applications of aconite tincture and raw aconite roots, relevant reports of percutaneous absorption of Aconitum alkaloids and aconite poisoning are reviewed. Published reports indicate that aconite tincture and raw aconite roots can be absorbed through the skin into systemic circulation to cause fatal and non-fatal aconite poisoning. Both aconite tincture and raw aconite roots contain very high concentrations of Aconitum alkaloids, which allow penetration of the stratum corneum along the diffusion gradient. The risk of systemic toxicity is even higher if Aconitum alkaloids are held in occlusive contact with the skin and the epidermis (stratum corneum) is already damaged. The public should be warned of the danger in using these topical aconite preparations and the risk of systemic toxicity following percutaneous absorption of Aconitum alkaloids.
authors: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. tykchan@cuhk.edu.hk
authors: Thomas Y K
authors: TY
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D031841:Aconitum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000506:poisoning*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000506:poisoning; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts