[Advances in studies on toxicity of aconite].
Aconite has the efficacy of reviving yang for resuscitation, dispelling cold and relieving pain, which is widely used in clinic, and shows unique efficacy in treating severe diseases. However, aconite has great toxicity, with obvious cardio-toxicity and neurotoxicity. Its toxicological mechanism main shows in the effect on voltage-dependent sodium channels, release of neurotransmitters and changes in receptors, promotion of lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis in heart, liver and other tissues. Aconite works to reduce toxicity mainly through compatibility and processing. Besides traditional processing methods, many new modern processing techniques could also help achieve the objectives of detoxification and efficacy enhancement. In order to further develop the medicinal value of aconite and reduce its side effect in clinical application, this article gives comprehensive comments on aconite's toxicity characteristics, mechanism and detoxification methods on the basis of relevant reports for aconite's toxicity and the author's experimental studies.
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China. chenrongchang456@126.com
Rong-Chang
RC
Chen
Gui-Bo
GB
Sun
Qiang
Q
Zhang
Zu-Guang
ZG
Ye
Xiao-Bo
XB
Sun
D031841:Aconitum / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts