title: A review on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the processed lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The processed lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux (Ranunculaceae), an extensively used traditional Chinese medicine, is known as Fuzi in China (Chinese: ), "bushi" in Japan, "Kyeong-Po Buja" in Korea, Chinese aconite, monkshood or Chinese wolfsbane. It has been used to treat shock resulting from acute myocardial infarction, low blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, etc.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present paper aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological effect and toxicity of Fuzi. Besides, the possible tendency and perspective for future research of this plant are discussed, as well.
  
  
  METHODS
  All available information on Fuzi was collected via electronic search (using Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and Web of Science), books and classic works about Chinese herb.
  
  
  RESULTS
  122 chemical constituents, among which C19-diterpenoid alkaloids and C20-diterpenoid alkaloids are the predominant groups, have been isolated and identified from Fuzi. Fuzi with its active compounds is possessed of wide-reaching biological activities, including effects on cardiovascular system, anti-inflammation and analgesic action, anti-tumor activity, effect on the immune system, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, anti-aging effect, effect of protecting kidney and effect on energy metabolism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly all of compounds were found from the roots of the plant, so further phytochemical studies should focus more on the other parts of the plant, such as the leaves, flowers or stems. Besides, a majority of the pharmacological studies were carried out using crude and poorly characterized extracts. Thus, more bioactive components particularly cardiotonic and analgesic compounds should be identified through bioactivity-guided isolation strategies. Moreover, investigations on how to develop Fuzi׳s new clinical usage on the basis of its pharmacological effects are in requirement.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Guohong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Liying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Xidan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Zhenzhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China. Electronic address: wangzhuju@sina.com.
authors.forename: Zhuju
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D031841:Aconitum / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux; Fuzi; Pharmacological activities; Phytochemistry; Toxicology