SUN TEN Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2012: Pharmacodynamics and Indications of Aconite (Fu Zi) and its Processed Forms
Pharmacodynamics and Indications of Aconite (Fu Zi) and its Processed Forms
by Brion Research Institue of Taiwan
Aconite (Fu Zi) is a prepared product from the daughter roots of the Ranunculaceae Family plant Wu Tou (Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.). The main places of origin are Jiang-You County and An County in
Toxicity Test
The levels of toxicity present within Fu Zi vary a lot due to various influences, such as the place of origin, harvesting, processing, and the decoction time. Whichever factors affect by Brion Research Institute of Taiwan the content level of alkaloids such as aconitine, would affect its level of toxicity. For example, there is a report showing the LD50 for cooked sliced Fu Zi decoction in mice is
Processing has a clear effect on the toxicity and function of Fu Zi. When there is poisonous alkaloid like aconitine, the cardiac-stimulating function is inhibited. Raw Fu Zi doesn’t have a cardiac-stimulating function and at a slightly larger dosage will lead to arrhythmia and atrioventricular block. However, aconitine is not heat resistant and is mostly destroyed during the processing. Thus processed sliced Fu Zi and salted Fu Zi both have a notable cardiac-stimulating effect, but the analgesic effect is reduced. A large dosage might also lead to arrhythmia. The contents of alkaloids in sliced white Fu Zi and sliced black Fu Zi are very similar due to their similar processing methods. The total contents of alkaloids within the processed herb are 1/6-1/9 of the raw herbs, and the content of diterpene alkaloids are only 1/100 of the raw herbs. A slice of salted Fu Zi has similar total alkaloids contents due to milder processing conditions, but its diterpene alkaloids are higher. The toxicities of raw herbs should not be determined by the content of total alkaloids, but should be based on the level of diterpene alkaloids.
Pharmacodynamics
[Effect on Cardiovascular System]
Fu Zi decoctions, decoctions that are cooked for long time, and the water-soluble portion all have distinct cardiacstimulating effect on frogs, toads, and warm-blooded animals’ hearts, no matter if they are in a normal or failing state. The main cardiac stimulating components are dl-Demethylcodaurine (Higenamine), coryneine chloride, and Salsolinol. The longer decoction time will not reduce the contents of these cardiac stimulating components.
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