OBJECTIVETo study the processing principles of different processed products of Aconitum pendulum.

METHODUsing high performance liquid chromatography and acute toxicity test to compare the changes in chemical composition and toxicity of the roots and processed products of A. pendulum.

RESULTThe main toxic components of the roots of A. pendulum were aconitine, deoxyaconitine and 3-acetylaconitine. The contents of these three alkaloids were significantly reduced in processed products, while benzoylaconitine significantly increased. In addition, processed products emerged aconine, polyschistine-D, beyzoyldeoxyaconine, 16-epi-pyroaconitine and 16-epi-pyrodeoxyaconitine. From the structural analysis, these new emerged compounds transformed from the aconitine, deoxyaconitine and 3-acetylaconitine.

CONCLUSIONDifferent processing methods can reduce the toxicity of the roots of A. pendulum. Processing principle is ester hydrolysis and high-temperature pyrolysis.