OBJECTIVETo study the polysaccharides contents and monosaccharide compositions in parent root, daughter root and rootlet of Aconitum carmichaeli.

METHODThe conversion coefficient of A. carmichaeli polysaccharide to glucose was obtained by refined polysaccharides, and then the contents of crude polysaccharides in parent root, daughter root and rootlet were determined by sulfuric-phenol spectrometry method; analysis of monosaccharide compositions in polysaccharides from A. carmichaeli was carried out by pre-column derivatization high performance liquid chromatography with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP).

RESULTThe contents of polysaccharides in parent root, daughter root and rootlet were 22.02%, 33.53% and 6.10%, respectively. Parent root, daughter root and rootlet mainly contained glucose, and in addition they contained a small amount of galacturonic acid, galactose and arabinose. Daughter root contained mannose yet, and rootlet still contained mannose, rhamnose and xylose.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, rapid, and accurate. The content of polysaccharide in rootlet is lowest, and monosaccharide compositions in rootlet are significantly different from parent root and daughter root.

Aconitum ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Fe, Zn, B and Mn fertilizer with different ratio on the yield and quality of Aconitum carmichaeli.

METHODField experiment with the uniform design was applied, the yield and the contents of the total alkaloids and diester-alkaloids were measured.

RESULTFe, Zn, B and Mn fertilizer of appropriate ratio could promote the growth of vegetative organs, increase the biomass, the content of alkaloids and the yield of Aconite significantly. Fe, Zn fertilizer of highly concentrated ratio increased the proportion of first sub-roots, but inhibited the growth of other vegetative organs, the number of roots was less than that with other treatments, so it was not conducive to the formation of production. High concentration of Mn was not conducive to the growth of underground of Aconite, its number of sub-roots was fewer, but the number of third sub-roots was more than that with other treatments, the yield was low. The yield treated with low concentration of B was 10% higher than that with high concentration, and the high concentration of B was not conducive to increase the content of the alkaloids. Among these treatments, The fourth treatment was the optimal combination, of which the volume of sub-roots was the largest and the most homogeneous, the growth of the vegetative organs was better and the accumulation of dry matters was more, the yield of this treatment was 10,754.7 kg x hm(-2), which was increased by 14.9%, and the content of alkaloid was increased by 13.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe ratio of 4 is the best treatment for high yield and quality cultivation of Aconite.

Aconitum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Biomass ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Micronutrients ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba on periodontitis mice and compare the results of the two herbs for the treatment of the periodontitis mice.

METHODSSixty-four SPF 12-week-old male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups:Control group(C); Experimental periodontitis group (P):the peridontitis models in Kunming mice were prepared by wrapping silk ligature and inoculating with putative periodontopathic bacteria; Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi treatment group (SG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi; Radix paeoniae Alba treatment group (RG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Radix paeoniae Alba.Four mice were sacrificed at each time point of the end of 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks in each group. The histopathological changes of periodontal tissue were observed under microscope with HE staining. The level of serum IgG1 and IgG2a was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .

RESULTSA serious inflammatory response, alveolar progressive absorption and a large number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental periodontitis group.However, in SG and RG, the inflammation of the periodontal tissue was decreased and tissue repair was significant. The level of serum IgG2a in SG (6 week:0.934 ± 0.006, 8 week:0.743 ± 0.009, 10 week: 0.674 ± 0.008) and RG (6 week: 1.023 ± 0.032, 8 week: 0.851 ± 0.032, 10 week:0.790 ± 0.009) was significantly decreased after the mice were gavaged with the two herbs(P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG2a in SG was significantly lower than that of RG (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG (6 week: 0.314 ± 0.006, 8 week: 0.344 ± 0.004, 10 week: 0.367 ± 0.006) and RG (6 week: 0.287 ± 0.005, 8 week: 0.303 ± 0.058, 10 week: 0.336 ± 0.006) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG was significantly higher than that of RG (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba showed therapeutic effect on periodontitis in mice.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was more effective than Radix paeoniae Alba.

Aconitum ; Animals ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Paeonia ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; Water

The chemical constituents from the roots of Aconitum kongboense were studied. Twenty-five diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from the 95% methanol extract of the roots of A. kongboense by silica gel, reverse-phase silica gel and basic alumina column chromatography. They included a new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloid, named as kongboensenine(1), and twenty-four known ones(2-25), i.e., acotarine F(2), acotarine G(3), 14-acetyltalatisamine(4), talatisamine(5), indaconitine(6), yunaconitine(7), chasmanine(8), 6-epi-foresticine(9), homochasmanine(10), 8-deacetyl-yunaconitine(11), chasmaconitine(12), ajaconine(13), franchetine(14), ezochasmanine(15), crassicautine(16), 14-O-deacylcrassicausine(17), genicunine A(18), falconeridine(19), sachaconitine(20), liljestrandisine(21), 8-methyl-14-acetyltalatisamine(22), kongboendine(23), 14-benzoylchasmanine(24) and pseudaconine(25). Their structures were elucidated by common spectroscopic methods including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) techniques. Compounds 2-4, 10, 13, 15-19 and 21-22 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Experimental results showed that all compounds did not have a significant inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase(AChE).
Acetylcholinesterase ; Aconitum/metabolism* ; Alkaloids ; Diterpenes ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots/metabolism*

This study selected three typical Chinese herbs with cold property(Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, and Coptidis Rhizoma) and another three with heat property(Cinnamomi Cortex, Zingiberris Rhizoma, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to observe their regulatory effects on metabolism in animal organism, especially on lipid and energy metabolism in mice after a short-(7 d) and long-term(35 d) intervention. The mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism genes in epididymal adipose tissue and liver were determined by real-time PCR. The oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and energy consumption were detected by metabolic system. After the short-term intervention, the Chinese herbs with heat property significantly reduced epididymal adipose tissue index and elevated the expression levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC), lipoprotein lipase(LPL), and carnitine-palmityl transferase 1(CPT-1) in liver and epididymal adipose tissues. However, those with cold property promoted the expression of above-mentioned genes in epididymal adipose tissue. After the long-term intervention, cold and heat Chinese herbs had no significant effect on epididymal adipose tissue index of animals, while cold Chinese herbs could increase carbon dioxide production and energy consumption and reduce activity. These findings demonstrated that the short-term intervention effects of cold and heat Chinese herbs on animal metabolism were significantly stronger than the long-term intervention effects. Specifically, the short-term intervention with cold Chinese herbs enhanced the lipid metabolism in epididymal adipose tissue, while the heat Chinese herbs promoted lipid metabolism in epididymal adipose tissue and liver. The long-term intervention with cold and heat Chinese herbs resulted in no obvious change in lipid level, but long-term intervention with cold Chinese herbs accelerated energy consumption of the body. This study preliminarily observed the effects of cold and heat Chinese herbs on normal animal physiology from lipid and energy metabolism, which would provide reference for explaining the biological basis of Chinese herbs with cold or heat property based on biological response.
Aconitum ; Animals ; Carbon Dioxide ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Energy Metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Lipids ; Mice

The tuberous roots of Aconitum carmichaeli are largely used in traditional Chinese medicine and widely grown in Jiangyou, Sichuan, China. During the growth process, this medicinal plant releases a large amount of allelochemicals into soil, which retard the growth and development of near and late crops. Therefore, a pure culture experiment was thus carried out by seed soaking to study the allelopathic effects of extracts from tuberous roots of A. carmichaeli (ETR) on the seed germination and young seedling growth of Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and Medicago sativa, the late pasture grasses after cultivation of A. carmichaeli. The results showed that three pasture grasses varied significantly in seed germination and young seedling growth in response to ETR concentrations. Seed germination of M. sativa was stimulated by low ERT concentration (0.01 x g(-1)), while all of pasture grass seeds germinated poorly in solution with 1.00 g x L(-1). Seed soaking with 1.00 g x L(-1) also inhibited significantly the growth of pasture young seedlings, with M. sativa showing the highest seedling height reduction of 42.05% in seeding height, followed by T. repens (40.21%) and L. perenne with about 11%. Cultivation of L. perenne could thus be beneficial to increase whole land productivity in A. carmichaeli-pasture grass cropping systems. In addition, hydrolysis of protein, starch, and inositol phosphates was blocked and free amino acids, soluble sugars and phosphorus were decreased in seeds by seed soaking with ETR, which could be one of the reason for the inhibition of seed germination. There was a significant reduction in root vigor, nitrate reductase, and chlorophyll after the seed treatment with ETR, indicating the suppression of nutrient uptake, nitrate assimilation, and photosynthesis by allelopathic chemicals in ETR, which could lead to the slow growth rate of pasture grass seedlings.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Allelopathy ; China ; Pheromones ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Poaceae ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the collection the development pattern for genuineness of Aconitum carmichalii, which lays a good basis for the sustainable utilization of A. carmichalii resources.

METHODWe adopted the combined methods of investigation of herbal literatures, researching of origins in A. carmichalii and consultation with the experts, identified the development pattern of A. carmichalii. From genuine producing areas and its genuineness.

RESULTThe genuine producing area of A. carmichali is Jiangyou district of Sichuan province, genuine medicinal materials of A. carmichalii is mainly oriented by production techniques. It has cultivation techniques, unique and exquisite processing, which have trim root delicately and remove top complexly.

CONCLUSIONA. carmichalii from Jiangyou is famous genuine medicinal materials in Sichuan Province. It should strengthen the inheritance and creative research for cultivation techniques, unique and exquisite processing, ensure the safety and effect in medication.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Geographic Information Systems ; Herbal Medicine ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism

In this study,transcriptomics technique was used to investigate the mechanism of action of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata on acute heart failure rats induced by propafenone hydrochloride.First,rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group and administration group(1.25,2.5,5 g·kg-1).A rat with acute heart failure was constructed by intravenous femoral administration of proparone hydrochloride.The changes of heart rate,+dp/dtmaxand-dp/dtmaxat 5,10,20,30 and 60 min were recorded.Then another group of rats were given the same drug delivery method.In another group of animals,serum TNF-α could be determined by ELISA with the same dosage method.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect all gene expression differences in cardiac tissue samples of rats with acute heart failure.Through functional annotation and enrichment analysis,gene expression signaling pathways of rats with acute heart failure and rats with post-administration heart failure were screened out.The results showed that heart rate and LV+dp/dtmaxand LV-dp/dtmaxwere significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.05),while heart rate and LV+dp/dtmax and LV-dp/dtmaxwere significantly increased in the drug group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Moreover,ANP,BNP and TNF-α in acute heart failure rats was significantly decreased in high-dose aconite decoction group(P<0.05).Transcriptomics analysis showed that the mechanism of action was mainly related to activation of PI3 K-AKT signaling pathway and Jak-STAT pathway.Compared with the model group,aconite decoction up-regulated the expression of phosphatidylinostol 3-kinase(PI3 K),lysophosphatidic acid(LAP3),Bcl-3 and STAT genes,and down-regulated the expression of integrin(ITGA),nuclear orphan receptor(Nur77) genes.It could be concluded that the mechanism of aconite in treating acute heart failure rats may be related to the regulation of the PI3 k-Akt/Jak-STAT pathway.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata and Rhizoma Anemarrhena on nitric oxide (NO) system of heart, liver, intestine, lung, kidney and serum in mice with endotoxemia, and to explore the potential molecular mechanism of the three kinds of traditional Chinese drugs.

METHODSModel mice of endotoxemia were established by intraperitoneally injected with E. coli. endotoxin at the dose of 6 mg/kg. The levels of NO, nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD) in heart, liver, intestine, lung, kidney and serum of mice were measured at the points after injection for 4 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours, respectively.

RESULTS(1) Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae could significantly increase the contents of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and SOD in the above tissues and serum, while decrease the content of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). (2) As compared with the model group, Radix Aconiti Lateralis could significantly decrease the contents of iNOS and NO, increase content of SOD in heart, lung and kidney tissues. (3) N.-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) significantly decreased the content of iNOS, NO and SOD in all above tissues and serum, and also decreased the content of cNOS in lung and kidney tissues and serum. (4) Rhizoma Anemarrhenae could significantly increase the concentrations of iNOS and NO and decrease content of SOD in liver, lung and kidney tissues than those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONRadix Salviae Miltiorrhiae and Radix Aconiti Lateralis have a protective effect on the endotoxemia mice by suppressing the content of iNOS to reduce the production of NO induced by iNOS. At the same time, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae can improve the mice symptoms by increasing the beneficial NO through the increasing production of cNOS. Rhizoma Anemarrhenae can aggravate the injury of endotoxemia mice by increasing the production of NO due to producing large numbers of iNOS. L-NNA, non-selective inhibitor of NOS, aggravates damage of tissues and increases mortality, though it can reduce the increase of iNOS and NO induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Aconitum ; Anemarrhena ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxemia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Mice ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVE: Aconite is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been found to inhibit the development of liver cancer; however, its exact molecular mechanisms in this process remain unclear. This study explores how aconite aqueous extract (AAE) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: An in vivo mouse model of subcutaneous liver cancer was established. After AAE treatment, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determine the effect of AAE on natural killer (NK) cells. Subsequently, C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the subcutaneous tumor model, and a group of these mice were treated with anti-PK163 antibody to remove NK cells, which was verified by flow cytometry and IHC. The effect of AAE on the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro was determined using cell counting kit-8. The effect of AAE on chemokine production in HCC cells was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of AAE on the migration of NK cells was determined using a transwell assay. Finally, the molecular mechanism was investigated using the Western blotting method. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the ability of AAE to induce overexpression of the cytokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in HCC cells is fundamental to the infiltration of NK cells into the tumor bed. Mechanistically, we found that the upregulation of CCL2 was achieved by the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not extracellular regulated protein kinase or p38. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that AAE can be used as an effective immune adjuvant to enhance antitumor immunity by increasing NK cell infiltration into tumors, which could help to improve the efficacy of HCC treatments. Please cite this article as: Yang KD, Zhang X, Shao MC, Wang LN. Aconite aqueous extract inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma through CCL2-dependent enhancement of natural killer cell infiltration. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 575-583.
Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Aconitum ; Ligands ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism* ; Chemokines/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor