The anti-arthritic effects of Aconitum vilmorinianum, a folk herbal medicine in Southwestern China

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.02.018

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Volume 147, Issue 1, 2 May 2013, Pages 122-127

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.02.018 Get rights and content

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aconiti Radix (AC) and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (AK) are two traditional Chinese medicines commonly used to treat joint pain and arthritis. In Southwestern China, Huangcaowu (AV), the root of Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom., has long been used as a local substitute for these herbs for analgesia and anti-inflammation. However, its anti-arthritic effects have not been investigated.

Aim of study

To investigate the anti-arthritic effects of Huangcaowu (AV).

Materials and methods

Mono-arthritis in SD rats was induced by unilateral intra-articular injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. Physiological saline was injected in the contralateral knee. Seventy five percent ethanol extracts of AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day), AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) were administered to rats by oral gavage for 14 consecutive days (Day -6 to Day 7) while arthritis was induced at the seventh day (Day 0). The anti-arthritic effects of the herbs were assessed by measuring allodynia, swelling, hyperaemia and the vascular permeability of the knee joints.

Results

AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day), AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) suppressed joint allodynia. AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced join swelling and hyperaemia while AC (100 mg/kg/day) did not. AV (100 mg/kg/day) attenuated vascular permeability while AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) showed no improvement.

Conclusions

Huangcaowu (AV) significantly improved allodynia, swelling, hyperaemia and vascular permeability in arthritic knee joints. It showed the highest anti-arthritic effects among the three tested Aconitum herbs.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

The Aconitum L. species (Ranunculaceae) have been used as traditional herbal medicines in China since the seventh century (Chen and Jiang, 1988). The tuberous mother roots of A. carmichaelii Debx. and A. kusnezoffii Reichb. are used as the popular Chinese medicines Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, respectively, for analgesic treatment of joint pain and arthritis (Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 2010, Kubo et al., 1990). The major components in Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix are alkaloids including aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine and related diterpenoid alkaloids (Csupor et al., 2009, Liu et al., 2010). These alkaloids are the bioactive compounds for their anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive effects (Oyama et al., 1994, Shi et al., 1990). In Southwestern China (including Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces), the folk herbal medicine Huangcaowu, derived from the tuberous mother roots of A. vilmorinianum Kom., has been used as a local substitute for Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (Fig. 1) (National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products, Guangdong Institute for Food and Drug Control, 1995, Wan et al., 2007). Although A. vilmorinianum is closely related to A. carmichaelii and A. kusnezoffii as revealed by DNA barcoding analysis using trnH-psbA intergenic spacer (He et al., 2010), their chemical components are quite different. For example, Huangcaowu contains two diterpenoid alkaloids yunaconitine and vilmorrianine A which were undetectable in Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (Xiao et al., 2006). Although Huangcaowu has long been used as a popular analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent in some local areas, its anti-arthritic effects have not been studied. Consequently, the objective of this study is to investigate the anti-arthritic effects of Huangcaowu. The findings in this study have provided scientific bases for its use in treating arthritis.

Section snippets

Preparation of herbal extracts

Samples of Huangcaowu (AV), Aconiti Radix (AC) and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (AK) were collected from Yunnan Province, PR China, and were authenticated by experts in the Herbarium of the Kunming Institute of Botany, PR China. One hundred grams of each herbal material were extracted with 1 L of 75% ethanol thrice by ultrasonication at room temperature for 1 h. The three extracts of each herb were pooled, dried by rotary evaporation and lyophilized under a reduced pressure. The dried extracts were

Results and discussion

Aconitum herbs including AC and AK have been commonly used to treat joint pain and arthritis in China (Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 2010, Kubo et al., 1990). In this study, we investigated the anti-arthritic effects of AV, a local substitute used in Southwestern China. The bioactive compounds of these Aconitum herbs included C₁₈-, C₁₉- and C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloids (Xiao et al., 2006), which showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects (Hikino et al., 1980, Hikino et al., 1982

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Prof. Ji-Jun Chen from the State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS, for providing the standard compound yunaconitine. We thank Ms. Ling Cheng from the State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China (CUHK), Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, for her advice on the preparation of herbal extracts. We also thank Dr. David Wilmshurst from the Research

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A review of traditional and current methods used to potentially reduce toxicity of Aconitum roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Aconitum, as a representative of toxic herbs, is widely used in clinical practice in China. Aconitum was first recorded in the book Shennong Bencao Jing, which dates to a period around 200 BCE to 200 CE, more than 2000 years ago (Li et al., 2013). The treatment effect of Aconitum is reported to be very significant, especially in rescue critical illnesses, and chronic, stubborn diseases, showing a unique curative effect.
Aconitum species are well-known for their medicinal value and high lethal toxicity in many Asian countries, notably China, India and Japan. The tubers are only used after processing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They can be used safely and effectively with the methods of decoction, rational compatibility, and correct processing based on traditional experiences and new technologies. However, high toxicological risks still remain due to improper preparation and usage in China and other countries. Therefore, there is a need to clarify the methods of processing and compatibility to ensure their effectiveness and minimize the potential risks.
The aim of this paper is to provide a review of traditional and current methods used to potentially reduce toxicity of Aconitum roots in TCM.
The use of Aconitum has been investigated and the methods of processing and compatibility throughout history, including recent research, have been reviewed.
Using of the methods of rational preparation, reasonable compatibility, and proper processing based on traditional experiences and new technologies, can enable Aconitum to be used safely and effectively.

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¹: These authors contributed equally.

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The anti-arthritic effects of Aconitum vilmorinianum, a folk herbal medicine in Southwestern China

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aim of study

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Preparation of herbal extracts

Results and discussion

Acknowledgments

Journal of Chromatography A

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

International Immunopharmacology

Regulatory Peptides

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

The medicinal plant resources of Chinese Aconitum and Delphinium

Acta Botanica Yunnanica

Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China

Toxicological mechanisms of Aconitum alkaloids

Pharmazie

Identification of the medicinal plants in Aconitum L. by DNA barcoding technique

Planta Medica

Antiinflammatory principles of Aconitum roots

Journal of Pharmacobio-dynamics

Mechanism of inhibitory action of mesaconitine in acute inflammations

European Journal of Pharmacology

Pharmacological study on Aconiti Tuber I: effect of water extract from Aconiti Tuber on adjuvant-induced arthritis

Yakugaku Zasshi