Neuroprotective Effects of Dried Tubers of Aconitum napellus

The present study was designed to explore the neuroprotective properties of Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae). The plant detoxification was done using either water, or cow or goat milk as per the Ayurvedic shodhana method. The evaluation of the neuroprotective role of A. napellus was performed on diabetic neuropathy induced by streptozotocin in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Body mass, blood sugar level, oral glucose tolerance test, hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, motor co-ordination test, and locomotor activity, oxidative biomarkers (TBARS, reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and sciatic nerve histomorphology were assessed. The in vitro studies were done on human neuroblastoma cell line SHSY-5Y and used an MTT assay to assess the antiproliferative activity of different extracts. Results suggest that the goat milk treated chloroform extract has less percentage of aconitine. After administration of the detoxified chloroform extract to the diabetic animals, there was a significant improvement in the myelination and degenerative changes of the nerve fibers along with behavioral changes (p < 0.05 as compared with diabetic control group). The findings of the in vitro research show an effective neuroprotective role of A. napellus. This suggests that A. napellus should be further investigated for its effect in diabetic pathology.

Antidiabetic activity of standardized dried tubers extract of Aconitum napellus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

India has got rich cultural inheritage in the forms of Ayurveda texts which are a rich and ample source of herbs, shrubs, trees and affluent in medicinally active phytoconstituents. Aconitum napellus is used for the cure of many ailments including rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica and gout. The present work attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the tubers of Aconitum napellus along with its antidiabetic activity. The herbal standardization was carried out on the basis of organoleptic properties, physical characteristics and physicochemical properties. The body weight of ACON-I (1.25 mg/kg) and ACON-II (2.5 mg/kg) was recorded as 190.40 and 209.40 g, respectively, compared with 163.00 g in diabetic rats at day 28. The body weight of ACON-I and ACON-II was significantly increased compared with diabetic rats (p < 0.01). However, the body weight of ACON-I and ACON-II was decreased significantly (p < 0.01) compared with normal group (222.60 g). The blood glucose levels of diabetic rats and ACON-I group were recorded as 277.800 and 152.400 mg/dl, respectively, compared with 83.600 mg/dl in normal rats (p < 0.01). However, the HbA1c levels of diabetic rats and ACON-I group were recorded as 11.306 and 6.936% Hb, respectively, compared with 4.539% Hb in normal rats. The glucose and HbA1c levels of diabetic and ACON-I groups were significant compared with normal group (p < 0.01). The results of antidiabetic activity showed that the plant can be used as a potent source for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The results of this work provided the referential information for the identification and standardization of Aconitum napellus along with its role as a hypoglycemic agent.

Integration of non-targeted metabolomics and automated determination of elemental compositions for comprehensive alkaloid profiling in plants

Plants produce a large array of specialized metabolites to protect themselves. Among these allelochemicals, alkaloids display highly diverse and complex structures that are directly related to their biological activities. Plant alkaloid profiling traditionally requires extensive and time-consuming sample preparation and analysis. Herein, we developed a rapid and efficient approach for the comprehensive profiling of alkaloids in plants using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS)-based metabolomics. Using automated compound extraction and elemental composition assignment, our method achieved >83% correct alkaloid identification and even >90% for medium to high intensity peaks. This represented a significant improvement in identification rate compared to generic methods used for EC determination with no a priori, such as in untargeted metabolomics studies. The developed approach was then applied to identify specific alkaloids of Aconitum lycoctonum L. and A. napellus L. (Ranunculaceae) using different parts of the plant (leaf, perianth and pollen). Significant differences in alkaloid profiles between the two species were highlighted and discussed under taxonomic and evolutionary perspectives. Taken together, the presented approach constitutes a valuable chemotaxonomic tool in the search for known and unknown alkaloids from plants.

Circadian aspects of hyperthermia in mice induced by Aconitum napellus

Background:

Aconitum napellus (Acn) is used topically to relieve pain, itching and inflammation, and internally to reduce febrile states, among others. Any circadian time-related consequences of Acn administration are unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of two doses of Acn on body temperature (BT) of mice treated at six different times over 24 hours.

Materials and Methods:

BALB/c female mice were housed in six chambers (six mice each) with air temperature 24 ± 3°C, humidity 60 ± 4%, and a 12-hours light (L)/12-hours dark cycle, but with L-onset staggered by 4 hours between chambers so that study at one external test time resulted in six test times (02, 06, 10, 14, 18 and 22 hours [h] after light onset). Rectal temperature (RT; in °C) was measured at baseline (B) and 1 hour after oral treatment with placebo (P) or two doses of Acn (6C and 30C, two studies each) in six studies over an 8 day span. The difference in RT for each mouse from the respective B + P timepoint mean RT was computed following each Acn treatment, and data from each of the six studies (original RT and difference from B + P) were analyzed for time-effect by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and for circadian rhythm by 24-hour cosine fitting.

Results:

A circadian rhythm in RT was found at B and after P (mean: 35.58°C vs. 35.69°C; peak: 15:31 h vs. 15:40 h) and after each Acn dose (30C or 6C). Acn induced hyperthermia and the overall change in BT was rhythmically significant for each dose (mean = +1.95°C vs. +1.70°C), with greatest hyperthermia observed during the L-span for each dose (peak = 08:56 h vs. 05:17 h).

Conclusion:

Acn administered around the clock induced hyperthermia overall and in a time-dependent manner, with greatest effects during the resting (L) span. Thus, time of day may significantly impact the outcome of Acn and other homeopathic treatments and should be considered in determining optimal dosing and treatment time(s) in order to increase the desired outcome and decrease undesired effects.