Aconitum alkaloids and biological activities

Abstract

Plants of the Aconitum genus have a long-lasting history of use both for their biological and toxicological properties. Most of Aconitum plants used in traditional medicine are being extensively explored and their chemical constituents and pharmacological effects are being evaluated. This chapter summarizes the results of the most recent research works on the pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of alkaloids from various Aconitum species and highlights the analgesic, antiarrhythmic, and anticancer effects, attributed to various diterpenoid alkaloids. Diester diterpenoid alkaloids have been characterized as the most toxic compounds because of the presence of acetyl and benzoyl esters in the structures. Their capacity to bind to the sodium channels and activate permanent influx of Na+ ions through cell membranes was described as the principal mechanism underlying toxic, analgesic, and arrhythmogenic effects. Diterpenoid alkaloids responsible for analgesic, antiarrhythmic, and anticancer action are compared on the basis of their therapeutic and toxicological properties.