Objective:

2

To carry out the studies of pharmacological action for extracts of Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta

and evaluate the selection of raw materials in prescriptions

in order to promote the development and clinical application of preparations.

Method:

2

The mixed extracts of Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta were prepared respectively according to the technique of aconitum injection

and different dose groups of Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta were established based on the dose of Aconiti Radix 0.152 5 mg·g

-1

and then applied in such pharmacodynamic tests as analgesia

heart rate reduction

antitumor effect and toxicology tests

such as acute toxicity and organ observation. The data were analyzed systematically on the basis of literatures.

Result:

2

Compared with blank group

the extracts of both Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta had a significantly analgesic effect. At the same dose

the pain inhibition rate of Aconiti Radix injection (60.91%) was higher than that of Aconiti Radix Cocta injection (53.42%)

and the pain inhibition rate of Aconiti Radix extract for oral administration(73.94%) was also much higher than that of Aconiti Radix Cocta extract (29.97%)

with significant differences (

P

<

0.01). In terms of heart rate reduction test

the heart rate of rats at 0 min was compared with that at 30

th

min after administration

the heart rate of the Aconiti Radix group was decreased first

then stabilized

and finally increased with the rise of the dose

while for the Aconiti Radix Cocta group showed a different trend of first stability

then decrease and finally increase. The result indicated the Aconiti Radix group had the effect in reducing heart rate in rats at a low dose. The survival inhibition rate was evaluated by 3-(4

5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2

5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The extracts of both Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta had a significantly inhibitory effect on the proliferation of AGS gastric cancer cells

in which Aconiti Radix was stronger than that of Aconiti Radix Cocta at the same dose. In the acute toxicity test of rats

lethal dose 50%(LD

50

) of Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Radix Cocta were 3.9 g·kg

-1

and 21.0 g·kg

-1

respectively

which were equivalent to 4 times and 20 times of the clinical dose. LD

50

of the extract of Aconiti Radix Cocta was 5 times than that of Aconiti Radix. The liver and kidney of dead rats were dark with obvious symptoms of poisoning after dissection

while all the organs of rats at the clinical and lower dose were normal.

Conclusion:

2

The safety of Aconiti Radix is lower than that of Aconiti Radix Cocta

but with greater analgesic

bradycardic and anticancerous effect. Therefore

it is suggested that the preparations

such as aconitum injection

should be prepared with Aconiti Radix in the treatment of severe pain of patients with advanced gastric and liver cancer

and the preparations for general pain can be prepared with Aconiti Radix Cocta

so as to achieve a truly safe and effective dialectical treatment.