Mesaconitine Plays the Major Role in the Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Radix
Aconiti Carmichaeli (Chuan Wu)
MEI CHOU LAI1, I-MIN LIU2, SHORONG-SHII LIOU2 AND YUAN-SHIUN CHANG1
1. Graduate Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
2. Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yen-Pou, Ping Tung Shien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
(Received: January 4, 2011; Accepted: March 30, 2011)
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extracts of Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli (Chuan Wu) by oral gavage in mice. Carrageenan-induced paw edema served as an acute inflammation model. The acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin-induced nociceptive responses in the early and late phases were used to assess the analgesic activity. The contents of Aconitum alkaloids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The order of concentration of aconitine-type alkaloids in Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli was mesaconitine > aconitine > hypaconitine. Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli water extract at the dosage of 60 mg/kg not only effectively inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema, but also significantly attenuated the abdominal constriction induced by an intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid, as well as the late phase of pain response caused by a hindpaw injection of formalin. Mesaconitine and aconitine are effective in decreasing the pain sensation elicited by acetic acid. The aqueous extracts of Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli exhibits antinociceptive activity and anti-inflammatory effect probably due to the presence of high content of mesaconitine.
Key words: Aconitum alkaloids, antinociceptive activity, anti-inflammatory activity, Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli (Chuan Wu)