Abstract
The roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diel are used clinically in traditional medicine of China. However, it is also found very toxic and to date, few detoxication strategies are available to completely eliminate its toxicity. The present study was conducted to observe the cellular neurotoxicity of A. brachypodum Diels and discuss the detoxication effect of baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid, two compounds from Chinese herbal Baical skullcap root and Radix Glycyrrhizae, respectively. The cellular neurotoxicity of A. brachypodum Diels on PC12 cell was estimated and assessed. The results showed that low doses of chloroform-soluble fraction (CFA) displayed little toxicity on PC12 cells. However, long term of high doses (300 to 400 μg/ml) exposure to CFA could lead to significant cell damage, mainly including cell apoptosis and necrosis, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria dysfunction and redox imbalance. Pre-incubation of baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid could both decrease the cytotoxicity of PC12 induced by CFA. The present study strongly demonstrated the pro-oxidant effects of CFA and suggested that increased intracellular ROS and calcium have mediated a significant time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in PC12 cells exposed to CFA via a mitochondrial dependent pathway, which could be effectively reduced by baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid. Key words: Aconitum brachypodum Diel, baicalin, glycyrrhetic acid, PC12, detoxication.
Highlights
Aconitum brachypodum Diels belong to the genus of Aconitum (Family: Ranunculaceae)
The present study strongly demonstrated the pro-oxidant effects of chloroform-soluble fraction (CFA) and suggested that increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium have mediated a significant time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in PC12 cells exposed to CFA via a mitochondrial dependent pathway, which could be effectively reduced by baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid
The present results showed that lower dose of CFA displayed little toxicity on PC12 cells
Summary
Aconitum brachypodum Diels belong to the genus of Aconitum (Family: Ranunculaceae). It is very toxic due to aconitine alkaloids, especially aconitine, the main alkaloid of this plant. The toxic effects of aconitine and its structurally related analogs are known to affect mainly the heart and the central nervous system (AMERI, 1998). Acute poisoning or intoxication resulting from misuse, instant treatment including the careful monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure, arrhythmia, etc.) is crucial because of the rapid deterioration of the patient’s condition in the first 24 h. The treatment can only be supportive since there is no antidote (Chan, 2009). Few detoxication strategies are available to completely neutralize the toxicity of A. brachypodum Diels.
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