Dosen pengampu :
Disusun Oleh :
MALANG
2022
BAB I
PENDAHULUAN
Tanaman beracun lain yang indah namun berbahaya adalah Wolfsbane atau
di Indonesia sendiri dikenal dengan istilah Helm Setan. Wolfsbane adalah tanaman
ajaib dengan Famili Ranunculaceae, Ordo Ranunculales, Bangsa Delphinieae, dan
Genus Aconitum lycoctonum. Tumbuhan menahun ini sering kali dijumpai pada
pegunungan di bagian utara hemisfer atau di dataran yang lembap yang ada efek
dari kabut pegunungan. Di Eropa, spesies Aconitum yang paling tersebar luas
adalah monkshood (Aconitum variegatum dan napellus) dan wolfsbane (Aconitum
lycoctonum) (Adami et al., 2018). Dikutip dari penelitian Erna Karalija bahwa
meskipun tanaman ini dikenal beracun karena adanya alkaloid diterpenpid, namun
oleh para ilmuwan zaman kuno digunakan sebagai obat (Hartwich, 1987). Selain
itu banyak dari Genus Aconitum digunakan untuk tujuan pengobatan sebagai obat
analgesik dan anti-inflamasi (Aslam dan Ahmad 2016). Hal ini karena adanya
alkaloid yang menjadi pembawa banyak sifat farmakologis dan adanya flavonoid
sebagai penanda kemotaksonomi (Srivastava dkk, 2010). Meskipun dijadikan obat
namun tidak adanya klaim yang mengatakan bahwa tumbuhan ini aman jika
dikonsumsi. Hal ini dikarenakan tanaman ini diklaim beracun sehingga perlu
berhati-hati.
1.2 Rumusan Masalah
Adapun rumusan masalah dalam penelitian ini antara lain :
1. Apa nama dan identitas tanaman Aconitum lycocyonum?
2. Apa main toxin yang terkandung dalam tanaman Aconitum lycocyonum?
3. Apa saja target organ yang dipengaruhi oleh tanaman Aconitum
lycocyonum?
4. Bagaimana mekanisme kerja racun pada tanaman Aconitum lycocyonum?
5. Bagaimana manajemen terapi keracunan tanaman Aconitum lycocyonum?
ISI
Gambar 1. Aconitum
lycocyonum
Aconitum atau yang juga diketahui sebagai aconite, monkshood, wolf's
bane, leopard's bane, women's bane, devil's helmet atau blue rocket, merupakan
salah satu genus dari lebih 250 spesies tumbuhan bunga yang berasal
dari keluarga Ranunculaceae. Tumbuhan menahun ini seringkali dijumpai pada
pegunungan di anggota utara hemisfer tumbuh didataran lembab yang
dikarenakan oleh kabut pegunungan. Sebagian luhur spesies tumbuhan ini
merupakan tumbuhan beracun sehingga wajib berjaga-jaga.
Tanaman ini memiliki batang yang panjang dan menonjol, setinggi hingga
170 cm, rimpang dibagi dengan partikel, batang dan tangkai puber, daun dibagi
menjadi 5 -7 lacinias lebar, perbungaan bercabang longgar, puber dengan
rambut bengkok, jatuh setelah mekar, tudung puber berkait, memanjang
silindris, 2,5 –3 lebih tinggi dari lebar, 3 karpel puber padat, taji nektar
melingkar, tidak mencapai bagian atas tudung, tangkai bengkok puber, biji
tanpa sayap (Andrew, 2011).
PENUTUP
3.1 Kesimpulan
3.2 Saran
Adami, F., dkk. 2018. Aritmia Ventrikel Berulang Disebabkan oleh Tertelannya
Bunga Aconitum (Monkshood). Wildrness dan Environmental Obat. Pp:
411-416.
Andrew, V., dkk. 2011. Taxonomy and Ecology of the Genus Aconitum L in the
Ukrainian Carpathians. Wulfenia. Volume 18, hal 37-61.
Karalija, Erna. 2021. Aconitum lycoctonum L.: Phenolic Compounds and Their
Bioactivities. Poisonous Plant Research (PPR). Vol. 4.
Mukesh Kr. Singh et al. 2012. Aconite: Pembaruan Farmakologis. Jurnal Res
Farmasi Sains. Volume 3(2): 242-246.
Nyirimigabo, Eric., et al. 2014. A review on phytochemistry, pharmacology and
toxicology studies of Aconitum. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
Nomor 67: 1-19.
© Landesmuseum für Kärnten; download www.landesmuseum.ktn.gv.at/wulfenia; www.biologiezentrum.at
Summary: In the Ukrainian Carpathians 12 species of the genus Aconitum occur, circumscribed by
three subgenera. General descriptions, ecological characteristics, chorology and threat of 20 Aconitum
taxa are given based on herbarium materials and field investigations. It was found out that all studied
taxa belong to three ecological groups, which are distributed in different altitudinal belts, to four
biomorphological groups and to two main life forms.
In spite of the long history of investigation, taxonomy of the genus Aconitum is still much discussed
and perhaps will remain unresolved. Many taxonomical problems arise from the notorious
hybridity within the genus and subsequent origin of putative genetic hybrids, which form a
morphological continuum between the parental species (Kadota 1987; Starmühler 2001).
In the Ukrainian keys for the species identification often labile and indistinct features as shape
of leaves, size of flowers and height of plants are used. For example, in one of the most popular
Ukrainian keys, the 'Plants identification guide for Ukrainian Carpathians' (Chopik 1977), ten
species of the genus Aconitum are cited. In another work 'Identification guide for higher plants
of Ukraine' (Prokudin 1987) eleven monkshood species are recognized. In both cases, some
species were not taxonomically clearly sound. They were clarified in recent taxonomical revisions
of the genus Aconitum by Mitka (2000, 2003, 2008) and Starmühler & Mitka (2001). Here,
the morpho-geographical species concept (Davis & Heywood 1963) was used.
Mitka (2003, 2008) points to 13 taxa in the genus Aconitum in the Eastern Carpathians. All
species belong to the three subgenera Aconitum, Lycoctonum and Anthora. They are described
on the basis of root and flower morphology. Among them the subgenus Aconitum is the richest
in the Ukrainian Carpathians and consists of two sections (Aconitum, Cammarum DC.), one
nothosection Acomarum Starm. (sect. Aconitum × sect. Cammarum) and ten species. The
second subgenus Lycoctonum (DC.) Peterm. is represented by only one species, A. moldavicum
Hacq. Although A. lycoctonum is considered possible for this territory (Mitka 2003), no native
localities have been found up to now. The third, controversial subgenus Anthora (DC.) Peterm.
is represented by just one species, A. anthora L. From the total number, six species are endemics
to the South-Eastern Carpathians, one is endemic to the Carpathians and three are Carpathian
subendemics. In the Ukrainian part of the Eastern Carpathians theoretically should occur
altogether 13 species, but a complete revision of the genus Aconitum in this territory has not yet
been carried out. The high level of endemism and a lack of relevant information on the genus
make the territory a very interesting object of the taxonomic studies. We propose here the revised
chorology of the genus Aconitum in the Ukrainian part of the Eastern Carpathians alongside with
a new determination key.
37
© Landesmuseum für Kärnten; download www.landesmuseum.ktn.gv.at/wulfenia; www.biologiezentrum.at
Aconitum lycoctonum L. em. Koelle subsp. lycoctonum, Spicil. observ. Aconito: 23. 1788 (Fig.
2A, F, H)
Synonyms: A. excelsior Rchb., A. excelsum Rchb., A. jacquinianum Host., A. rogoviczii Wissjul.,
A. septentrionale sensu auct. flor. Carp. Occid., A. vulparia Rchb. ex Spreng.
Description: Semi-rosette, often with long and procumbent stem, up to 170 cm of height;
rhizomes divided by particulation; stem and pedicels pubescent; leaves divided into 5 –7 broad
lacinias; inflorescence loose ramified, pubescent with hooked hairs; perianth yellow or yellowish,
falling after blooming; hood hooked pubescent, cylindrically elongated, 2.5 –3 higher than wide;
3 carpels densely pubescent; filaments dentate or not; nectary spurs coiled, not reaching the top
of the hood; pedicels hooked pubescent; seeds without wings.
Distribution: In the Ukrainian Carpathians A. lycoctonum subsp. lycoctonum is known from
only one locality in the Chornohora Mts., where it probably has been introduced (Fig. 6).
Status: European species.
Threat category in Ukraine: DD (Novikoff 2010b).
Remarks: Just one herbarium specimen (LW 060433) collected by A. Rehman in the Skole
neighborhood was found. No more information about the distribution in the Ukrainian
Carpathians is known. The nearest localities of A. lycoctonum subsp. lycoctonum are in the
Romanian part of the Carpathians and in the Ukrainian lowlands.
Aconitum moldavicum Hacq., Reis. Dac. Sarm. Karpathen 1: 169. 1790 (Fig. 2)
Synonyms: A. carpathicum (DC.) Sagorski & Schneider, A. hosteanum Schur., A. lycoctonum L.
pro parte, A. septentrionale Koelle var. carpaticum DC., Delphinium moldavicum (Hacq.) Brândza.
Description: In general, habit similar to A. lycoctonum; perianth violet, dirty-violet or bluish; 3
carpels glabrous (subsp. moldavicum) or densely pubescent (subsp. hosteanum (Schur) Graebn. &
P. Graebn.), with protuberant hairiness (subsp. simonkaianum (Gáyer) Starm.) or with protuberant
hairs at the base and hooked hairs above (subsp. porcii Starm.).
Distribution: A. moldavicum subsp. moldavicum and subsp. hosteanum are distributed in
the whole Eastern Carpathians. Subsp. simonkaianum sporadically occurs in the Chyvchyny,
Hrynyava and Chornohora Mountains. Subsp. porcii occurs only in the Chyvchyny Mts. (Fig.
6). They grow on wet places, along torrents and rivers, in forest ecotones, etc.; mainly in the
submontane and montane belts. In some cases they are found in the subalpine belt (Chyvchyn,
Gorgany Mts.) in open habitats.
Status: Both A. moldavicum subsp. moldavicum and subsp. hosteanum are Carpathian subendemics
(Mitka 2008). For the other two subspecies more chorological investigations are needed.
Threat category in Ukraine: According to Kricsfalusy & Budnikov (2007) the typical
subspecies has the status EN. We propose the status LC for A. moldavicum subsp. moldavicum
and subsp. hosteanum and the status DD for subsp. simonkaianum and subsp. porcii (Novikoff
2010b).
Remarks: A. moldavicum is one of the most common species of the genus, distributed in almost
the whole Carpathians (it is absent, for example, in the Tatra Mts., Western Carpathians).
43
WILDERNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL OBAT (2018) 29, 411–416
LAPORAN KASUS
Kami melaporkan kasus pasien yang mengalami gagal napas, fibrilasi ventrikel berulang,
aritmia ventrikel, dan hipotensi setelah konsumsi bunga aconite secara sengaja. Menelan
tanaman ini secara signifikan dapat menghasilkan kardiotoksisitas dan neurotoksisitas yang
mengancam jiwa yang mungkin memerlukan evakuasi dari hutan belantara ke fasilitas medis
yang mampu melakukan perawatan lanjutan dan pemantauan perawatan intensif.
Kata kunci: aconitine, aconite, cardiotoxins, neurotoxins, aritmia ventrikel, wolfsbane
Journal of Pharmacy
Review
And Pharmacology
Keywords Abstract
aconite poisoning; Aconitum; pharmacology;
phytochemistry; toxicology Objectives A number of species belonging to herbal genus Aconitum are well-
known and popular for their medicinal benefits in Indian, Vietnamese, Korean,
Correspondence Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese systems of medicine. It is a valuable drug as well as
Yanjun Zhang, School of Traditional Chinese
an unpredictable toxic material. It is therefore imperative to understand and
Materia Medica, Tianjin University of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshan
control the toxic potential of herbs from this genus. In this review, the
West Road, Tianjin 300193, China. ethnomedicinal, phytochemistry, pharmacology, structure activity relationship
E-mail: tianjin_tcm001@sina.com and toxicology studies of Aconitum were presented to add to knowledge for their
safe application.
Received March 3, 2014 Key findings A total of about 76 of all aconite species growing in China and sur-
Accepted July 18, 2014 rounding far-east and Asian countries are used for various medical purposes. The
main ingredients of aconite species are alkaloids, flavonoids, free fatty acids and
doi: 10.1111/jphp.12310
polysaccharides. The tuberous roots of genus Aconitum are commonly applied for
various diseases such as rheumatic fever, painful joints and some endocrinal disor-
ders. It stimulates the tip of sensory nerve fibres. These tubers of Aconitum are
used in the herbal medicines only after processing. There remain high toxicologi-
cal risks of the improper medicinal applications of Aconitum. The cardio and
neurotoxicities of this herb are potentially lethal. Many analytical methods have
been reported for quantitatively and qualitatively characterization of Aconitum.
Summary Aconitum is a plant of great importance both in traditional medicine
in general and in TCM in particular. Much attention should be put on Aconitum
because of its narrow therapeutic range. However, Aconitum’s toxicity can be
reduced using different techniques and then benefit from its pharmacological
activities. New methods, approaches and techniques should be developed for
chemical and toxicological analysis to improve its quality and safety.
Introduction
For centuries, the history of pharmacy has been interlinked cially the phytotherapeutic ones, has increased expressively.
with the history of pharmacognosy, or the study of material It is estimated that about 25% of all modern medicines are
medica, which is obtained from natural sources – mostly directly or indirectly derived from higher plants.[2–5] Accord-
plants.[1] ing to the World Health Organization,[6] because of poverty
Herbal drugs have been used since ancient times as medi- and lack of access to modern medicine, about 65–80% of
cines for the treatment of a range of diseases. Medicinal the world’s population that lives in developing countries
plants have played a key role in world health. In spite of the depends essentially on plants for primary health care.
great advances observed in modern medicine in recent Herbal medicinal preparations are normally very popular in
decades, plants still make an important contribution to developing countries with a long tradition in the use of
health care. Medicinal plants are distributed worldwide, but medicinal plants and also in some developed countries such
they are most abundant in tropical countries. Over the past as Germany, France, Italy and the USA where appropriate
decade, interest in drugs derived from higher plants, espe- guidelines for registration of such medicines exist.[7–16]
© 2014 Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 67, pp. 1–19 1
Aconitum review Eric Nyirimigabo et al.
this group for the interaction with the binding site at the OH OMe
Na+ channel protein.
It is also intriguing that napelline and heteratisine have MeO
been reported to have an anti-arrhythmic effect,[64,111] O R4
although there was no activity-dependent inhibition of
neuronal activity in the hippocampus slice.[74,112] These find-
ings imply that at least napelline and heteratisine might R1 N
have different affinities to various subtypes of the α-subunit O OH
R2
of the Na+ channel in brain and heart.
MeO OMe R3
Toxicology of Aconitum
Figure 4 General structure of Aconitum.
In recent years, a large number of studies have investigated
the toxicological characteristics of Aconitum, its main alka-
spur poisoning, there has been a great effort to develop vac-
loids and their derivatives.[22] It has been observed that the
cination against diterpene alkaloids. The vaccination of
whole plant of Aconitum is highly toxic, with the concentra-
mice with lycoctonine conjugated to protein slightly
tion of toxic compounds higher in roots and flowers than in
increased the LD50 for intravenous methyllycaconitine tox-
leaves and stems.[113] The symptoms of toxicity affect mainly
icity. This result suggests that vaccination may be useful in
the central nervous system and the heart, with concomitant
decreasing the toxic effects of diterpene alkaloids in
gastrointestinal signs. The cause of death is the develop-
animals.[120]
ment of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and heart arrest. No
The toxicity of Aconitum is mainly due to the diester
specific therapy exists for Aconitum poisoning; cardiovascu-
diterpene alkaloids (DDAs) and monoester diterpene
lar supportive treatment is usually applied.[114]
alkaloids (MDA) such as AC, deoxyaconitine, MA, benzoyl-
Accidental human poisoning may occur if Aconitum
mesaconitine, jesaconitine, benzoylhypaconine, 14-O-
roots are used as cooking material instead of horseradish or
anisoylaconine, benzoylaconine and HA[121,122] (Figure 4 and
parsley. As herbal medicine is becoming increasingly
Table 3).
popular, Aconitum toxicosis are becoming more prevalent.
Some of the alkaloids may be highly toxic; even 2 mg of
In Europe, poisonings with home-made Aconitum prepara-
AC can cause fatal human toxicosis. The acute oral LD50 of
tions have recently been reported.[115,116] Poisoning with pro-
AC in mice is 1.8 mg/kg, while for benzoylhypaconine the
cessed Aconitum preparations of Oriental medicine are
LD50 is 830 mg/kg. Moreover, different species possess
common in Asia.[117] Although processing reduces the toxic-
diverse sensitivities. The intravenous LD50 dose of AC was
ity of the preparations, AC-like alkaloids are detectable in
found to be 0.07–0.13 mg/kg in cats and 0.5 mg/kg in dogs.
different TCMs.[118] Because both activation of Na+ channels
The toxicity of Aconitum diterpene alkaloids is closely
and inhibition of nAChRs are characteristic of esterified
related to their effects on the Na+ channels and nAChRs.[123]
alkaloids, it is assumed that reduction of the total alkaloid
Most of the cardiovascular and neurologic features of poi-
amount or hydrolysis of the ester groups decreases the
soning with Aconitum can be explained on the basis of acti-
toxicity.
vation of the Na+ channels in excitable tissues, including the
Boiling markedly reduces the alkaloid content: the
myocardium, nerve and muscle, which results in the final
initial 1.10–1.56% alkaloid content of the raw tubers of
inexcitability of the cells. Quantitative structure-activity
A. carmichaeli decreased to 0.14–0.29% during the prepara-
relationship analysis of C-19 diterpene alkaloids has
tion of Fu tzu. The Japanese method of processing signifi-
revealed that, apart from the activators of Na+ channels,
cantly decreases the proportion of AC-type alkaloids (from
compounds esterified with N-(methylsuccinyl) anthranilic
10.89–17.27% of the overall alkaloids to 3.87–4.59%).[23]
acid on C-18 belong to the most toxic diterpene alkaloids.
As a consequence of the high diversity of the processing
This is connected with the selective nAChR inhibitory activ-
methods, the variability of the alkaloid content of the pro-
ity of such compounds.[124]
cessed drugs and the narrow therapeutic index of the alka-
loids, poisoning may still occur after the consumption of
Aconitum poisoning and traditional
processed aconite roots. Accordingly, processed Aconitum
detoxification processes
preparations are relatively unsafe products of the Oriental
materia medica. The knowledge of Aconitum toxicity was well noted in
Different Aconitum species, together with plants of the various areas of its medicinal application. This resulted in
Delphinium genus, frequently cause cattle poisoning in the the development of various traditional processing methods
flowering period.[119] To reduce the losses attributed to lark- before its application.
10 © 2014 Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 67, pp. 1–19
Machine Translated by Google
Mukesh Kr. Singh et al., (2012) Int. J. Res. Farmasi. Sains, 3(2), 242-246
ISSN: 0975-7538
Mengulas artikel
www.ijrps.pharmascope.org
Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Jalan Kohka, Kurud, Bhilai-491024, India
ABSTRAK
Aconitine (Queen of Poisons) dan alkaloid terkait yang ditemukan dalam spesies Aconitum adalah cardiotoxins dan neurotoxins
yang sangat beracun. Aconite adalah tanaman tahunan herba, terutama berasal dari belahan bumi utara, tumbuh di tanah yang
lembab tetapi memiliki drainase yang baik di padang rumput gunung. Saat ini, lebih dari 120 spesies tanaman telah ditemukan.
Keracunan aconite yang parah terjadi setelah konsumsi tanaman liar secara tidak sengaja atau konsumsi ramuan herbal yang
terbuat dari akar aconite. Makalah ulasan ini membahas beberapa aktivitas farmakologis tanaman aconite dan konstituen
utamanya aconitine. Pengaruh KB-R7943, penghambat pertukaran natrium-kalsium (NCX), pada aritmia yang diinduksi aconitine
pada babi Guinea menggunakan rekaman EKG menekan aktivitas listrik abnormal, tetapi SEA tidak menunjukkan efek seperti
itu. Aconitine juga memediasi status fosforilasi Cx43 dan PKCÿ dalam miosit ventrikel tikus neonatus yang dikultur. Laporan-
laporan yang dikumpulkan ini sangat menggembirakan dan menunjukkan bahwa tanaman tersebut harus dipelajari lebih mahal
untuk manfaat terapeutiknya.
*
Akar: Fasikulus memanjang.
Penulis yang sesuai
Email: mukeshbiotech09@gmail.com Daun: Basal dan caline; petiolate daun proksimal; daun distal
Hubungi: +91-9691699320 sessile; daun kol bergantian. Helaian daun secara palmate
Diterima pada: 30-12-2011 terbagi menjadi 3-7 ruas; segmen akhir sempit elips atau
Direvisi pada: 03-03-2012
lanset ke linier; mar gins menorehkan dan bergigi.
Diterima pada: 14-03-2012
242 ©JK Welfare & Pharmascope Foundation | Jurnal Penelitian Internasional dalam Ilmu Farmasi
Machine Translated by Google
Mukesh Kr. Singh et al., (2012) Int. J. Res. Farmasi. Sains, 3(2), 242-246
Aconitum kurilense wilayah lisan. Ini meluas ke seluruh tubuh, mulai dari
ekstremitas. Anestesi, berkeringat dan pendinginan tubuh,
Aconitum kusnezffii (Kusnezoff Monkshood)
mual dan muntah dan gejala serupa lainnya mengikuti
Aconitum kuzenevae (en.wikipedia.org, 2011).
Ini dengan cepat diserap melalui selaput lendir, tetapi juga Metode enzim immunoassay (EIA) yang andal dikembangkan
melalui kulit. Kelumpuhan pernapasan, dalam dosis yang sangat untuk penentuan kuantitatif aconitine dengan sensitivitas dan
tinggi juga henti jantung, menyebabkan kematian. Beberapa spesifisitas tinggi. Albumin serum sapi (BSA) dan -galaktosidase
berkonjugasi sebagai im-
menit setelah parestesia pencernaan dimulai, yang meliputi kesemutan
©JK Welfare & Pharmascope Foundation | Jurnal Penelitian Internasional dalam Ilmu Farmasi 245
Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)
Volume 4 Article 1
5-19-2021
Adisa Paric
University of Sarajevo, adisacausevic@hotmail.com
Sabina Dahija
University of Sarajevo, sabina_dudevic@yahoo.com
Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons,
and the Plant Sciences Commons
Recommended Citation
Karalija, Erna; Paric, Adisa; Dahija, Sabina; Besta Gajevic, Renata; and Cavar Zeljkovic, Sanja (2021)
"Aconitum lycoctonum L.: Phenolic Compounds and Their Bioactivities," Poisonous Plant Research (PPR):
Vol. 4, p. 1-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/18k5-jp31
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/poisonousplantresearch/vol4/iss1/1
Abstract
The very first report on the phenolic composition of aerial parts of Aconitum lycoctonum L., a species
belonging to the toxic Aconitum genus, is presented here. Aerial parts were subjected to the extraction
with four different solvents and analyzed via LC-MS/MS for the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids.
Furthermore, isolated extracts were tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Ethanolic extracts
of both flowers and vegetative parts (leaves and stems) were found to be the richest in the phenolic
compounds, following the water extracts. Ethanolic extract of flowers was very rich in flavonoid apigenin,
while high levels of salicylic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids were found in the same extract of leaves and
stems. On contrary, water extract contained significant amounts of kaempferol and rosmarinic acid. All
extracts showed potent antioxidant activity, which is correlated with the content of phenolics. The
antimicrobial assay showed that all extracts, except aqueous, were quite potent against all microbial
organisms tested.
Keywords
phenolic compounds; LC-MS/MS; antioxidant activity; antimicrobial activity; Aconitum lycoctonum L.
Introduction
The genus Aconitum consists of more than 300 species that are mainly perennial
herbs, distributed in the Northern Hemisphere (Singh et al. 2002). Due to the
presence of diterpenoid alkaloids, the majority of the plants of this genus are found
to be highly toxic (Wink 2009), although Aconitum lycoctonum had medicinal use
in ancient times (Hartwich 1897). Main neurotoxins from this species are alkaloids
aconitine, mesaconitine, and lycoctonine, found in plant tubers. They activate
sodium channels which cause numbness in muscle and paralysis (Singh et al. 2002;
Wink 2009).
Many of the Aconitum species are used for medicinal purposes as analgesic
and anti-inflammatory medicaments (Aslam and Ahmad 2016). Scientific interest
in this genus is mainly due to alkaloids present that are carriers of many
pharmacological properties. Moreover, flavonoids as chemotaxonomic markers
have also been studied, but there are only a few studies on their biological activities
(Srivastava et al. 2010).
There is a need for more phytochemical studies to be carried out on this
genus, thus, this study comprises the investigation of phenolic compounds and
antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts of aerial parts of Aconitum
lycoctonum L. (Figure 1). As phenolic compounds are a large group of plant
secondary metabolites, we used four different solvents to ensure more
comprehensive isolation of divergent compounds.