Download Aconitum napellus

Drugs acting on Nervous
system
Aconite
Recap
In the last class we learnt about
The monograph of the CNS plant drug
BELLADONNA
Objectives
On completion of this class you would be able to
learn about
The monograph of the CNS Drug
ACONITE
Recap
In the last class we learnt about
• Belladonna its cultivation
• Macroscopic characters
• Active constituents, uses etc
ACONITE
Syn : Monkshood
Nabhi (Telugu)
• Biological Source :
It consists of dried roots of
Aconitum napellus
Family : Ranunculaceae
• Geographical Source :
Wild plant in Germany,
Switzerland and France
Cultivated in England
Fig.31.1
Morphological Characters
ROOT
• Shape : Parent root and
daughter roots are obconical
and tapering below
• Size : 4 -10cm long, 1-3cm in
diameter
• Surface : Slightly twisted and
longitudinally wrinkled, shows
rootlets or the scars The
parent roots are more shriveled
than daughter roots which
show apical buds
Fig.31.2
Fig.31.3
Morphological Characters
ROOT
• Fracture : Short and horny
• Odour
: Slight
• Taste
: At first slightly sweet,
later causing tingling
sensation and finally
producing numbness
of the tongue
Fig.31.4
Chemical Constituents
• Terpene ester alkaloids:
hydrolysis
Aconitine
Benzoyl aconine
+
Acetic acid
• Alkaloids found in combination with Aconitic acid
• Alkaloids Picroaconitine and Aconine are less toxic than
Aconitine
Chemical Constituents
Other alkaloids:
•
Hypaconitine
•
Neopelline
•
Nepelline
•
Neoline
•
Mesaconitine
•
Ephedrine
Chemical Constituents
Minor constituents:
• Aconitic acid
• Vitamin C
• Abundant Starch
Uses
•
Respiratory, Antipyretic and Cardiac depressant
actions
•
Mainly used externally in Neuralgia, Rheumatism and
Gout
Aconite Poisoning
• High doses or repeated doses produce Aconite
poisoning – toxic symptoms are developed
• Milk is prescribed as antidote in Aconite poisoning
• Stomach should be washed out using emetics
• Artificial respiration and stimulants (such as strychnine,
atropine and digitalis) are useful and the patient should
be kept warm
Summary
• In this class we discussed about the CNS
Plant drug – ACONITE
• Aconite contains mainly Terpene ester alkaloids
• Mainly used for its Respiratory, antipyretic and cardiac
depressant actions
Quiz
1.
Aconite belongs to the family
a) Apocyanaceae
b) Loganiaceae
c) Ranunculaceae
d) Solanaceae
Quiz
2. The plant part that is useful in Aconite is
a) Leaves
b) Flowers
c) Roots
d) None of the above
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Mention the source and macroscopy of Aconite
2.
Write the botanical source and chemical
constituents of Aconite
3. Mention the uses of Aconite