Diterpenoid Alkaloids from the Aerial Parts of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz

Exploring the Biomedical Potential of Terpenoid Alkaloids: Sources, Structures, and Activities

Terpenoid alkaloids are recognized as a class of compounds with limited numbers but potent biological activities, primarily derived from plants, with a minor proportion originating from animals and microorganisms. These alkaloids are synthesized from the same prenyl unit that forms the terpene skeleton, with the nitrogen atom introduced through β-aminoethanol, ethylamine, or methylamine, leading to a range of complex and diverse structures. Based on their skeleton type, they can be categorized into monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and triterpene alkaloids. To date, 289 natural terpenoid alkaloids, excluding triterpene alkaloids, have been identified in studies published between 2019 and 2024. These compounds demonstrate a spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, analgesic, and cardioprotective effects, making them promising candidates for further development. This review provides an overview of the sources, chemical structures, and biological activities of natural terpenoid alkaloids, serving as a reference for future research and applications in this area.

Hezi inhibits Tiebangchui-induced cardiotoxicity and preserves its anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects by regulating the pharmacokinetics of aconitine and deoxyaconitine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tiebangchui (TBC, dried roots of Aconitum pendulum Busch. and Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.) is a well-known Tibetan medicine for dispelling cold and relieving pain. In China, it is widely used in prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), traumatic injury, and fracture. However, its cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity seriously restrict its clinical application. Traditionally, Hezi (HZ, dry ripe fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. and Terminalia chebula Retz. var. tomentella Kurt.) is generally used in combination with TBC for the purpose of toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing, but so far we still can't clearly elucidate the compatibility effect and mechanism of the classical herbal pair.

AIM OF STUDY

To investigate the compatibility effect and mechanism of TBC co-administered with HZ.

METHODS

In the present study, we clarified the cardioprotective role of HZ on the cardiotoxicity induced by TBC. The electrocardiogram, the levels of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT), the activities of cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), and histopathology of heart tissue have been determined in each group. Meanwhile, the anti-RA effect of each group was investigated by paw swelling measurement and histopathological examination of synovial. To explore the underlying mechanism, we performed the pharmacokinetic studies of aconitine (AC) and deoxyaconitine (DE) in TBC group and TBC + HZ group by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) system.

RESULTS

TBC co-administered with HZ could significantly inhibit the increased heart rate and the prolonged QTc interval induced by TBC (p < 0.01). And TBC + HZ group had lower levels of serum cTnT, cardiac MDA, and higher levels of cardiac SOD compared with TBC group (p < 0.01). In addition, the combination of TBC and HZ could preserve the anti-RA effect of TBC. Both TBC administration alone and TBC + HZ combination administration could effectively alleviate the paw swelling (p < 0.01). Furthermore, TBC co-administered with HZ could significantly decrease the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC_(0-∞)) and maximum concentration (C_max) of AC and DE comapred with TBC administration alone (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Meanwhile, it was observed that the time to reach the peak concentration (T_max), elimination half-life (t_1/2), mean retention time (MRT) of AC and DE in TBC group were significantly higher than those in TBC + HZ group (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TBC co-administered with HZ could reduce TBC-induced cardiotoxicty and preserve its anti-RA efficacy. The underlying mechanism is associated with the change of pharmacokinetic process of AC and DE.

Tandem mass tag labeled quantitative proteomic analysis of differential protein expression on total alkaloid of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. against melophagus ovinus

Melophagus ovinus disease is a common ectoparasitosis, which can lead to a decrease in animal production performance, product quality, and even death. Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. has many pharmacological activities including insecticidal, heat-clearing, analgesic, and dehumidifying. However, there are few researches focused on the effects and related mechanism of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. in killing Melophagus ovinus. In this study, 11 alkaloids of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. were detected, and its total alkaloid activity was determined. The results showed when the total alkaloid concentration was 64 mg/ml and the treatment time was 16 h, the killing rate of Melophagus ovinus reached 100%. Through the observation of the differences in the surface of Melophagus ovinus in each experimental group, it was found that the morphology of the posterior end of the female Melophagus ovinus in the alkaloid treatment group was significantly different from that of the blank and positive control groups, and most of the epidermal tissue was obsessive and missing. Moreover, the enzyme activity determination results of 64 mg/ml group were significantly different when compared with the normal control group, while there was no significant difference in other groups. Then, the Melophagus ovinus gene library was established by the unreferenced genome transcriptome sequencing, the proteomic comparison was performed using tandem mass tag labeled protein detection technology, and finally, the samples were quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry tandem and bioinformatics methods. Based on the above experimental results, it was speculated that Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. total alkaloids may cause the imbalance of protein disulfide isomerase expressions by affecting the regulation of Hsp40 cellular protein homeostasis and the oxidation of protein disulfide isomerase and related proteins. This would affect the selective recognition of signal sequence, the targeted transport of Sec 61, and the correct folding of the three-dimensional structure of amino acid chain, weakening the clearance of amino acid chains that cannot be correctly folded and eventually resulting in the killing of Melophagus ovinus. This study preliminarily revealed the mechanism of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. total alkaloids against Melophagus ovinus and provided a theoretical basis for the screening of Melophagus ovinus action targets and the development of new veterinary drugs.

Aconitum pendulum and Aconitum flavum: A narrative review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, bioactivities and processing methods

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Composed of dried Aconitum pendulum and Aconitum flavum roots, Tiebangchui, is an important Tibetan medicine and has been traditionally and widely used as a remedy for cold and pain for thousands of years because of its extraordinary pharmacological activities. The toxicity and efficacy of Tiebangchui as a typical toxic traditional Tibetan medicine, are interdependent, and thus to make sure its safe use in clinics is also noteworthy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to document and summarize critical and comprehensive information about traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and processing methods of Tiebangchui. Perspectives for possible future investigations have been discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information about Tiebangchui (A. pendulum and A. flavum) was collected from internationally recognized electronic scientific databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, ACS, and CNKI. Then, classic Tibetan medical books, such as Four Medical Tantra, and Jing Zhu Materia Medica, and official drug standards were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 95 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Tiebangchui, and most of them were diterpenoid alkaloids. These phytochemicals showed a wide range of pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammation, anti-rheumatoid arthritis, analgesic, local anesthetic, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial activities. Hence, Tiebangchui is broadly used in hundreds of preparations to treat fever, arthritis, rheumatic arthralgia, traumatic injury, furuncle and swelling. Cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity are the main toxic effects caused by the Aconitum alkaloids of Tiebangchui. Various processing methods, including steaming, decocting and sand-frying, and traditional Tibetan medicine processing methods, such as processing with Hezi decoction, Qingke wine and Zanba, are effective in attenuating toxicity while retaining efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review provides primary information of Tiebangchui, particularly for its traditional uses, botanical characteristics, phytochemicals, outstanding bioactivities and processing methods. However, studies that explored the in vivo pharmacokinetics and mechanism of Tiebangchui, as well as its quality markers, qualitative and quantitative analysis are still insufficient. Processing methods that attenuate toxicities, evaluations of efficacy, in vivo processes and biological effects, the mechanisms of processed products should be further explored.