Is the Indian aconite poisonous?
Aconites are the species under genus Aconitum. Though almost all these species are poisonous, Aconitum ferox (Indian Aconitum) is much more dangerous as compared to others and that is why also known as king of poisons. On the one hand, aconitine is very unstable and decomposed easily in the human body. On the other hand, it is not detected routinely for common toxicology analysis in present forensic practice.Aconitum Ferox is a highly toxic with the estimated fatal dose of 1g of root powder with a fatal period of 6 hours which contains a potent cardiotoxin and neurotoxin known as Aconitine.Published reports indicate that aconite tincture and raw aconite roots can be absorbed through the skin into systemic circulation to cause fatal and non-fatal aconite poisoning.Aconite has pain-relieving (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory properties and improves digestive function and contractility of the cardiac muscle (cardiotonic). The safety margin of the therapeutic window is very narrow, however, the use of aconite is risky and dangerous because of its toxicity with even low doses.The toxic mechanisms of aconitine poisoning primarily involve cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Hair analysis is valuable for assessing chronic exposure, while feces can serve as an alternative for postmortem detection. Alcohol enhances the absorption and toxicity of aconitine, lowering the threshold for a lethal dose.
How poisonous is Aconitum?
Introduction: Aconitine and related alkaloids found in the Aconitum species are highly toxic cardiotoxins and neurotoxins. The wild plant (especially the roots and root tubers) is extremely toxic. Aconitum sp. Aconite acts by blocking the sodium channels in excitable tissues in the myocardium, nerves, and muscles resulting in tissue depolarization [1, 2].The poison is not named by Shakespeare, but is now thought to be aconite, otherwise known as “wolfsbane” or “monkshood”. Aconite species contain several poisonous chemicals, the most deadly of which is aconitine. Aconitine can kill by dramatically slowing down the heart, leading to cardiac arrest.Its flowers were useful in potion-making, but its leaves were very toxic. The root of aconite could be used as a potion ingredient. Aconite was most commonly known as an ingredient of Wolfsbane Potion, but it was also an ingredient in Wideye Potion.Aconite is one of the lethal poisons used in therapeutics of Ayurveda. It is sold under the name of Vatsanabha in Indian market. The aconite is generally found as mixture of different species of Aconitum, due to the close morphological similarity of the different species of aconites.
What is the Indian name for Aconitum?
Aconitum chasmanthum roots (Vatsnabha) It is synonymously called Indian Napellus. In Hindi it is known by the name Mohri and in Kashmiri Ban-bal-nag. Roots of Aconitum are used as a drug and have similar uses as that of A. Roots of Aconitum are used as a drug and have similar uses as that of A. The plant is found in Kashmir, Lahaul and in Chamba forest division of Himachal Pradesh. The toxic component of Aconitum chasmanthum is the alkaloid aconitine.
Does aconite cause paralysis?
As little as 2 mg of pure aconite or 1 g of plant may cause death from paralysis of the respiratory center or cardiac muscle. Clinically important toxicity may develop following percutaneous absorption; even slight contact with the flowers can cause fingers to become numb. Exposure to aconite may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, followed by neurological symptoms such as paresthesia’s, and ultimately potentially lethal cardiac sequela [1].Most fatal intoxications resulted from ventricular fibrillation and respiratory depression [8,9]. The lethal dose of aconitine for humans is estimated to be between 1 mg and 5 mg [7,10,11]. Most of the intoxications are accidental after ingestion of plant tubers or improperly prepared aconite decoction.Following enteral absorption, aconite mediates a range of cellular effects via voltagegated sodium channels. Poisoning, with myocardial complications, usually develops within 15-30 minutes following ingestion of the plant leaves or roots. The effects of poisoning are classically dose related [4].Introduction: Aconitine and related alkaloids found in the Aconitum species are highly toxic cardiotoxins and neurotoxins. The wild plant (especially the roots and root tubers) is extremely toxic.