Cardiotoxicity after accidental herb-induced aconite poisoning
Lancet (London, England)
|November 21, 1992
Summary
Aconite alkaloids from Aconitum plants cause severe poisoning, leading to fatal heart rhythm disturbances. This highlights the urgent need for strict safety monitoring of traditional herbal remedies containing these toxic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
Background:
- Aconitine and related alkaloids from Aconitum plants are potent cardiotoxins.
- These toxic alkaloids are present in traditional Chinese herbal recipes.
- Modern Western medicine does not recognize therapeutic uses for aconite alkaloids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze cases of life-threatening intoxication resulting from accidental herb-induced aconite poisoning.
- To identify the causal agent responsible for the observed toxic effects.
- To emphasize the importance of safety surveillance for herbal substances with narrow safety margins.
Main Methods:
- Case documentation of 17 Chinese subjects with suspected aconite poisoning.
- Clinical observation of symptom onset and progression.
- Toxicological evaluation to determine the causative agent.
Main Results:
- All 17 patients exhibited symptoms of aconite toxicity within 2 hours of ingesting the herbal substance.
- The majority of patients developed severe tachyarrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation.
- Two patients died due to the cardiotoxic effects of aconite alkaloids.
Conclusions:
- Accidental ingestion of Aconitum rootstocks can lead to severe, life-threatening aconite poisoning.
- Aconite alkaloids are the primary cause of these severe toxic events.
- Strict surveillance of herbal products containing toxic compounds like aconite is crucial for public safety.
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