Evaluation of the accumulation of dry substance and active componentsevaluation of the accumulation of dry substance and active components of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata

OBJECTIVE: To study the accumulation rules of dry substance and active components in the Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata for providing the basic evidences to collection time. METHODS: The Roots were collected periodically and their fresh weight and dry weight were measured. The contents of total alkaloids and three diester aconitum alkaloids aconitine, hypaconitine and mesaconitine were determined by titration and HPLC respectively. RESULTS: During the stage of root inflation, the content of total alkaloids was at a certain level, while the content of diester aconitum alkaloids were increased gradually. The total amount of alkaloid and diester aconitom alkaloids were increased rapidly from the last third of April to the middle third of June, and then maintained at relative constant levels and were decreased from the first third of July. CONCLUSION: It is more preferable to collect the Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata during the period from the last third of June to first third of July.