Objective: To study the processing principles of different processed products of Aconitum pendulum.
Method: Using high performance liquid chromatography and acute toxicity test to compare the changes in chemical composition and toxicity of the roots and processed products of A. pendulum.
Result: The main toxic components of the roots of A. pendulum were aconitine, deoxyaconitine and 3-acetylaconitine. The contents of these three alkaloids were significantly reduced in processed products, while benzoylaconitine significantly increased. In addition, processed products emerged aconine, polyschistine-D, beyzoyldeoxyaconine, 16-epi-pyroaconitine and 16-epi-pyrodeoxyaconitine. From the structural analysis, these new emerged compounds transformed from the aconitine, deoxyaconitine and 3-acetylaconitine.
Conclusion: Different processing methods can reduce the toxicity of the roots of A. pendulum. Processing principle is ester hydrolysis and high-temperature pyrolysis.