ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the effect of glycyrrhizin(GZ) and glycyrrhefinic acid(GA) on reducing the toxicity of Radix Aconiti Laterlis(RAL) and its mechanisms of action. METHODS: Radix Aconiti Laterlis(RAL),RAL with Radix Glycyrrhizae(RG),RAL with GZ,RAL with GA were boiled for 30 min,respectively.HPLC was used to measure the concentrations of aconitine and hypaconitine in the different decoctions.Meanwhile,the acute toxicity of the above decoctions was determined by oral and intraperitoneal administration in mice respectively. RESULTS: By oral administration,the acute toxicity of the decoctions of RG with RAL and GE with RAL was obviously lower than that of RAL.The acute toxicity of the decoction of GA with RAL was slightly reduced when compared with that of RAL.By intraperitoneal administration,the acute toxicity of GA with RAL was obviously higher than that of RAL.RG significantly restrained the dissolution of alkalines contained in RAL into the decoction.But GA and GZ increased the dissolution of the alkalines. CONCLUSION: By oral administration,RG could reduce the acute toxieity of RAL.Restraint on the dissolution of the toxic alkalines contained in RAL into the decoction may be in part the reasons.But GA and GZ are not the effective components reducing the dissolution of the toxic alkalines.They may combine with the toxic alkalines,postpone the absorption of the combined compounds through gastrointestinal tract,and reduce the acute toxicity of RAL by oral administration.