Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Morphology, chemical composition, and biological activities of Aconitum balfourii: a comprehensive review of important Himalayan and highly exploited medicinal plant
Kumar Vikrant, Sharma Rajni Kant, Singh Sunil K., Arora Kiran, Joshi Mukesh C., Rawat Preeti, Singh Madhulika
Review Articles | Published: 02 August, 2024
First Page: 1690
Last Page: 1704
Views: 2033
Keywords: Alkaloids, Agrotechniques, Conservation strategies, Medicinal properties, Phytochemicals
Abstract
The Himalayan region of India, known for its rich biodiversity, includes numerous medicinal plants such as Aconitum balfourii Stapf. This review critically examines A. balfourii, focusing on its classification, distribution, medicinal significance, and the pressing need for conservation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Studies on the taxonomy, geographical distribution, medicinal applications, and conservation status of A. balfourii were included, incorporating both in vitro and in vivo research, as well as ethnobotanical and conservation studies. Predominantly found in Uttarakhand, A. balfourii contains key alkaloids such as pseudoaconitine, aconitine, picroaconitine, haemonepellene, and benzylaconitine. These compounds exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardiotonic, and vermifuge properties. Despite its medicinal potential, A. balfourii is declining due to overexploitation, climate change, and insufficient regeneration rates. Traditionally, A. balfourii has been used to treat fever, swelling, sciatica, rheumatic pain, neuralgia, and other ailments. Recent research has identified new norditerpenoid alkaloids, expanding their pharmacological profile. Studies on the plant’s adaptability to different altitudes and elevated CO2 levels highlight its growth and secondary metabolite production. Micropropagation techniques and efficient DNA isolation protocols have been developed to preserve its genetic diversity. This review underscores the necessity for both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies for A. balfourii. Coordinated efforts among governmental bodies, research institutions, and local communities are vital for its sustainable use and long-term preservation. Enhancing awareness of its medicinal value and ecological significance is essential to ensure its conservation, thereby supporting the biodiversity of the Himalayan region and traditional medicinal practices.
References
Agrawal T (2018) Ethnobotany of the Aconitum ferox. World J Pharm Res 7(5):214–217
Ahmad M, Ahmad W, Ahmad M, Zeeshan M, Obaidullah SF (2008) Norditerpenoid alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall with antibacterial activity. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 23(6):1018–1022
Bahuguna R, Purohit MC, Rawat MSM, Purohit AN (2000) Qualitative and quantitative variations in alkaloids of Aconitum species from Garhwal Himalaya. J Plant Bio 27(2):179–183
Bisht VK, Negi JS, Bh AK, Sundriyal RC (2013) Traditional use of medicinal plants in district Chamoli, Uttarakhand. India J Med Plants Res 7(15):918–929
Boktapa NR, Sharma AK (2010) Wild medicinal plants used by local communities of Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. Ethnobot Leafl 14:259–267
Brown JP, Grocott MP (2013) Humans at altitude: physiology and pathophysiology. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain 13(1):17–22. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mks047
Camp (2003) Threat assessment and management priorities of selected medicinal plants of Western Himalayan states, India. In: Proceedings of the conservation Assessment of Medicinal PlantsWorkshop, Shimla, FRLHT, Bangalore, India p 22–26.
Cash JT, Dunstan WR (1905) The pharmacology of indaconitine and bikhaconitine. J Chem Soc 87:1636. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1905.0040
Chandra N, Singh G, Rai SL, Datt I, Tewari LM (2021) Alpine medicinal and aromatic plants in the western Himalaya, India: an ecological review. Indian J Ecol 48(2):319–331
Chandra S, Chandola V, Sultan Z, Singh CP, Purohit VK, Nautiyal BP, Nautiyal MC (2022) Climate change adversely affects the medicinal value of Aconitum species in Alpine region of Indian Himalaya. Ind Crops Prod 186:115277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115277
Chandra S, Lata H (2022) Effect of altitude on biochemical and photosynthetic characteristics of Aconitum balfourii and Podophyllum hexandrum: high value endangered medicinal herbs from Himalayas 195–203.
Choudhary M, Kumar V, Malhotra H, Singh S (2015) Medicinal plants with potential anti-arthritic activity. J Intercult Ethnopharmacol 4(2):147–179. https://doi.org/10.5455/jice.20150313021918
Dargan PI, Gawarammana IB, Archer JRH, House IM, Shaw D, Wood DM (2008) Heavy metal poisoning from Ayurvedic traditional medicines: an emerging problem? Int J Environ Health 2(3/4):463. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJENVH.2008.020936
Das K, Gezici S (2018) Review article Plant secondary metabolites, their separation, identification and role in human disease prevention. Ann Phytomed 7(2):13–24. https://doi.org/10.21276/ap.2018.7.2.3
Gao F, Li YY, Wang D, Huang X, Liu Q (2012) Diterpenoid alkaloids from the Chinese traditional herbal “Fuzi” and their cytotoxic activity. Molecules 17(5):5187–5194. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17055187
Gaur RD (1999) Flora of the district Garhwal, North West Himalaya. Transmedia Publication, Srinagar (Garhwal), pp 51–59
Gautam RK, Roy K, Thapa G, Arora D, Parashar S, Gurung B, Deb L (2020) Perspective of plant medicine in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Indian J Pharm Sci 82(5):741–765
Gondval M, Chaturvedi P (2013) Antimicrobial activity of crude alkaloid extract of Aconitum balfourii Stapf. Pantnagar J Res 11(3):417–420
Gondval M, Chaturvedi P, Gaur AK (2016) Thidiazuron-induced high frequency establishment of callus cultures and plantlet regeneration in Aconitum balfourii Stapf.: an endangered medicinal herb of North-West Himalayas. IJBT NISCAIR-CSIR 15(2):251–255
Gowthami R, Sharma N, Pandey R, Agrawal A (2021) Status and consolidated list of threatened medicinal plants of India. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68(6):2235–2263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01199-0
Hatwal D, Bist R, Pathak K, Chaturvedi P, Bhatt JP, Gaur AK (2011) A simple method for genomic DNA isolation for RAPD analysis from dry leaves of Aconitum balfourii Stapf. (Ranunculaceae). J Chem 3(3):505–510
Jacquemart AL, Buyens C, Hérent MF, Quetin-Leclercq J, Lognay G, Hance T, Quinet M (2019) Male flowers of Aconitum compensate for toxic pollen with increased floral signals and rewards for pollinators. Sci Rep 9(1):16498. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53355-3
Jaiyati R, Rajdeo K, Ashish C, Archana S, Ruchi B (2016) A survey to explore the herbal wealth and its utility as edibles, ethnomedicine and ethno-veterinary practices in Nanda Devi biosphere reserve (NDBR), Uttarakhand as a step to Bio prospection. Pharm Anal Acta 7(11):1000514
Jamtsho T, Yeshi K, Samten W, Wangchuk P (2022) Comparative analysis of two Himalayan Aconitum species for their phytopharmaceutical properties. J Herb Med 32:100497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100497
Jyothi A, Naga A, Rajalakshmi R, Bharati AS (2016) Vatsanabha: an agada perspective. Int Ayurv Med J 4(7):1235–1241
Kadota Y (1987) A revision of Aconitum subgenus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) of East Asia. Sanwa Shoyaku Co., Ltd, Utsunomiya, pp 1–65
Kala CP, Farooquee NA, Dhar U (2004) Prioritization of medicinal plants on the basis of available knowledge, existing practices and use value status in Uttaranchal, India. Biodivers Conserv 13:453–469. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIOC.0000006512.48660.8a
Khetwal S (2007) Constituents of high altitude Himalayan herbs. A C-19 diterpenoid alkaloid from Aconitum balfourii. Indian J Chem 4:1364
Khetwal KS, Desai HK, Joshi BS, Pelletier SW (1994) Norditerpenoid alkaloids from the aerial parts of Aconitum balfourii Stapf. Heterocycles (sendai) 38(4):833–842. https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-94-S(N)44
Khetwal KS, Joshi BS, Desai HK, William PS (1992) Alkaloids of Aconitum balfourii Stapf. Heterocycles (Sendai) 34(3):441–444. https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-92-5963
Kumar A, Mitra M, Adhikari BS, Rawat GS (2013) Additions to plant wealth of Nanda Devi biosphere reserve, Western Himalaya. Indian Forester 139:959–961
Kunwar RM, Shrestha KP, Bussmann RW (2010) Traditional herbal medicine in Far-west Nepal: a pharmacological appraisal. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 6(1):35. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-6-35
Lakhanpal NL (1998) ITO (HS) Classification of export and import items 1997–2002 (Amendment in Schedule 2, Appendix 2). List of medicinal plants prohibited. Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, New Delhi, p 155–156.
Lama YC, Ghimire SK, Aumeeeruddy-Thomas Y (2001) Medicinal plants of Dolpo, Amchis’s Knowledge and conservation. WWF Nepal program.
Liu ZL, Cao J, Zhang HM, Lin LL, Liu HJ, Du SS, Zhou L, Deng ZW (2011) Feeding deterrents from Aconitum episcopale roots against the red flour beetle. Tribolium Castaneum J Agric Food Chem 59(8):3701–3706. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf200265t
Maikhuri RK, Nautiyal S, Rao KS, Saxena KG (1998) Medicinal plant cultivation and biosphere reserve management: a case study from the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Himalaya Curr Sci 74(2):157–163
National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (2008) Agro-techniques of selected medicinal plants, TERI press; New Delhi, Vol 1, pp 5–11. https://www.fdcm.nic.in/PDF/Agro-techniques%20of%20selected%20medicinal%20plants%20Vol%20-%20I%20Part%20-%20I.pdf
Nautiyal BP, Vinay P, Maithani UC, Bisht H, Nautiyal MC (2002) Population study of three aconites species in Garhwal for the monitoring of species rarity. Trop Ecol 43(2):297–303
Nautiyal BP, Nautiyal MC, Rawat N, Nautiyal AR (2009) Reproductive biology and breeding system of Aconitum balfourii (Benth) Muk: A high altitude endangered medicinal plant of Garhwal Himalaya. India Res J Med Plants 3(2):61–68. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjmp.2009.61.68
Negi VS, Maikhuri RK, Maletha A, Phondani PC (2019) Ethnobotanical knowledge and population density of threatened medicinal plants of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci 43:63–73
Nooreen Z, Rai VK, Yadav NP (2018) Phytopharmaceuticals: a new class of drug in India. Ann Phytomed 7(1):27–37. https://doi.org/10.21276/ap.2018.7.1.4
O’Neill AR, Badola HK, Dhyani PP, Rana SK (2017) Integrating ethnobiological knowledge into biodiversity conservation in the eastern Himalayas. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 13:21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-017-0148-9
Pandey H, Nandi SK, Nadeem M, Palni LMS (2000) Chemical stimulation of seed germination in Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. and A. balfourii Stapf: important Himalayan species of medicinal value. Seed Sci Technol 28(1):39–48
Pandey H, Chandra B, Nadeem M, Kumar A, Nandi SK, Palni LM (2002) In vitro propagation of some alpine medicinal herbs of the Himalayan region. In: Nandi SK, Palni LMS, Kumar A (eds) Role of plant tissue culture in biodiversity conservation and economic development. Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital India, pp 297–323
Pandey H, Nandi SK, Kumar A, Palni UT, Chandra B, Palni LM (2004) In vitro propagation of Aconitum balfourii Stapf.: an important aconite of the Himalayan alpines. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 79(1):34–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2004.11511723
Pandey A, Morya GCK, Mishra HS, Yadav RB, Yadav KN (2017) A review study on therapeutic potential of vatsnabha (Aconitum ferox Wall.ExSeringe). Int J Ayurveda Pharm Chem 6(2):271–277
Pandey H (2002) Studies in relation to cotyledonary senescence and tissue culture of medicinally important alpine herbs. PhD thesis. Kumaun University, Nainital, India, p 246.
Pathak K, Hatwal D, Bisht R, Pathak DC, Gaur AK (2011) Study of biochemical variability in four populations of Aconitum balfourii by soluable protein and isoenzyme electrophoretic pattern. J Chem Pharm Res 3(3):295–301
Phondani PC, Maikhuri RK, Rawat LS, Farooquee NA, Kala CP, Vishvakarma SR, Rao KS, Saxena KG (2010) Ethnobotanical uses of plants among the Bhotiya tribal communities of Niti valley in central Himalaya, India. Ethnobot Res Appl 8:233–244. https://doi.org/10.17348/era.8.0.233-244
Rahman AU, Fatima N, Akhtar F, Choudhary MI, Khalid A (2000) New norditerpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum falconeri. J Nat Prod 63(10):1393–1395. https://doi.org/10.1021/np9904824
Rai L, Sharma E (1994) Medicinal plants of the sikkim Himalaya: status, uses and potential, pub. Govind Ballabh pant institute by Singh. B Singh, M.P.; p. 25–27.
Sahoo S, Swain TR, Dash NC (2013) Study on the pharmacological profile of purified Aconitum ferox extracts in frog. Int J Res Pharm Biomed Sci 4(3):746–753
Salgado VL (2016) Antagonist pharmacology of desensitizing and non-desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cockroach neurons. Neurotoxicology 56:188–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2016.08.005
Samant SS, Dhar U, Palni LMS (1998) Medicinal plants of Indian Himalaya: diversity, distribution and potential values HIMAVIKAS. 13, Gyan. Nainital: Prakash.
Schindler CW, Goldberg SR (2012) Accelerating cocaine metabolism as an approach to the treatment of cocaine abuse and toxicity. Future Med Chem 4(2):163–175. https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.11.181
Semwal DP, Saradhi P, Nautiyal BP, Bhatt AB (2007) Current status, distribution and conservation of rare and endangered medicinal plants of Central Himalayas, India. Curr Sci 92:1733–1738
Shah NC (2005) Conservation aspect of Aconitum species in the Himalayas with special reference to Uttaranchal India. Med Plant Conserv 11:9–15
Sharma E, Gaur AK (2012) Aconitum balfourii Stapf: a rare medicinal herb from Himalayan Alpine. J Med Plants Res 6(22):3810–3817. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR11.1213
Sharma E, Gaur AK (2014) Optimization of DNA isolation protocol of Aconitum balfourii Stapf.: a rare medicinal herb of Himalayan alpine. IJBT NISCAIR-CSIR 13(1):62–66
Sharma E, Gaur K, Punetha H, Gaur AK (2012) In vitro regeneration of Aconitum balfourii Stapf: a rare medicinal herb from Himalayan alpine through root explants. Res J Med Plants 6(4):318–325. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjmp.2012.318.325
Sharma E, Pandey S, Gaur AK (2016) Identification and expression analysis of DXS1 gene isolated from Aconitum balfourii Stapf. Acta Physiol Plant 38:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-016-2256-2
Sharma N, Pandey R, Gowthami R (2020) In vitro conservatin and cryopreservation of threatened medicinal plants of India. In: Rajasekharan PE, Wani SH (eds) Conservation and utilization of threatened medicinal plants. Springer, India, pp 181–228
Sher H, Jan HA, Ur Rahman I, Hussain W, Kunwar RM, Bussmann RW, Paniagua-Zambrana NY (2021) Aconitum balfourii Stapf. Aconitum ferox Wall. ex. Ser. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Aconitum læve Royle Aconitum naviculare (Bruhl) Stapf. Aconitum spicatum Stapf. Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf var. violaceum (Ranunculaceae) Springer Nature Switzerland AG. In: Kunwar R, et al., editors. Ethnobotany of the Himalayas, ethnobotany of mountain regions. Spinger, Cham. p 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57408-6_10
Shyaula SL (2011) Phytochemicals, traditional uses and processing of Aconitum species in Nepal. Nepal J Sci Technol 12:171–178. https://doi.org/10.3126/njst.v12i0.6496
Singh A, Kuniyal CP, Lata H, Rajasekaran C, Prasad P, Bhadula SK, Purohit AN (1998) In vitro propagation of Aconitum atrox (Bruhl). Muk., a threatened medicinal herb from Garhwal Himalaya. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 4:171–174
Singh B, Chauhan RS, Vashistha RK, Nautiyal MC, Prasad P (2012) Ecological features of Aconitum balfourii (Bruhl) Muk.—an endangered medicinal plant in the northwest Himalaya. J for Res 23:145–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-012-0245-5
Singh M, Chettri A, Pandey A, Sinha S, Singh KK, Badola HK (2020) In vitro propagation and phytochemical assessment of Aconitum ferox wall: a threatened medicinal plant of Sikkim Himalaya. Proc Natl Acad Sci India Sect B Biol Sci 90(2):313–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-019-01104-x
Singhai A, Ahmad Y, Patil UK (2022) Phyto-therapeutic potential of Aconitum ferox roots in CFA-induced arthritis in rat model. Indian J Pharm Educ Res 56(4):S725-735
Srivastava N, Sharma V, Kamal B, Dobriyal AK, Jadon VS (2010) Polyphenolics free DNA isolation from different types of tissue of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall-endangered medicinal species. J Plant Sci 5(4):414–419. https://doi.org/10.3923/jps.2010.414.419
Subramoniam A, Madhavachandran V, Gangaprasad A (2013) Medicinal plants in the treatment of arthritis. Ann Phytomed 2(1):3–36
Sultankhodzhaev MN, Nishnov AA (1995) Proposed biogenesis of diterpenoid alkaloid. Chem Nat Prod 31:283–298
Tsarong TJ (1995) Tibetan medicinal plants, Tibetan medical publications, medicinal plants of Nepal
Uniyal B (2003) Utilization of medicinal plants by the rural women of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Indian J Trad Knowl 2(4):366–370
Xiao K, Wang L, Liu Y, Peng C, Yan G, Zhang J, Zhuo Y, Li H (2007) Study of aconitine toxicity in rat embryos in vitro. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol 80(3):208–212. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdrb.20116
Yu X, Liu H, Xu X, Hu Y, Wang X, Wen C (2021) Pharmacokinetics of yunaconitine and indaconitine in mouse blood by UPLC-MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1179:122840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122840
Author Information
Department of Chemistry, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India