A comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the genus Aconitum L.

The genus Aconitum (family—Ranunculaceae) accounts for approximately 400 species worldwide, of which some are considered medicinally very relevant. Many species have been reported to possess significant pharmacological properties and high therapeutic index for curing various diseases. Traditionally, Aconitum species have been used for the treatment of different human ailments, especially, neuronal disorders, pain and inflammation, kidney related disorders, rheumatism, diabetes, hysteria and cardiac depression. These medicinal properties have been attributed to various classes of secondary metabolites found in different Aconitum species. Among them, C19 and C20-diterpenoid alkaloids are the most dynamic group of compounds, comprising of more than 450 alkaloids in various species across the genus. However, further detailed phytochemical investigations of Aconitum species could provide new therapeutic natural products of Aconitum source that could be employed in health and medicine. The present study aims to frame a well structured portfolio to provide contemporary insights of the genus Aconitum. The retrospection of all the available information on Aconitum associated with its various attributes was carried out by searching different electronic databases viz. Elsevier, PubMed, Web of Science, Scifinder, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Bio One, PLOS. The review summarizes the findings on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of various species of the genus. The toxicology and safety of Aconitum species for human consumption as herbal drugs has also been discussed.