Investigate the toxic components diterpenoid alkaloids. Existing evidence of the application of A. ferox.

1. Prospective of Vatsanabha (Aconitum
ferox Wall. Ex. ser ) in Cancer treatment
- a review study.
Prerok Regmi1, Ravikrishna S.2, Chaithra H.3
1PG Scholar, Agadatantra Department, SDM college of
Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India
2Associate Professor, Agadatantra Department, SDM college
of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India
3Professor and HOD, Agadatantra Department, SDM college of
Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap
Abstract No: 46

2. Introduction
• Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox Wall.ex. Ser) is a
Mahavisha (most toxic).
• Varieties of Ayurvedic formulations after the
procedure of Shodhana (purification
technique).
• Presence of highly poisonous alkaloids.
• Indian variety have a great demand in the
world markets.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

3. Purpose
• Investigate the toxic components diterpenoid
alkaloids.
• Existing evidence of the application of A.
ferox.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

4. Methods
1. Ayurveda literature and ethnobotanical study
were analysed.
2. Literature were extracted from the Pubmed
indexed journals indexing “Cancer AND
Aconitum.
3. Major ingredients extracted from A. ferox
species were individually evaluated.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

5. Results
• Herbal drug practioners at Higher Himalayas used as a
universal antidote. The root is used to treat malignant
tumors.
• Closely related species to ferox from extreme
Himalayan mountain ecology has bore relevance to
modern disease pathologies including inflammation,
tumor and infections.
• Diterpeniod alkaloids tend to exhibit improved after
simple structural modification.
• Conversion of alkaloid Aconitine (LD50 - 0.08 mg/kg) to
Benzoylaconine (LD50 - 24 mg/kg) improving its
safety.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

6. Literature extracted from the Pubmed indexed journals
shows few researches has been done with respect to A
ferox. Invitro and invivo study of other species of
Aconitum is extensively done.
A. ferox species is 1.5 times as active as Aconitum
chasmanthum and seven times then Aconitum nepellus
Pseudaconitine, Aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine,
bikhaconitine, chasmaconitine, indaconitine etc.
diterpenoid alkaloids are major constituents of A.
ferox.
These chemical constituents responses are emerging as
frontline treatment agents for cancer.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in
AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

7. Genomics support
The in-vitro growth inhibitory activities MCF-
7 HCT-116 HepG2
Inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Protective autophagy through p53 activation,
ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling cascade.
Synergistic combinations of drugs in
formulation.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in
AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

8. Phytochemical
• C18 diterpeniod alkaloids:
– Lappaconitine inhibiting voltage dependent sodium channels.
• C19 diterpeniod alkaloids:
– Aconitine
– Aconitane
– Pseudaconitine
– Hypaconitine
– Mesaconitine
• C20 diterpeniod alkaloids:
- Cammaconitine
- Pseudokobusine
• Bis-diterpenoid alkaloids:
- Benzylaconine esters
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in
AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

9. Compounds Cancer types Cell lines
Lycaconitine Fibroblast carcinoma KB V20C
Aconitine Oral squamous cell carcinoma KBv200
Oral squamous cell carcinoma KBv200
Hepatoma carcinoma Hepal-6
Hepatoma carcinoma HePG2
Colon cancer HCT8
Breast cancer MCF7
Pseudaconitine Colon cancer MHC-I gene and protein
expression
Aconitane Leukemia HL-60
Deoxyaconitine Hepatoma carcinoma HePG2
Colon cancer HCT8
Breast cancer MCF7
Hepatoma carcinoma HePG2
Hypaaconitine Colon cancer HCT8
Breast cancer MCF7
Hepatoma carcinoma HePG2
Mesaconitine Colon cancer HCT8
Breast cancer MCF7
Hepatoma carcinoma HePG2
Benzoylaconine Colon Cancer HCT-15
Lung cancer A549
Breast cancer MCF-7
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in
AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

10. Conclusion
• Treatment on different Vyadhi (disease) with
the context of Mahavisa .
• Potentiality of most toxic alkaloids on the
cancerous cell inhibition.
• Emerging technique of network pharmacology
can serve as a valuable tool.
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap

11. Acknowledgements
• Department of Agadatantra, SDM college of
Ayurveda, UDUPI.
Source of funding: None
Conflict of interest: None
Conclave on Cancer Care & Research in AYUSH: Developing a Roadmap