Determination of Aconitum alkaloids in the tubers of Aconitum japonicum using gas chromatography/selected ion monitoring

A rapid, specific and precise method using GC/SIM was applied to separate and quantify Aconitum alkaloids in Aconitum tubers. The TMS derivatives of each alkaloid produced a well defined peak on selected ion recording (SIR). Good linear response over the range of 100 pg - 7.5 ng was demonstrated for each alkaloid. Furthermore, we investigated the changes in the contents of Aconitum alkaloids, i.e., hypaconitine, mesaconitine, aconitine, and jesaconitine, in Aconitum tubers paying special attention to the harvesting season. Mesaconitine had the highest value in all seasons. Mesaconitine and aconitine showed the highest value in the samples harvested in May 1991 while hypaconitine had the highest value among those harvested in December 1990. As to the total amount of the alkaloids, the highest value, 4190 microg/g, and the lowest value, 1881 microg/g, were observed in the samples harvested in May and September, respectively. GC/SIM was very useful for the determination of Aconitum alkaloids in the tubers.     

Physicochemical quality evaluation of natural compounds isolated from crude drugs

Aconite root has high toxicity caused by diester alkaloids, thus it was necessary to define the limiting value of diester alkaloids used in medicine formulation. To give the quality of “Processed Aconite Root” and “Powdered Processed Aconite Root” in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (14th edn, supplement II), we established the official specification and evaluation methods of standard substances. High qualitative grade diester alkaloids, aconitine, hypaconitine, jesaconitine and mesaconitine, which were useful to evaluate the purity of processed aconite root and powdered processed aconite root, were prepared and evaluated for their stability. We studied the physicochemical specification and evaluation methods of these alkaloids. In addition, an “Aconitum diester alkaloids standard solution for purity”, which was used for the purity test, was prepared, and we also studied its physicochemical specification and evaluation methods. In addition, to evaluate the quality of processed aconite root and powdered processed aconite root, a TLC identification test was established. A monoester alkaloid of benzoylmesaconine hydrochloride was used as the reference standard in the latter test, and we also investigated its physicochemical specification and evaluation methods.     

Simultaneous determination of three aconitum alkaloids in urine by LC-MS-MS

A sensitive method has been developed for the identification and quantification of the toxic alkaloids yunaconitine, crassicauline A, and foresaconitine in urine specimens. After solid-phase extraction using Oasis MCX cartridges, the extracts were analyzed by LC-MS-MS. The limit of detection is 0.03 ng/mL urine for yunaconitine and 0.05 ng/mL urine for crassicauline A and foresaconitine; the limit of quantitation is 0.15 ng/mL urine for yunaconitine and 0.20 ng/mL urine for crassicauline A and foresaconitine. The method was employed in the analysis of the urine of a 55-year-old male who died after ingestion of herbal medicine powder made from the roots of aconite. Yunaconitine, crassicauline A and foresaconitine were identified in the urine. Crassicauline A and foresaconitine were thus identified in a biological specimen for the first time.     

Urinary excretion of ipecac alkaloids in human volunteers

Limited data are available regarding urinary excretion of ipecac alkaloids in humans. In this study, ipecac syrup was administered po to 12 healthy human volunteers at a dose of either 20 mL or 30 mL, and urinary excretions of cephaeline and emetine as well as blood and vomit concentrations were detected by HPLC. All participants showed vomiting after the 30 mL dose within 1 h, whereas 2/6 did not show vomiting within 4 h after the 20 mL dose. Percentage recovery of alkaloids in vomit were 39 +/- 38 or 76 +/- 14% after the 20 mL or 30 mL doses, respectively. In most participants, plasma alkaloids reached their maximum levels within I h and became undetectable after 6 h. Total excretions of ipecac alkaloids into the urine within the first 48 h were less than 2%, but both alkaloids were detectable in the urine at 2w in all participants and could be detected up to 12w in 1/2 participants who did not vomit. These results show that ipecac alkaloids may be detectable in urine several weeks after ingestion and suggest that their detection in urine may be helpful to identify the Munchausen syndrome by proxy using ipecac syrup.     

Fatal aluminum phosphide poisoning

A 39-year-old man committed suicide by ingestion of aluminum phosphide, a potent mole pesticide, which was available at the victim's workplace. The judicial authority ordered an autopsy, which ruled out any other cause of death. The victim was discovered 10 days after the ingestion of the pesticide. When aluminum phosphide comes into contact with humidity, it releases large quantities of hydrogen phosphine (PH3), a very toxic gas. Macroscopic examination during the autopsy revealed a very important asphyxia syndrome with major visceral congestion. Blood, urine, liver, kidney, adrenal, and heart samples were analyzed. Phosphine gas was absent in the blood and urine but present in the brain (94 mL/g), the liver (24 mL/g), and the kidneys (41 mL/g). High levels of phosphorus were found in the blood (76.3 mg/L) and liver (8.22 mg/g). Aluminum concentrations were very high in the blood (1.54 mg/L), brain (36 microg/g), and liver (75 microg/g) compared to the usual published values. Microscopic examination revealed congestion of all the organs studied and obvious asphyxia lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma. All these results confirmed a diagnosis of poisoning by aluminum phosphide. This report points out that this type of poisoning is rare and that hydrogen phosphine is very toxic. The phosphorus and aluminum concentrations observed and their distribution in the different viscera are discussed in relation to data in the literature.     

The determination of morphine in urine and oral fluid following ingestion of poppy seeds

In workplace drug-testing programs, the use of heroin, morphine, and codeine is currently determined by the analysis of urine specimens. It has been shown that ingestion of poppy seeds can cause a positive test result for morphine. In an attempt to differentiate positive results caused by poppy seed ingestion from those caused by heroin or morphine abuse, the screening cutoff concentration for urine opiates in the federal workplace drug-testing program was raised to 2000 ng/mL from 300 ng/mL. Currently, oral fluid is under consideration as a possible alternative to urine for drug testing. The suggested cutoff for oral fluid morphine is 40 ng/mL; however, the effect of poppy seed ingestion on morphine concentrations in this specimen type has not been widely investigated. Volunteers at two separate sites ingested commercially available poppy seeds and/or poppy seed bagels. Oral fluid and urine samples were collected at both sites. Oral fluid samples were collected for 24 h; urine was collected for 2 days. The samples were analyzed for the presence of codeine and morphine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Morphine concentrations greater than the suggested cutoff concentrations were detected in oral fluid up to 1 h and in urine for up to 8 h. This study has demonstrated that a positive result for morphine in oral fluid may be due to the ingestion of poppy seeds.     

Radiochromatography studies on the metabolism of 3H-cyclophosphamide in sheep]

Radiochromatic analyses were made in serum and urine sample fractions as well as in extracts of different organs of a ewe and a ram up to 5 and 14 days, resp., after a single oral dose of 30 mg 3H-cyclophosphamide/kg bodyweight. In a polar and an unpolar system cyclophosphamide (CPM) and up to 7 more hydrophilic and up to 5 more lipophilic metabolites could be characterized by their typical Rf-values. The following results were obtained: 1. At the maximum (1 h p.a.) CPM only showed 25 percent of the total serum concentration and a very short half-life (t 1/2) in the fall of concentration of about 1 h. It was to be analysed up to 48 h. The intensive metabolism was confirmed by a low renal excretion of about 1 percent of the dose. The lipophilic metabolites showed very low concentrations in serum except of 4-keto-CPM, which was analysed over a limited time with higher concentrations but a short half-life; 3 and 8 percent, resp., of dose were excreted in form of this metabolite with urine. 2. 1 or 2, resp., more hydrophilic metabolites with alkylating activity are the chief breakdown products of CPM in sheep. Their part of the total serum concentration falls from 50 percent at the maximum to 25 percent after 24 h. 40 percent of the oral dose were eliminated with urine in form of these metabolites. NH-mustard was found in very low concentration in serum and urine. The course of concentration of these alkylating substances (t 1/2 2 h) corresponds very well with the concentration of the total alkylating activity (NBP-test). 3 mainly hydrophilic metabolites were analysed in all serum and urine samples. 3. More than 90 percent of the residual concentrations found in the organs and tissues after killing the animals were due to alkylating reactions with biologically active metabolites. The analysed more lipophilic breakdown products in the extracts of organs seem to be metabolized to inactive, more hydrophilic substances. CPM was found in smallest concentrations (mug/kg) only in lungs and thymus of the ewe and in kidneys and muscle of the ram. The alkylating main metabolite was questionably analysed only in liver and lung of the ewe. The alkylating reactions reach their maximum at about 2 h p.a. and may be terminated by 48 h p.a.     

Sub-Chronic Oral Exposure to Iridium (III) Chloride Hydrate in Female Wistar Rats: Distribution and Excretion of the Metal

Iridium tissue distribution and excretion in female Wistar rats following oral exposure to iridium (III) chloride hydrate in drinking water (from 1 to 1000 ng/ml) in a sub-chronic oral study were determined. Samples of urine, feces, blood and organs (kidneys, liver, lung, spleen and brain) were collected at the end of exposure. The most prominent fractions of iridium were retained in kidney and spleen; smaller amounts were found in lungs, liver and brain. Iridium brain levels were lower than those observed in other tissues but this finding can support the hypothesis of iridium capability to cross the blood brain barrier. The iridium kidney levels rose significantly with the administered dose. At the highest dose, important amounts of the metal were found in serum, urine and feces. Iridium was predominantly excreted via feces with a significant linear correlation with the ingested dose, which is likely due to low intestinal absorption of the metal. However, at the higher doses iridium was also eliminated through urine. These findings may be useful to help in the understanding of the adverse health effects, particularly on the immune system, of iridium dispersed in the environment as well as in identifying appropriate biological indices of iridium exposure.     

Excretion of codeine and morphine following ingestion of poppy seeds

After the ingestion of three poppy-seed bagels, the following codeine and morphine concentrations were determined in the urine: 214 ng/mL codeine and 2797 ng/mL morphine at 3 h, and 16 ng/mL codeine and 676 ng/mL morphine at 22 h. This work indicates that a positive finding of codeine or morphine in the urine of an individual does not necessarily indicate heroin, morphine, or codeine use.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of colchicine in postmortem body fluids. Case report of two fatalities and review of the literature

Poisoning by colchicine may occur following ingestion of this alkaloid used for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis. The authors report two fatalities and describe a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) triple-quadrupole method for the determination of colchicine in autopsy samples. One milliliter of heart blood, femoral blood, urine, bile, gastric, and vitreous each were extracted with saturated NH4Cl at pH 9.6 and dichloromethane/5% isopropanol. Separation was achieved on a C18-Xterra column with a mobile phase consisting of 2 mM ammonium formate buffer (pH 3)/acetonitrile in a gradient mode. Four product ions of the protonated molecule were monitored. The method was fully validated in whole blood (1 mL) and was linear in the range of 0.5-50 ng/mL (r2>0.99). The limit of detection was 0.1 ng/mL (50 times S/N), and the limit of quantitation was 0.5 ng/mL with RSDs<11.8% intraday (n=6), <18.7% interday (n=18), and accuracy<3% (n=18). Case #1: a 33-year-old nurse committed suicide by the ingestion of 80 colchicine 1-mg tablets. She died 61 h later after resuscitation procedures. Colchicine was found in heart blood at 5.2 ng/mL, femoral blood at 17.4 ng/mL, urine at 19.4 ng/mL, bile at 42.8 ng/mL, gastric at 348 ng/mL, and vitreous at 3 ng/mL. Case #2: a 57-year-old man with gout was found dead at home. Colchicine was found in heart blood at 22.8 ng/mL, femoral blood at 21.9 ng/mL, lung blood at 45.2 ng/mL, urine at 148.5 ng/mL, bile at 1818.5 ng/mL, gastric at 219.8 ng/mL, and vitreous at 0.5 ng/mL. These results were consistent with death. Because of its good sensitivity, this LC-ESI-MS-MS triple-quadrupole method is suitable for the determination of colchicine not only in fatalities but also for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Studies on structural elucidation of Aconitum diterpenoid alkaloid by LC-APCI-MS and effects of Aconitum diterpenoid alkaloid on cutaneous blood flow

The chemical constituents of Aconitum yesoense var. macroyesoense and Aconitum japonicum were examined using high-resolution spectral analysis. Twelve novel alkaloids were isolated from A. yesoense var. macroyesoense together with 20 known alkaloids. Eight novel alkaloids were isolated from A. japonicum together with 15 known alkaloids. An HPLC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS) method was useful for the simultaneous determination of 21 Aconitum alkaloids found in A. yesoense var. macroyesoense and A. japonicum. These compounds were fairly stable under the conditions used, and the protonated molecules or fragment ions characteristic of the molecule appeared as base peaks in the mass spectra and were used for selected ion monitoring. HPLC-APCI-MS is a very promising approach for structural investigations of positional isomers and stereoisomers. This method was applied successfully to stereoisomeric Aconitum alkaloids differing in configuration at C-1, -6, or -12. Comparison of the APCI spectra showed that the abundance of fragment ions was significantly higher for the C-1, -6, or -12 beta-form alkaloid than for C-1, -6, or -12 alpha-form alkaloid. The main alkaloid constituents in the root of A. yesoense var. macroyesoense, Aconitum alkaloids of the C20-diterpenoid type, kobusine and pseudokobusine, and their acyl derivatives were examined for their peripheral vasoactivities by measuring laser-flowmetrically the cutaneous blood flow in the hind foot of mice after intravenous administration. It is thought that the hydroxyl groups of alkaloids, especially a free OH group of pseudokobusine at C-6, were important for action on the peripheral vasculature leading to dilatation, and the results indicated that esterification of the hydroxyl group at C-15 with either anisoate, veratroate, or p-nitroben-zoate may contribute to enhancement of the activity of the parent alkaloids.     

草乌花及其煎煮液中二萜生物碱的电喷雾串联质谱研究草乌花及其煎煮液中二萜生物碱的电喷雾串联质谱研究

目的 对草乌花及其煎煮液中的二萜生物碱进行定性分析,说明煎煮前后化学成分发生的变化。 方法用注射泵自动进样,电喷雾离子阱串联质谱直接分析草乌花及其煎煮液中生物碱混合物。结果 在生草乌花中发现3个新生物碱,草乌花煎煮后其中的双酯型生物碱和三酯型生物碱都发生水解,前者水解为苯甲酰乌头原碱和乌头原碱类生物碱,后者水解为3-乙酰-乌头原碱类生物碱。结论 该法简便、快速、灵敏、特异性强,为乌头属植物煎煮液中的生物碱分析提供了新途径。     

附子炮制品及其煎煮液6种生物碱的含量测定

目的从附子炮制品来源、煎煮、配伍等方面评价其的安全性和有效性,为临床用药的提供一定参考依据。方法采用高效液相色谱法同时测定不同来源附子炮制品、单方煎煮和复方煎煮液中6种生物碱含量,综合评价附子炮制品的质量及煎煮、配伍对其有效成分和毒性成分的影响。结果不同来源黑顺片中6种生物碱含量差异较大,单酯型生物碱在0.303 5~1.394 8 mg/g之间,双酯型生物碱的含量在0~0.094 0 mg/g之间;炮附片生物碱含量偏低,单酯型生物碱在0.099 0~0.213 5 mg/g之间;两种炮制品经煎煮后,双酯型生物碱基本消失,单酯型生物碱含量也有所降低,其中黑顺片单煎液的溶出率为58.92%,炮附片单煎液的溶出率为87.87%,其复方煎煮液中单酯型生物碱含量均比单煎液偏高。结论 12批黑顺片中6种生物碱含量均符合药典要求,炮附片中生物碱含量偏低,不合格现象明显,煎煮液中双酯型生物碱含量基本消失,毒性更小,与甘草和干姜配伍后,有增效作用。     

附子心脏毒性及配伍减毒增效机制研究进展

附子来源于毛茛科植物乌头Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.,最主要的毒性反应表现为心脏毒性和神经毒性,其中心脏是主要的靶器官之一。目前普遍认为附子所致心脏毒性是由双酯型二萜生物碱直接或间接作用于心脏的结果,其毒性机制与Ca²⁺超载、脂质过氧化反应、细胞凋亡以及迷走神经兴奋性增高有关。研究发现附子与其他传统中草药配伍能通过影响体内代谢过程、抗Ca²⁺超载、抗氧化应激、抗凋亡等机制发挥减毒增效作用。就近年来国内外对附子心脏毒性及配伍减毒增效相关机制的研究进展进行综述,以期为附子的深入研究和临床安全用药提供参考。     

The relationship between growth of the aerial part and alkaloid content variation in cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aconitum carmichaeli</Emphasis> Debeaux

Processed root of aconite, Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux—known as bushi in Japan—is indispensable for treating diseases among elderly persons in Japanese and Chinese traditional medicine. Its active component is bushi diester alkaloid (BDA), which consists of aconitine (ACO), mesaconitine (MES), hypaconitine (HYP), and jesaconitine (JES). Since an overdose of BDA results in severe side effects, the BDA content should be within safe limits. However, the BDA content of raw aconite root, even that produced by standard cultivation procedures, varies greatly. In this study, to clarify the cause of BDA variation, we examined the weight and BDA content of each part of cultivated A. carmichaeli: the aerial part, the mother tuberous root (MT), the daughter tuberous root (DT), and the rootlet (RL). We found the following positive relationships: between aerial part weight and DT weight, aerial part weight and BDA content in stem of apex, and BDA content in stem of apex and total BDA of DT attached to the plant. Furthermore, DT belonging to a higher weight group showed less BDA content variation. In addition, BDA of DT and those of MT and RL differ in both content and composition. In conclusion, it was suggested that the weight or the size of the aerial part was a good marker for monitoring BDA content and its variation in the tuberous root, and it was found to be desirable to prevent mixing MT and RL at harvest.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a new partricin A derivative (N-dimethylaminoacetyl-partricin A 2-dimethylaminoethylamide diaspartate) in mice

A single-dose trial in mice (1.25 mg/kg SPA-S-753 or 1 mg/kg amphotericin B [AmB] by intravenous route) was performed to study the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and urinary excretion of a new polyene, SPA-S-753 (N-dimethylaminoacetyl-partricin A 2-dimethylaminoethylamide diaspartate), in comparison with AmB. Antibiotic concentrations were determined by microbiological assay (agar diffusion method). The elimination half-lives in serum were 15.1 and 19.8 h, respectively, for SPA-S-753 and AmB; the area under the curve from 0 to infinity values were 49.3 for SPA-S-753 and 23.6 microg. h/mL for AmB, because of the higher serum levels of SPA-S-753 found just after administration. The tissue concentrations of SPA-S-753 were lower than those of AmB in liver and lungs but higher in the kidneys. The urine concentrations of SPA-S-753 and the percent of the administered dose recovered from the urine were quite low in mice, whereas those of AmB were higher.     

Release of mercury from dental amalgam fillings in pregnant rats and distribution of mercury in maternal and fetal tissues

Mercury vapor released from a single amalgam restoration in pregnant rats and mercury concentrations in maternal and fetal rat tissues were studied. Dental treatment was given on day 2 of pregnancy. Mercury concentration in air sample drawn from the metabolism chamber with the rat was measured serially for 24 h on days 2, 8 and 15 of pregnancy. An average mercury concentration in the air samples from the rats given amalgam restorations was 678.6+/-167.5 ng/day on day 2. The average mercury concentration in the air samples tended to decline as time elapsed but a marked amount (423.2+/-121.5 ng/day) was observed even on day 15. The amount of mercury in the air samples increased 7--20-fold after chewing. The placement of the single amalgam restoration (3.8--5.5 mg in weight) increased the levels of mercury approximately three to 6 times in the maternal brain, liver, lung, placenta and 20 times in the kidneys. The highest mercury concentration among fetal organs was found in the liver, followed by the kidneys and brain. Mercury concentrations in maternal organs and fetal liver were significantly higher than those of the controls, and concentrations in maternal whole blood, erythrocytes and plasma, and in fetal whole blood were also significantly higher. Mercury concentrations in the fetal brain, liver, kidneys and whole blood were lower than those of the maternal tissues.     

Evaluation of Syva EMIT Toxicological Serum Tricyclic Antidepressant Assay

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is a common, potentially life-threatening finding in patients seen in emergency departments. There is a need to rapidly differentiate the TCA overdose from others in the emergency unit population. The Syva EMIT Toxicological Serum Tricyclic Antidepressant Assay for serum tricyclic antidepressant levels on 87 patients being evaluated for possible TCA overdose in the emergency department of the University of Cincinnati Hospital was examined. Serum tricyclic antidepressant concentrations were also determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and comprehensive urine drug screening was performed by several methods. The EMIT assay correctly identified all 53 negative patients whose TCA levels were less than 300 ng/mL. The remaining 34 patients had positive TCA levels greater than 300 ng/mL by EMIT; however, 22 were confirmed by HPLC. Phenothiazines and phenothiazine metabolites were present in the remaining 12 unconfirmed patients, indicating a cross reaction with this class of drugs. It was concluded that the assay is useful to exclude the presence of serious TCA ingestion when a result of less than 300 ng/mL is obtained. However, a result of greater than 300 ng/mL is not specific for TCAs only, as evidenced by the cross reactions obtained with phenothiazines.     

Methadone and metabolite urine concentrations in patients maintained on methadone

As regulatory control over methadone maintenance relaxes, the need for methods of monitoring compliance will increase. In community clinics, monitoring would most likely involve immunoassays of outpatients' trough urine specimens. There are no published norms for such data. Therefore, we determined concentrations of methadone in 1093 urine specimens collected thrice weekly in 27 outpatients during up to 17 weeks of observed methadone ingestion (35 to 80 mg/day) using a semiquantitative homogeneous enzyme immunoassay (CEDIA). We used a separate CEDIA assay to measure methadone's main metabolite, 2-ethylidene-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), which may help detect compliance in fast metabolizers or patients who adulterate samples to simulate compliance. Methadone concentrations were more variable than those of EDDP. Concentrations of methadone were < 100 ng/mL in one specimen, between 100 and 300 ng/mL in 27, and >or= 300 ng/mL in all others. EDPP concentrations were >or= 100 ng/mL in all specimens, suggesting that EDDP should be detectable in urine from compliant patients. Methadone and EDDP concentrations significantly increased with methadone dose and (in one participant with poor clinic attendance) significantly decreased following missed methadone doses. Nevertheless, variability was too great to permit estimation of methadone dose (or detect a single missed administration) from any single specimen.