Diterpenoid alkaloids of Aconitum laciniatum and mitigation of inflammation by 14-O-acetylneoline in a murine model of ulcerative colitis

Sci Rep. 2015 Aug 4:5:12845. doi: 10.1038/srep12845.

Abstract

Aconitum laciniatum is used in Bhutanese traditional medicine for treating various chronic infections and inflammatory conditions. We carried out in-depth isolation and characterization of the phytochemicals from the root component and determined the anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds against chemically-induced colitis in mice. Five diterpenoid alkaloids - pseudaconitine, 14-veratroylpseudaconine, 14-O-acetylneoline, neoline, and senbusine A - were isolated from A. laciniatum for the first time. Two of the alkaloids were tested for anti-inflammatory properties in the TNBS-induced colitis model in mice. Various parameters were measured to assess pathology including weight loss, clinical and macroscopic scores, histological structure and IFN-γ production in the gut. Of the two alkaloids tested, 14-O-acetylneoline showed significant protection against different parameters of colitic inflammation. Compared to control mice that received TNBS alone, mice treated with 14-O-acetylneoline experienced significantly less weight loss and had significantly lower clinical scores, macroscopic pathology and grades of histological inflammation. Moreover, colonic IFN-γ mRNA levels were significantly reduced in mice that received 14-O-acetylneoline compared to control mice that received TNBS alone. This alkaloid is now considered a novel anti-colitis drug lead compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aconitine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Aconitine / isolation & purification
  • Aconitine / pharmacology
  • Aconitum / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / chemically induced
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / metabolism
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / pathology
  • Colon / drug effects*
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Colon / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Weight Loss / drug effects

Substances

  • 14-O-acetylneoline
  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Diterpenes
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Aconitine