On the Toxicity of Fu-Tze (Aconitum chinense)

Boiling with Liquorice and old ginger together, the toxicity of Fu-Tze has been greatly reduced due to chemical changes of alkaloids it contains. The Toxicity of Fu-Tze is indenpendent of the total amount of alkaloids contained. Its LD₅₀ in mice by oral administration is five-fold larger than those by intraperitoneal injection. In intact animal (rabbits and guinea pig) the changes of E.C.G. in Fu-Tze intoxication is similar with those in aconitine, i.e. showing of heart rate blocking of conduction, ventricular extrasystole, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrilillation. The pattern of E.C.G. changes by intoxication can be alleviated but the mortality can't be modified by large dose of atropine.