Aconitum soongaricum

Aconitum soongaricum is a poisonous perennial herbaceous plant species of the genus Aconitum.

Aconitum soongaricum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aconitum
Species:
A. soongaricum
Binomial name
Aconitum soongaricum

Distribution and habitat

Aconitum soongaricum is endemic to Kashmir.,[1] China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan (the Dzungarian Alatau, Trans-Ili Alatau and Tarbagatai Mountains), at elevations of 2,500–3,000 meters. The specific name soongaricum means 'native to Dzungaria' - a region currently forming the northern part of Xinjiang in NW China, but bearing a name meaning 'land of the left-hand (i.e. 'western') Mongols'.[2]

Toxicity

All parts of the plant contain alkaloids associated with aconitic acid (primarily aconitine), but their concentration depends on the phase of vegetation. Spring shoots before flowering are the richest in alkaloids.[3]

Uses

Aconitum soongaricum has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, narcotic, antitumor, analgesic and antispasmodic effects.

The action is due to alkaloids, mainly aconitine, which is one of the most powerful plant poisons. When applied to the skin, it causes itching, followed by anesthesia. Aconitine poisoning, regardless of the method of administration, manifests itself in the form of itching and tingling in various parts of the body; aches; severe burning and pain in the gastrointestinal tract; and increased salivation. At the same time, dizziness, darkening in the eyes, dilated pupils, blanching of the skin, difficulty in breathing and cardiac arrhythmia are noted. Death occurs from respiratory arrest. Extreme toxicity limits the medicinal use of this plant[4]

References
  1. Wang Wencai (王文采), Michael J. Warnock. Aconitum soongoricum. Flora of China
  2. S. Frederick Starr (15 March 2004). Xinjiang: China's Muslim Borderland. M.E. Sharpe. pp. 30–. ISBN 978-0-7656-3192-3.
  3. Hammerman, A.F.; Thunder, I.I. (1976), Wild-growing medicinal plants of the USSR. (in Russian), Moscow
  4. Tsitsin, N.V. (1962). Atlas of medicinal plants of the USSR (in Russian). Moscow: Medghiz. pp. 20, 702.
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