Aconitum
Aconitum, commonly known as monkshood or wolfsbane, is a genus of striking flowering plants famous for their hooded blooms. While celebrated for their beauty, these perennials contain potent alkaloids that make them highly toxic. Historically used in traditional medicine, they require extreme caution due to their lethal properties.
- Scientific name: Aconitum
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Aconitum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aconitum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is present within the territories of Great Britain. Its range also extends to the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Sweden. Consequently, the geographical presence of Aconitum is concentrated in these northernmost European locations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Chemicals
Aconitum has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aconitine, hypaconitine, lappaconitine, flavonoids, 2,5-Dihydroxy- benzoic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 46
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aconitine | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| hypaconitine | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| lappaconitine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,5-Dihydroxy- benzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-acetylaconitine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-benzoylheteratisine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aconitine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-desacetyllappaconitine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aconine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aconitum has 7 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antiarrhythmic, Antiproliferative, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiarrhythmic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neurotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aconitum has 26 reported medicinal uses identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, inflammation, analgesic, cardiac arrest, Arrhythmia.
- Total uses
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 33
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pain | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac arrest | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arrhythmia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acute kidney injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| adjuvant arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiogenic shock | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |