Aconitine alkaloids from tubers of Aconitum heterophyllum and A-balfourii:: Critically endangered medicinal herbs of Indian Central Himalaya

Aconitum heterophyllum Wall and A. balfourii Stapf (Ranunculaceae), important medicinal herbs of the alpine and sub alpine belts of the Himalayan region are source of major diterpenoid alkaloids, namely aconitine and pseudoaconitine. Quantification of these alkaloids was carried out in tubers collected from higher altitudes in Kumaun and Garhwal regions of India, following column, thin layer and high performance liquid chromatography with an aim of identifying elites. The aconitine levels in different populations of A. heterophyllum varied from 0.13-0.75% (dry weight basis); maximum and minimum levels were detected in tubers from Phurkia (3260 in attitude) and Kafni (3400 in), respectively. In A. balfourii the amount of aconitine and pseudoaconitine also varied and ranged from 0.13-0.83% and 0.06-0.62%, respectively. Highest level of pseudoaconitine (0.62%) was recorded from Phurkia Bugyal (3430 in) while the lowest and about ten-fold less value (0.06%) was recorded in tubers from Kafni population (3400 in); highest level of aconitine (0.83%) was recorded in tubers collected from Phurkia Bugyal (3430 in) while the lowest values were found in samples from Kedarnath population (3600 m). The active principle content could not be correlated with the altitudinal difference.