Human & experimental toxicology
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The principal toxic ingredients of aconite roots include aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine, which are known cardiotoxins and neurotoxins. A 58-year-old man took a decoction of 11 g each of processed 'chuanwu' (the main root of Aconitum carmichaeli) and processed 'caowu' (the root of A. kusnezoffii) as treatment for his neck pain. One hour later, he experienced numbness of tongue and the four limbs, generalized weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness. ⋯ He had bradycardia for 36 hours (6-41 hours after ingestion), with a heart rate of 45-68 beats/min (mean 56.5). On discharge (48 hours after ingestion), his blood pressure was 117/82 mmHg and heart rate 70 beats/min. In patients with aconite poisoning, prolonged hypotension and sinus bradycardia may occur and supportive therapy with close monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac rhythm are essential.