Identification of the toxic constituents in Rhizoma Coptidis

Aim of the study Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian) is a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine However, it causes human as well as animal toxicities In this study, we aimed to ascertain the toxic constituents in Rhizoma Coptidis. Materials and methods. The acute toxicity of both the total extract and the alkaloid-rich extract of Rhizoma Coptidis were tested in mice. The dose related tissue concentration of the Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids in mice was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection The influence of phenobarbital sodium [a non-selective hepatic enzyme (P450) inducer] on the acute toxicity of Rhizoma Coptidis as well as the tissue concentration of the alkaloids was investigated The cytotoxicity of the Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids was tested in six cell lines using the MU assay Results The median acute oral lethal dose of the total extract of Rhizoma Coptidis was 2.95 g/kg in mice The alkaloid-rich extract was much more toxic than the total extract of Rhizome Coptidis. Four Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids were detected in brain, heart, and lung tissues of mice that received the oral total extract of Rhizoma Coptidis Tissue concentration increased nonlinearly with higher doses. Phenobarbital sodium decreased the tissue concentration of every alkaloid as well as the toxicity of Rhizoma Coptidis All alkaloids, especially berberine, showed dose and time dependent cytotoxicity Conclusions The toxic constituents of Rhizoma Coptidis were the alkaloids, mainly berberine (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved.