Metabolomics as An Emerging Tool for ^the Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies on Aconitum Alkaloids

Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) possesses a rich historical legacy within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it has been utilized for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, the potency of Aconitum alkaloids—the primary active constituents of Aconitum—also imparts considerable toxicity. Hence, evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of these Aconitum alkaloids is the key to ensure clinical effectiveness and safety. Metabolomics, a quantitative technique for determining low-molecular-weight metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, affords comprehensive metabolic state of multiple systems in vivo. This technique has emerged as a pivotal investigative tool for facilitating the estimation of their efficacy and toxicity, identification of potential sensitive biomarkers, and furnishing a bright avenue for unraveling the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms governing TCM. This review centers on the utilizations of metabolomics in pharmacological and toxicological researches of Aconitum alkaloids in recent years and emphasizes the important role of metabolomics in exploring compatibility detoxification and the mechanism of TCM processing, to seek more feasible measurements for the characterization of toxic medicinal plants.