On the Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine “Fu Zi”: Discovery, Research, and Development of Cardioactive Constituent Mesaconine

Abstract

Abstract This review summarizes the process of the discovery, research, and development of a cardioactive component, mesaconine, from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii (“Fu Zi”). To date, pre-clinical showed that mesaconine is a novel type of cardiotonic lead drug with relatively high potency, low toxicity, and a new mechanism. Graphic Abstract

Keywords

• Fu Zi
• Aconitum carmichaelii
• Diterpenoid alkaloid
• Mesaconine