The alum-processing mechanism attenuating toxicity of Araceae Pinellia ternata and Pinellia pedatisecta

Abstract

Alum solution could decrease the toxicity of P. ternata (Thunb.) Breit. and P. pedatisecta Schott. Since it made a special crystal structure of raphides damage and the protein of lectin dissolve. The structure of toxic substances significantly changed, which decreased the inflammatory effect.

Metabolomic analysis of raw Pinelliae Rhizoma and its alum‐processed products via UPLC–MS and their cytotoxicity

“…It has been reported that alum processing could destroy the special crystal structure of raphides and dissolve the protein of lectin in PT (Yu, Pan, et al, ) that induces inflammation of the mucosa. However, our studies revealed that the contents of the chemical constituents, especially the water‐soluble constituents, were decreased greatly during the processing because of the soaking in alum solution for several days.…”

“…Modern pharmacological studies have revealed that P. ternata tuber (PT) has multiple activities, including sedative–hypnotic (Wu et al, ), anticarcinogenic (Li et al, ), antiasthmatic (Kim et al, ), antiemetic (Kurata et al, ) and anti‐inflammatory (Lee et al, ) activities. However, raw PT shows significant toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity (Zhao et al, ), reproductive toxicity (Xie et al, ) and mucosal irritation (Yu, Pan, et al, ). Raw PT is always treated with an alum solution prior to use for medicinal purposes.…”

“…It was reported that the noteworthy effect on the mucosa of raw PT may be related to the production of inflammatory mediators induced by toxic raphides (Zhao et al, ) or lectins (Yu, Zhao, et al, ). Further studies (Yu, Pan, et al, ) revealed that alum processing could decrease the toxicity by damaging the special structure of calcium oxalate raphides and dissolving and degrading the lectins. Although the content of calcium oxalate in PT was decreased (Liang, Liu, & Zhang, ) after alum processing, the chemical profile was also changed greatly because other chemical constituents in PT, including alkaloids, fatty acids, cerebrosides, organic acids, volatile oils and phenylpropanoids, may interact with or dissolve in the alum solution during processing.…”

Comparison of the active components of Aster tataricus from different regions and related processed products by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

“…At present, research focusing on pharmacological activities shows that the processing method is a significant factor influencing compositional characteristics. Moreover, these processing procedures contribute to alleviating side effects, enhancing efficacy or relieving toxicity . Therefore, the CHM processing methods play an important role in clinical applications.…”

“…procedures contribute to alleviating side effects, enhancing efficacy or relieving toxicity [5][6][7]. Therefore, the CHM processing methods play an important role in clinical applications.…”