Alkaloids from Veratrum taliense Exert Cardiovascular Toxic Effects via Cardiac Sodium Channel Subtype 1.5

Toxins (Basel). 2015 Dec 30;8(1):12. doi: 10.3390/toxins8010012.

Abstract

Several species of the genus Veratrum that produce steroid alkaloids are commonly used to treat pain and hypertension in China and Europe. However, Veratrum alkaloids (VAs) induce serious cardiovascular toxicity. In China, Veratrum treatment often leads to many side effects and even causes the death of patients, but the pathophysiological mechanisms under these adverse effects are not clear. Here, two solanidine-type VAs (isorubijervine and rubijervine) isolated from Veratrum taliense exhibited strong cardiovascular toxicity. A pathophysiological study indicated that these VAs blocked sodium channels Na(V)1.3-1.5 and exhibited the strongest ability to inhibit Na(V)1.5, which is specifically expressed in cardiac tissue and plays an essential role in cardiac physiological function. This result reveals that VAs exert their cardiovascular toxicity via the Na(V)1.5 channel. The effects of VAs on Na(V)1.3 and Na(V)1.4 may be related to their analgesic effect and skeletal muscle toxicity, respectively.

Keywords: NaV1.5; Veratrum taliense; cardiovascular toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart / physiology
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Macaca
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NAV1.3 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / physiology
  • NAV1.4 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / physiology
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / physiology*
  • Plant Roots
  • Rats
  • Veratrum*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • NAV1.3 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • NAV1.4 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • SCN5A protein, human