Lappaconitine (Diterpenoid Alkaloid · Analgesic · Antiarrhythmic · Informational)
| Compound | Lappaconitine (N-Deacetylranaconitine; LAC) |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Diterpenoid (C19-norditerpenoid; less toxic than C20 aconitine class) |
| CAS | 32854-75-4 |
| Primary source | Aconitum sinomontanum, Aconitum septentrionale, Delphinium spp. |
| Key applications | Pharmaceutical analgesic (China); antiarrhythmic; local anaesthetic; informational-only |
| Claim strength | High (pharmaceutical) |
| Typical form | Pharmaceutical pure isolate (lappaconitine hydrobromide tablets — Allapinin); not a supplement ingredient |
| Buy from Herbuno | Informational reference — see HerbIQ Compound Index → |
Name origin: Lappaconitine derives from Aconitum and Delphinium (lark's-spur) species in the lappaconitine-type alkaloid subgroup of norditerpenoid alkaloids. It is classified as a C19-norditerpenoid alkaloid, distinguishing it from the highly toxic C20-diterpenoid aconine-class toxins (aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine). Traditional and pharmaceutical use: Unlike the highly toxic C20 aconite alkaloids, lappaconitine belongs to a less toxic class of Aconitum alkaloids and has been developed as a pharmaceutical analgesic in China and an antiarrhythmic (Allapinin) in Russia. Research trajectory: Lappaconitine's analgesic mechanism involves sodium channel blockade (local anaesthetic-type) without opioid receptor engagement — potentially useful for non-opioid pain management. Antiarrhythmic activity via class I cardiac sodium channel blockade parallels lidocaine and quinidine. Safety context: Lappaconitine and its source plants (Aconitum spp.) are potentially lethal at suprapharmacological doses. All Aconitum-derived compounds require qualified medical or pharmaceutical supervision and are not appropriate for unregulated supplement use.
Evidence for Lappaconitine Applications
Analgesic activity: Lappaconitine demonstrates potent analgesic effects in rodent hot-plate, writhing, and formalin models at 5–20 mg/kg. The mechanism is primarily voltage-gated sodium channel blockade in peripheral sensory neurons, producing local anaesthetic-type analgesia. Clinical use in China at 0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day (oral) is established for moderate pain management. Claim strength: High (pharmaceutical context).
Antiarrhythmic activity: Lappaconitine hydrobromide (Allapinin) is a Class IC antiarrhythmic agent — blocking fast sodium channels to slow conduction velocity in myocardial tissue. Registered for clinical use in Russia for paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Negative inotropic effects and proarrhythmic risk at high doses require medical monitoring. Claim strength: High (pharmaceutical context).
Local anaesthetic: In peripheral nerve block and infiltration anaesthesia models, lappaconitine produces reversible sensory and motor blockade of longer duration than lidocaine, with a wider safety margin than aconitine-class alkaloids. Claim strength: Moderate.
Research interest in non-opioid analgesia: Given the global opioid crisis, renewed attention to lappaconitine as a template for structure-activity studies aimed at safer synthetic analogues with improved therapeutic index. Claim strength: Emerging (research context).
This compound is documented for research and formulator education purposes. For commercially available botanical ingredients, explore the HerbIQ Compound Index →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Lappaconitine is a pharmaceutical compound not appropriate for dietary supplement formulation. The analgesic dose in Chinese clinical practice is 50–100 mg/day lappaconitine hydrobromide orally in divided doses under medical supervision. Antiarrhythmic dosing is 25–50 mg 3–4 times daily under cardiac monitoring.
Source plant processing is critical: raw Aconitum root contains highly toxic C20 alkaloids (aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine) alongside lappaconitine. Traditional Chinese medicine processing (fuzi preparation — autoclaving, soaking, boiling) dramatically reduces aconitine-class alkaloid content while partially preserving lappaconitine.
No supplement-grade application is appropriate for lappaconitine. This page serves as a formulator reference for understanding the Aconitum alkaloid chemical family.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lappaconitine
How does lappaconitine differ from aconitine in toxicity?
Aconitine (C20-diterpenoid, LD₅₀ ~0.1 mg/kg IV) is one of the most toxic plant alkaloids known. Lappaconitine (C19-norditerpenoid) is substantially less toxic (LD₅₀ ~18–25 mg/kg in rodents), allowing its pharmaceutical development as an analgesic. The C20 vs C19 carbon count reflects a different biosynthetic branch and fundamentally different receptor pharmacology.
What is Allapinin and where is it used?
Allapinin is the trade name for lappaconitine hydrobromide, registered and used in Russia and CIS countries as a Class IC antiarrhythmic drug for paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias. It is a prescription medication requiring cardiac monitoring and is not approved by the FDA or EMA.
Is the Aconitum heterophyllum (Atish) used by Herbuno related to lappaconitine?
Aconitum heterophyllum (Atish/Ativisha) is a Himalayan Aconitum species notably lower in aconitine-class alkaloids than A. carmichaelii or A. sinomontanum. Atish preparations supplied by Herbuno are traditional Ayurvedic extracts. Lappaconitine is associated primarily with A. sinomontanum and Delphinium species rather than A. heterophyllum.
Why is lappaconitine included in the HerbIQ index?
HerbIQ documents all significant plant-derived secondary metabolites including pharmaceutical-grade, controlled, and toxic compounds — serving as a complete formulator and researcher reference. Informational-only pages clearly distinguish these from supplement-appropriate compounds.
Related compounds: Aconitine, Mesaconitine, Koumine, Securinine
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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