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Abstract

Various species of the genus Aristolochia contain a toxic compound called aristolochic acid (AA), which has been associated with reported side effects. Given that wounds and bites are among the most common conditions in martial medicine, and Aristolochia is one of the most widely used plants in the treatment of these conditions, there is a strong need to standardize the medicinal products obtained from Aristolochia. In this study, for the first time, the extract of Aristolochia hyrcana was standardized based on aristolochic acid, and it was then compared with Aristolochia longa. Aristolochia hyrcana and Aristolochia longa were obtained from the market, and aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared from each. The level of aristolochic acid was measured by a HPLC method. In our study, the level of aristolochic acid in the extract of Aristolochia hyrcana and Aristolochia longa was found in the range of 0.17-0.20 mg/kg. These results indicate the safety of the recommended doses for Aristolochia hyrcana and Aristolochia longa in traditional Iranian medicine. However, it is important to note that natural compounds in plants can be significantly different even in different regions of Iran. Therefore, more studies are needed to evaluate the content of AA in Aristolochia hyrcana and Aristolochia longa in different geographical locations. Additionally, more research on different animal species, laboratory models, and analysis of specific compounds such as aristolochic acid is necessary to definitively prove the non-toxic nature of the doses used in traditional medicine.