Abstract: Objective To provide literature basis and research idea for the toxicity research of Radix Aconite Lateralis related to the efficacy and material basis. Methods References in the last two decades at home and abroad about Radix Aconite Lateralis were collated, analyzed and summarized. Results Recently, the research on toxicity of Radix Aconite Lateralis was focused on the alkaloids material. The protein, oleic acid, polysaccharide and other substances were not further studied, and the associated study between material basis and toxicity were lacked. On the other hand,a large number of pharmacodynamics and mechanism researches on the efficacy of Radix Aconite Lateralis were studied, but the associated study between efficacy and toxicity were in the blank spaces. Conclusion Considering that the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine was recognized gradually in the process of expressing efficacy and has close relation with material basis's varieties and contents, so the expression of efficacy and toxicity should be paid attention at the same time, and to conduct the material basis separation and control under the expression of toxicity. The similarities and differences of pharmacology character of pharmacology efficacy and toxicity and that of material basis varieties that leads to these reactions should also be noticed. Only in this way, could we raise the toxic warning schemes and the diagnosis and treatment measures of adverse reactions about the toxicity of Radix Aconite Lateralis in the actual clinical use, to insure the safe use in clinic.

Key words: Radix Aconite Lateralis, efficacy, toxicity, material basis