Assessment of the toxicity of two Aconitum herbal medicines by microcalorimetry and chemometrics

► The Aconitum herbal medicines are not only efficacious but also poisonous. ► The toxicity of Radix Aconitum Kusnezoffii and Radix Aconitum carmichaeli was studied by microcalorimetry. ► Coupled with chemometric analysis, the toxicities of the two herbal medicines were assessed. ► Radix A. Kusnezoffii with IC50 of 35.2 mg/mL had stronger toxicity than Radix A. carmichaeli with IC50 of 49.6 mg/mL.