Document Detail


Chronic arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic medicines.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18477160     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Ayurvedic medicines are known to contain arsenic and concentrations up to toxic levels have been reported in certain formulations. However, clinical disease due to arsenic containing ayurvedic medicines has rarely been reported. We seek to highlight the existence of toxic levels of arsenic in certain ayurvedic preparations that can produce serious systemic manifestations. METHODS: An 11-year-old girl developed manifestations of arsenical keratosis (punctuate palmoplantar keratoderma and leucomelanoderma) and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, 6 months and 18 months respectively after intake of ayurvedic medications, prescribed for epilepsy. The eight ayurvedic preparations consumed by the patient and her serum levels were analyzed for arsenic content. RESULTS: Arsenic content of ayurvedic medicines ranged from 5 mg/L to 248 mg/L. The serum arsenic level was 202.20 microg/L (normal < 60 microg/L). Skin manifestations improved after the discontinuation of ayurvedic medications. CONCLUSIONS: Ayurvedic medications should be consumed under strict guidance and supervision of qualified practitioners to prevent such catastrophies.
Authors:
Sujay Khandpur; Amit K Malhotra; Vidhyut Bhatia; Subandhu Gupta; Vinod K Sharma; Rakesh Mishra; Narendra K Arora
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of dermatology     Volume:  47     ISSN:  1365-4632     ISO Abbreviation:  Int. J. Dermatol.     Publication Date:  2008 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-05-14     Completed Date:  2008-06-25     Revised Date:  2009-03-05    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0243704     Medline TA:  Int J Dermatol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  618-21     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Arsenic / analysis*
Arsenic Poisoning / etiology*
Child
Chronic Disease
Epilepsy / drug therapy
Female
Humans
Hypertension, Portal / chemically induced*
India
Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / chemically induced*,  pathology
Liver / pathology
Medicine, Ayurvedic*
Phytotherapy / adverse effects*
Pigmentation Disorders / chemically induced*,  pathology
Plant Preparations / chemistry,  poisoning*
Skin / pathology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Plant Preparations; 7440-38-2/Arsenic

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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