Document Detail


Hepatotoxic slimming aids and other herbal hepatotoxins.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18318821     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Perceptions of safety and/or cultural mores prompt individuals to seek herbal slimming aids in preference to conventional dietary, physical activity and medication-based protocols. In recent years, terpenoid-containing dietary supplements have been implicated in causing severe and sometimes fatal hepatotoxicity. Teucrium polium (germander) was the first of these herbal products to be clearly linked to cases of acute liver failure. Subsequently, similar hepatotoxicity has been observed with other members of the Teucrium genus. While diterpenoid-derived reactive metabolites are central to germander hepatotoxicity, it may also be that the hepatic effects of compounds such as Sho-saiko-to, Centella asiatica and Black cohosh are linked to their triterpenoid content. Other non-terpenoid-containing herbal remedies marketed for weight reduction have been causally associated with significant liver injury. Important among these are preparations containing N-nitrosofenfluramine, usnic acid and ephedra alkaloids. Finally, we review recent data on known and emerging hepatotoxins such as Boh-Gol-Zhee, Kava, pyrrolizidine alkaloids and Shou-Wu-Pian. Better public and physician awareness through health education, early recognition and management of herbal toxicity and tighter regulation of complementary/alternative medicine systems are required to minimize the dangers of herbal product use.
Authors:
Shivakumar Chitturi; Geoffrey C Farrell
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology     Volume:  23     ISSN:  1440-1746     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol.     Publication Date:  2008 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-03-05     Completed Date:  2008-04-04     Revised Date:  2009-11-19    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8607909     Medline TA:  J Gastroenterol Hepatol     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  366-73     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. shiv.chitturi@act.gov.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anti-Obesity Agents / adverse effects*
Drug-Induced Liver Injury*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Plant Preparations / adverse effects*
Risk Assessment
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Obesity Agents; 0/Plant Preparations

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