Ma huang associated acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation.
An ever increasing number of herbal remedies are recognized as potentially hepatotoxic. We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation associated with the use of Ma huang, a traditional Chinese remedy containing ephedrine-type alkaloids. The literature surrounding the potential liver toxicities of Ma huang is reviewed and the proposed pathogenetic mechanisms are critically examined.
Skoulidis
Ferdinandos
F
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Alexander
Graeme J M
GJ
Davies
Susan E
SE
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029790:Ephedra sinica; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations; D029789:Ephedra
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D028321:Plant Preparations; C099950:Ephedrae herba