Acute hepatitis induced by Chinese hepatoprotective herb, xiao-chai-hu-tang.
Xiao-chai-hu-tang (syo-saiko-to in Japanese) is a herbal remedy that has been widely used in China for treatment of respiratory, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal diseases, particularly among patients with chronic liver disease. However, its safety has recently been challenged. We, herein, report a Chinese patient with acute hepatitis induced by this herb. A 52-year-old woman presented with weakness, fatigue, and tea-colored urine after continual consumption of the decoction of xiao-chai-hu-tang for 1.5 months. Laboratory studies disclosed acute hepatitis even though all of the viral hepatitis markers were negative. Liver biopsy also revealed a picture of acute hepatocellular hepatitis. The symptoms improved after discontinuing the drug, and liver biochemical tests normalized 2 months later. The case report reminds us of the probable adverse drug reaction of herbs, even in some that are claimed to have hepatoprotective effects.
Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC.
Li-Ming
LM
Hsu
Yi-Shin
YS
Huang
Shyh-Haw
SH
Tsay
Full-Young
FY
Chang
Shou-Dong
SD
Lee
D000208:Acute Disease; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020011:Protective Agents; C461320:shosaiko-to