Toxic hepatitis induced by show-wu-pian, a Chinese herbal preparation.
Herbal preparations are widely available and often regarded by the public as harmless remedies for a variety of medical ailments. However, some of these products or their metabolites can cause adverse effects such as liver damage. In this case report a 53-year-old female taking shou-wu-pian for 8 months presented with acute hepatitis. Histopathological assessment of liver tissue obtained by biopsy was consistent with a toxic reaction. Clinical and biochemical resolution was brought about following cessation of the drug. It is important for clinicians to consider Chinese herbal preparations as a potential cause of abnormal liver function test results.
Furukawa
Maiko
M
Aoyama Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
Kasajima
Saeko
S
Nakamura
Yuri
Y
Shouzushima
Meiko
M
Nagatani
Naho
N
Takinishi
Akira
A
Taguchi
Ayumi
A
Fujita
Mikiko
M
Niimi
Akiko
A
Misaka
Ryoichi
R
Nagahara
Hikaru
H
D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D018517:Plant Roots; D028502:Polygonum
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal