title: Hepatotoxicity of Teucrium chamaedrys L. decoction: role of difference in the harvesting area and preparation method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two recurrent cases of severe acute liver injury attributed to the use of a wild germander decoction, prepared with some variation in traditional method has been reported. The aim of the present study was to correlate the hepatotoxic effect observed in patients who consumed germander decoction with teucrin A levels. Antioxidant properties were analyzed to assess any possible differences between the decoction used traditionally by the family (without negative consequences) and the decoction taken by the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different types of germander decoctions were prepared in the laboratory by simulating the same conditions for preparing the decoction by the patients and their family members. The levels of teucrin A, the polyphenols and the antioxidant power were determined. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for differences between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extract consumed by the patients had higher concentration of teucrin A, lower antioxidant activity and lower content of polyphenols compared with the traditional decoction, revealing an inverse relationship between teucrin A content and antioxidant capacity. These case reports emphasize that more information is needed on the safety and quality of these natural products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nencini
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, "S. Maria alle Scotte" Hospital, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galluzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, "S. Maria alle Scotte" Hospital, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pippi
authors.affiliation: Department of Business and Law, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menchiari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Micheli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity*; D012621:Seasons; D031367:Teucrium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C040618:teucrium extract
keywords: Antioxidant activity; Teucrium chamaedrys L.; germander; high-performance liquid chromatography analysis; teucrin A
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