title: Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. Induced Bronchiolitis Obliterans: From Botanical Studies to Toxicology.
abstract: Sauropus androgynus L. Merr. is one of the most popular herbs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China where it was known as a slimming agent until two outbreaks of pulmonary dysfunction were reported in Taiwan and Japan in 1995 and 2005, respectively. Several studies described that the excessive consumption of Sauropus androgynus could cause drowsiness, constipation, and bronchiolitis obliterans and may lead to respiratory failure. Interestingly, this herb has been used in Malaysia and Indonesia in cooking and is commonly called the "multigreen" or "multivitamin" plant due to its high nutritive value and inexpensive source of dietary protein. The plant is widely used in traditional medicine for wound healing, inducing lactation, relief of urinary disorders, as an antidiabetic cure and also fever reduction. Besides these medicinal uses, the plant can also be used as colouring agent in food. This review will explore and compile the fragmented knowledge available on the botany, ethnobotany, chemical constitutes, pharmacological properties, and toxicological aspects of this plant. This comprehensive review will give readers the fundamental, comprehensive, and current knowledge regarding Sauropus androgynus L. Merr.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hamidun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bunawan
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siti Noraini
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bunawan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syarul Nataqain
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Baharum
authors.affiliation: Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Normah Mohd
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Noor