Four cases of toxic liver injury associated with Dictamnus dasycarpus.
10.3350/kjhep.2008.14.2.206
- Author:
Jong Soon JANG
1
;
Eui Geun SEO
;
Cheol HAN
;
Hee Bok CHAE
;
Soon Je KIM
;
Jae Dong LEE
;
Joon Ho WANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Dictamnus dasycarpus;
Herbal medicine;
Toxic liver injury
- MeSH:
Acute Disease;
Aged;
Dictamnus/*adverse effects;
Female;
Hepatitis, Toxic/*diagnosis/etiology/ultrasonography;
Humans;
Liver Function Tests;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Plant Roots/*adverse effects
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2008;14(2):206-212
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
We report four cases of toxic hepatitis that occurred after taking a decoction made by boiling down the root of Dictamnus dasycarpus. The four patients had a median age of 60 years, common symptoms of jaundice and general weakness, and stated that they had not consumed alcohol for at least 5 years. The markers of hepatitis A, B, and C were all negative in the patients. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed common bile ducts with normal diameters. Two of the cases were a mother and daughter, and the other two were sporadic. All of them had consumed a decoction made by boiling down the root of Dictamnus dasycarpus five or six times daily until several days before admission. Dictamnus dasycarpus induced liver injury presenting with a benign course lasting less than 1 month after cessation of the causative agent. We suggest that this natural product can cause acute hepatitis in rural areas.
