Clinical case analysis of liver injury induced by dandelion, a food-medicine homologous traditional Chinese medicine
10.3760/cma.j.cn114015-20240511-00333
- VernacularTitle:药食同源蒲公英致肝损伤临床病例分析
- Author:
Jinchun LIU
1
;
Rui TONG
;
Xiangling SHENG
;
Qijun FANG
;
Weihua WU
Author Information
1. 南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院药学部，南京临床药学中心，南京 210008
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Drugs, Chinese herbal;
Taraxacum;
Drug-related side and adverse reactions;
Homology of medicine and food
- From:
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal
2024;26(11):665-671
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the occurrence and clinical features of liver injury induced by dandelion, a food-medicine homologous traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:The patients with liver injury caused by taking dandelion, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023, were enrolled in this study. The electronic medical records of the patients were retrieved, and the patients′ general information, using of dandelion, combined medication, clinical manifestations, and liver biochemical test results were recorded. The causal relationship between dandelion and the liver injury were evaluated, and the clinical manifestations, classification, severity, treatment and prognosis of liver injury were analyzed.Results:A total of 13 patients were enrolled in the study, including 8 females and 5 males. The age ranged from 29 to 78 years. Nine patients took dandelion by themselves, and 4 according to the doctor′s advice. The administration methods included dandelion root tea drink, whole herb tea drink, and powder drink mixed in water. Most patients′ liver injury occurred within 90 days after taking dandelion. The main clinical manifestations were yellowish staining of skin and sclera, dark urine, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, etc. The laboratory tests showed that serum aminotransferase and bilirubin increased in 13 patients, alkaline phosphatase increased in 12 patients, and plasma ammonia increased in 5 patients. The causality evaluation results showed "probable related" in 8 cases and "highly probable related" in 5 cases. The clinical classification showed that 11 patients were of hepatocellular type and 2 of mixed type. The severity was mainly grade 2 (8 of 13 patients). Two patients with grade 3 and 2 patients with grade 4 developed liver failure. After symptomatic treatments, 11 patients′ liver function returned to normal or were improved; 2 patients′ condition progressed, of which 1 patient survived after liver transplantation and 1 patient died.Conclusions:Dandelion can cause liver injury, mostly occurring within 90 days after administration, with moderate severity. After stopping dandelion and giving symptomatic treatments, most patients have a good prognosis, but there is a risk of liver failure and death.
