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Published on: April 1, 2015
Severe reversible bone marrow suppression induced by Selaginella doederleinii
1Poison Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|January 5, 2002
Summary
A patient with cholangiocarcinoma experienced severe bone marrow suppression from the herbal remedy Selaginella doederleinii. Symptoms resolved after discontinuing the herb, suggesting it may cause reversible pancytopenia.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer of the bile ducts.
- Alternative cancer treatments are often explored by patients.
- Selaginella doederleinii is a plant used in traditional medicine for its purported anticancer properties.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old female with cholangiocarcinoma used Selaginella doederleinii as an alternative treatment.
- The patient developed severe pancytopenia, characterized by skin ecchymosis, itching, and gum bleeding, two weeks after daily use.
- Bone marrow examination revealed severe hypocellularity without evidence of malignant infiltration.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of Selaginella doederleinii led to the normalization of the patient's hemogram within one week.
- The findings suggest a direct link between Selaginella doederleinii consumption and reversible bone marrow suppression.
- An unidentified compound in Selaginella doederleinii is hypothesized to be responsible for the observed toxicity.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential risks associated with herbal remedies used in cancer treatment.
- Healthcare providers should inquire about herbal supplement use in patients undergoing cancer therapy.
- Further research is warranted to identify the toxic substance in Selaginella doederleinii and its mechanism of action.
