A pulmonary hypertension-producing plant from Tanzania

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Cardiovascular Pathology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Primary pulmonary hypertension is a severe condition.
• A suspected link between a herbal remedy containing Crotalaria laburnoides seeds and a fatal case of pulmonary hypertension in an African youth prompted this investigation.
• Herbal remedies can pose significant health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of Crotalaria laburnoides seeds to induce pulmonary hypertension and associated cardiovascular changes.
• To determine if Crotalaria laburnoides seeds contain an agent capable of causing pulmonary hypertension in an animal model.

Main Methods:

• Powdered seeds of Crotalaria laburnoides were administered to 20 Wistar albino rats over 60 days.
• Animals were monitored for the development of ventricular hypertrophy and hypertensive pulmonary vascular disease.
• Morbid anatomical features were assessed at the end of the experimental period.

Main Results:

• A proportion of the test animals developed right ventricular hypertrophy.
• Medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries was observed.
• Muscularization of pulmonary arterioles occurred, indicating raised pulmonary arterial pressure.

Conclusions:

• The seeds of Crotalaria laburnoides contain an agent that can induce pulmonary hypertension in rats.
• The observed anatomical changes are pathognomonic of pulmonary hypertension.
• Clinicians should inquire about herbal remedy and drug ingestion in patients with unexplained pulmonary hypertension.