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Ajuga nipponensis Makino poisoning
Shu-Chen Liao1, Te-Fa Chiu, Jih-Chang Chen
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Guang Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|November 1, 2005
Summary
A man experienced severe kidney damage and died after consuming Ajuga nipponesis Makino, an herbal remedy. This case highlights the potential renal toxicity of this plant, even in small doses.
Area of Science:
- Herbal medicine
- Toxicology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Traditional folk medicine often utilizes herbal preparations for various ailments.
- Ajuga nipponesis Makino is a plant used in folk medicine, particularly for liver conditions like hepatoma.
- Assessing the safety and potential toxicity of commonly used herbal remedies is crucial.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old male patient ingested Ajuga nipponesis Makino for hepatoma treatment.
- Immediate gastrointestinal distress, followed by decreased urine output and edema, indicated severe adverse effects.
- Two other individuals consuming the same herb experienced only milder gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea).
Findings:
- Laboratory results revealed elevated blood urea nitrogen, creatine, bilirubin, and hepatic transaminases.
- Progressive deterioration of renal function was observed during hospitalization.
- The patient's death occurred 11 days post-ingestion, suggesting a link to the herbal preparation.
Implications:
- Ajuga nipponesis Makino contains components that may possess significant renal toxicity.
- This case underscores the need for rigorous safety evaluations of herbal medicines.
- Further research is warranted to identify the specific toxic compounds within Ajuga nipponesis Makino.
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