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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro

Published on: January 31, 2022

Herbal hepatotoxicity.

Leonard B Seeff¹

¹National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Room 9A27, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. seeffl@extra.niddk.nih.gov

Clinics in Liver Disease

|August 29, 2007

Summary

Herbal products, often unregulated, pose a risk of liver injury (hepatotoxicity) due to unknown ingredients and contaminants. This review highlights commonly implicated herbal remedies linked to liver damage.

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Pharmacology
Hepatology

Background:

Herbal products are frequently unregulated and lack standardization, leading to concerns about potential toxicity.
Crude herbal formulations, often mixtures, present challenges in identifying specific ingredients and potential contaminants.
Hepatotoxicity associated with herbal products is a growing area of concern in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of commonly recognized herbal products associated with liver injury.
To review the evidence linking specific herbal remedies to hepatotoxicity.
To discuss the diagnostic challenges and uncertainties in attributing liver injury to herbal products.

Main Methods:

Literature review of reported cases and studies on herbal product-induced liver injury.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro

Published on: January 31, 2022

Identification of herbal products frequently cited in association with hepatotoxicity.

Analysis of the strength of evidence for causality in reported cases.

Main Results:

Several herbal products have been clearly implicated in causing liver injury.
The relationship between some herbal products and liver damage remains uncertain, often based on limited case reports.
Variability in product composition and potential for contamination contribute to the risk.

Conclusions:

Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for hepatotoxicity from various herbal products.
Further research is needed to clarify the specific risks associated with certain herbal remedies.
Careful patient history regarding herbal product use is crucial for diagnosing liver injury.