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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents HPHC
Published on: May 10, 2016
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Herbal Hepatotoxicity: Clinical Characteristics and Listing Compilation
Christian Frenzel1, Rolf Teschke2
1Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. cfrenzel@uke.de.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 30, 2016
Summary
Herb induced liver injury (HILI) and drug induced liver injury (DILI) involve chemical compounds causing liver damage. Stopping herbal use is crucial for severe liver injury, with RUCAM aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Herb induced liver injury (HILI) and drug induced liver injury (DILI) share causative chemical agents, natural or synthetic.
- Metabolic degradation of these chemicals can produce hepatotoxic metabolites, leading to liver injury in susceptible individuals.
- Uncertainty exists regarding risk factors like lipophilicity and dose, and the background (idiosyncratic vs. intrinsic) of HILI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the pathogenesis and diagnostic challenges of Herb induced liver injury (HILI).
- To highlight the importance of causality assessment and regulatory surveillance for herbal products.
- To emphasize the need for prompt cessation of herbal use in cases of severe liver injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HILI and DILI.
- Discussion of pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors.
- Application of Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) for HILI diagnosis.
Main Results:
- HILI shares characteristics with DILI, involving hepatotoxic metabolites from herbal compounds.
- HILI is a diagnosis of exclusion with non-specific clinical features.
- RUCAM is a valuable tool for establishing causality in suspected HILI cases.
Conclusions:
- Stopping herbal product use is essential when liver tests are significantly elevated.
- RUCAM-based causality assessment and stricter regulatory surveillance are vital for managing HILI.
- Future strategies must focus on risk-benefit analysis and regulatory oversight of herbal medicines and supplements.
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