Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
09:03
Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula
Published on: January 26, 2024
740
Cautiously using natural medicine to treat liver problems
1Fei Xiong, Yong-Song Guan, Department of Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 10, 2017
Summary
Natural medicine offers safe and effective treatments for various diseases, including liver conditions. However, careful monitoring is essential to prevent potential adverse effects from naturopathic agents.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Natural product derivatives
- Therapeutic agents
Background:
- Natural medicine, utilizing natural agents and derivatives, has a long history of treating human diseases.
- Its integrative protocols tailor therapies to individual patient needs, contributing to its growing global acceptance due to convenience, safety, and efficacy.
- Naturopathic doctors are legally regulated in many regions, distinguishing this practice from other complementary and alternative medicine forms.
Discussion:
- Liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma, represent significant global health challenges.
- Natural products and their derivatives constitute nearly half of current treatments for liver diseases.
- While beneficial, naturopathic agents can cause adverse effects such as liver injury, interstitial pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure, necessitating careful physician oversight.
Key Insights:
- Physicians must be vigilant regarding potential side-effects of naturopathic agents used in treating liver diseases.
- Preventative strategies and proactive management of adverse reactions are crucial when administering naturopathic protocols.
- The study emphasizes the need for cautious application of natural medicine for liver problem treatment.
Outlook:
- Further research into the safe and effective application of natural medicine for liver diseases is warranted.
- Developing standardized protocols for monitoring and managing adverse events associated with naturopathic therapies is essential.
- Continued exploration of natural agents' therapeutic potential, balanced with rigorous safety assessments, will shape future integrative medicine practices.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
302
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
302
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
244
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
244
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
316
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
316
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
2.2K
Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
2.2K
01:14Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
267
In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
267
01:17Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling
3.0K
Enterohepatic cycling involves the active secretion of drugs and their metabolites into the bile via transporters in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. This secretion is an integral part of the digestive process, releasing these substances into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
3.0K