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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2007; 13(10): 1628-1631
Published online Mar 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i10.1628
Published online Mar 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i10.1628
Gynura root induces hepatic veno-occlusive disease: A case report and review of the literature
Ning Dai, Ying-Cong Yu, Tian-Hua Ren, Jia-Guo Wu, Yuan Jiang, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
Lai-Gen Shen, Department of Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
Jing Zhang, Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ning Dai, Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. ndaicn@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-571-86006182 Fax: +86-571-86006788
Received: December 29, 2006
Revised: February 15, 2006
Accepted: March 6, 2007
Published online: March 14, 2007
Revised: February 15, 2006
Accepted: March 6, 2007
Published online: March 14, 2007
Abstract
Gynura root has been used extensively in Chinese folk medicine and plays a role in promoting microcirculation and relieving pain. However, its hepatic toxicity should not be neglected. Recently, we admitted a 62-year old female who developed hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) after ingestion of Gynura root. Only a few articles on HVOD induced by Gynura root have been reported in the literature. It is suspected that pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Gynura root might be responsible for HVOD. In this paper, we report a case of HVOD and review the literature.
Keywords: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease, Gynura root