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Philips CA, Valsan A, Theruvath AH, Ravindran R, Oommen TT, Rajesh S, Bishnu S, Augustine P. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury-A case series from India and literature review. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0270. [PMID: 37756041 PMCID: PMC10531359 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ashwagandha herb is commonly used in Ayurveda and a "fad" dietary supplement for a host of indications based on low levels of evidence. Recently, ashwagandha was implicated in multiple reports of herb-induced liver injury (HILI), mainly from the United States. We present the first, and currently largest, series of ashwagandha-HILI from multiple centers in India. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the respective institutional electronic medical records for ashwagandha-HILI. Patients consuming ashwagandha as part of multiherbal formulations or along with other known hepatotoxic supplements or medicines were excluded. All patients underwent a detailed diagnostic workup to exclude competing causes reasonably. Where possible, the implicated herbal formulation was retrieved and subjected to chemical analysis. RESULTS Out of 23 patients with liver injury from ashwagandha (January 2019 to December 2022), we report 8 patients with single-ingredient formulation-related HILI. Study cohort was male predominant, and cholestatic hepatitis was the commonest presentation. Five patients had underlying chronic liver disease; 3 presented with acute-on-chronic liver failure, and all 3 died on follow-up. In others, the liver injury was prolonged, nonetheless self-limiting. Liver biopsy revealed cholestatic features predominantly with hepatocellular necrosis and lymphocyte/eosinophil predominant portal-based inflammation. One patient progressed to chronic HILI. Chemical analysis revealed only natural phytochemicals without adulteration or contamination. CONCLUSIONS Ashwagandha-HILI presents with cholestatic hepatitis and can lead to the syndrome of acute-on-chronic liver failure with high mortality in those with pre-existing liver disease. Educating the public on avoiding the use of potentially toxic and unrecommended herbal supplements can help mitigate the avoidable liver disease burden in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyriac A. Philips
- Clinical and Translational Hepatology, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
- Department of Hepatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Arun Valsan
- Department of Clinical Research, Division of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
| | - Arif H. Theruvath
- Department of Hepatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Resmi Ravindran
- Department of Hepatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Tharun T. Oommen
- Clinical and Translational Hepatology, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
- Gastroenterology & Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
| | - Sasidharan Rajesh
- Interventional Hepatobiliary Radiology, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
| | - Saptarshi Bishnu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Astha Medical Centre, Koshbagan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Philip Augustine
- Clinical and Translational Hepatology, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
- Gastroenterology & Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India
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