Chinese skullcap in move free arthritis supplement causes drug induced liver injury and pulmonary infiltrates

Harder, better, faster, stronger? Retrospective chart review of adverse events of interactions between adaptogens and antidepressant drugs

Aim: We aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of adverse events associated with the adaptogens and antidepressant drug interactions in a retrospective chart review. Methodology: A total of 1,816 reports of adverse events were evaluated. Cases were included in the analysis if the pharmacoepidemiological analysis showed the presence of a high probability of a causal relationship between an adaptogen and antidepressant interaction and the occurrence of adverse events. The following data were extracted from the reports: age, sex, antidepressant, plant products containing adaptogens, other concomitant medications, and clinical consequences of the interactions and their possible mechanisms. Results: Adaptogens were involved in 9% of adverse events associated with the concomitant use of antidepressants and other preparations. We identified 30 reports in which side effects presented a causal relationship with the use of antidepressants and adaptogens. Here, we present the list of adaptogens with the corresponding antidepressants and the side effects caused by their interactions: Withania somnifera: reboxetine (testicle pain and ejaculatory dysfunctions), sertraline (severe diarrhea), escitalopram (myalgia, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, restless legs syndrome, and severe cough), and paroxetine (generalized myalgia, ophthalmalgia, and ocular hypertension); Eleutherococcus senticosus: duloxetine (upper gastrointestinal bleeding), paroxetine (epistaxis), sertraline (vaginal hemorrhage), and agomelatine (irritability, agitation, headache, and dizziness); Schisandra chinensis: bupropion (arthralgia and thrombocytopenia), amitriptyline (delirium), and fluoxetine (dysuria); Tribulus terrestris: citalopram (generalized pruritus), escitalopram (galactorrhea), and trazodone (psoriasis relapse); Coptis chinensis: mianserin (arrhythmias), mirtazapine (edema of lower limbs and myalgia), and fluoxetine (gynecomastia); Cimicifuga racemosa: mianserin (restless legs syndrome), paroxetine (gynecomastia and mastalgia), and venlafaxine (hyponatremia); Bacopa monnieri: agomelatine (back pain and hyperhidrosis) and moclobemide (myocardial infarction); Gynostemma pentaphyllum: duloxetine (back pain); Cordyceps sinensis: sertraline (upper gastrointestinal bleeding); Lepidium meyenii: mianserin (restless legs syndrome); and Scutellaria baicalensis: bupropion (seizures). Conclusion: Clinicians should monitor the adverse events associated with the concomitant use of adaptogens and antidepressant drugs in patients with mental disorders. Aggregation of side effects and pharmacokinetic interactions (inhibition of CYP and p-glycoprotein) between those medicines may result in clinically significant adverse events.

Adverse effects associated with use of specific dietary supplements: The US Military Dietary Supplement Use Study

Dietary supplements (DSs) are used by 50% of Americans and 70% of United States military service members (SMs); some have adverse effects (AEs). This cross-sectional investigation examined AEs associated with specific DSs. A stratified random sample of SMs from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy was obtained. Volunteers completed a questionnaire reporting AEs for 96 generic and 62 specific DSs. The highest prevalence (≥1 AE) in specific DS categories was 35% prohormones, 33% weight loss supplements, 26% pre/post workout supplements, 14% herbal products, 12% multivitamin/multiminerals, 11% protein/amino acids, 9% muscle building supplements, 7% other DSs, 6% joint health products, and 5% individual vitamins/minerals. Specific DSs of concern (with proportion reporting AEs) included: Libido Max® (35%), Hydroxycut Hardcore® (33%), OxyElite® (33%), Roxylean® (31%), Growth Factor 9® (30%), Super HD® (29%), Hydroxycut Advanced® (29%), Lipo 6® (28%), The Ripper® (27%), Test Booster® (27%), Xenadrine Xtreme Thermogenic® (27%), C4 Extreme® (26%), and C4 Origional® (25%). Products marketed for weight loss, use before/after workout, and prohormones had the highest AE prevalence. DSs can contain substances with independent/additive AEs and/or interact with other ingredients or prescribed medications. Methods described here could provide a continuous surveillance system detecting dangerous DSs entering the market.

HLA Gene in 5 Cases of Liver Injury Related to Baikal Skullcap

HLA association with drug-induced liver injury has recently been pointed out about multiple medicines. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between HLA gene and liver injury related to Baikal skullcap-containing Kampo medicines (BSCK). We previously examined HLA genes in 3 cases of BSCK-induced liver injury. Recently we could encounter 2 cases diagnosed as "definitely-related case" of BSCK-induced liver injury. HLA genes of the 2 cases were analyzed by Sequencing Based Typing method with Next Generation Sequencer at HLA Laboratory in Kyoto. HLA-DPA1*02:02:02 and DPB1*05:01:01 were observed in the 2 cases: concordance was not observed in HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB4, DQA1, or DQB1. The previous 3 cases of BSCK-induced liver injury had the same allele type to the 2 cases only in HLA-DPA1. Putting all these together, HLA-DPA1*02:02:02 was observed in common among 5 cases of BSCK-induced liver injury. HLA-DPA1*02:02:02 is possibly associated with BSCK-induced liver injury.

Acute Liver Injury After Long-Term Herbal "Liver Cleansing" and "Sleep Aid" Supplement Use

BACKGROUND

Acute liver injury is reported in association with toxins, pharmaceuticals, and viral infections. Increasingly prevalent are cases of herbal- and dietary supplement-related hepatotoxicity. Early recognition of this potentially life-threatening complication by emergency care providers leads to more appropriate management and disposition.

CASE REPORT

A 53-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of jaundice and increased abdominal girth after a month-long use of a combination herbal "liver-cleansing" compound and a nightly herbal "sleep aid." The "Liver Detoxifier and Regenerator" listed multiple constituents, including concentrated scute root and turmeric root; "Restful Sleep" listed multiple constituents, including valerian. Emergency department evaluation revealed marked hyperbilirubinemia with liver enzyme elevations indicative of cholestatic jaundice. Imaging studies, including ultrasound and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, revealed hepatomegaly and steatosis without biliary dilatation; a biopsy specimen was obtained, and the results were consistent with drug-induced liver injury. The patient's liver function abnormalities gradually improved with discontinuation of the products as well as a tapered course of corticosteroid therapy. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: A significant proportion of the U.S. adult population uses herbal and dietary supplements. Most patients do not discuss nonprescription medication use with their providers and many physicians will not specifically ask about herbal supplements. It is important for emergency physicians to be aware of the potential for herbal supplements to contribute to acute liver injury and be able to investigate the active agents reported in these formulations. The diagnostic criteria for cholestatic jaundice and drug-induced liver injury are discussed.

The effect of supplementation with Scutellaria baicalensis on hepatic function

The dried root of the angiosperm Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as Chinese skullcap or Baikal skullcap, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, Korean traditional medicine and as a nutritional supplement; several studies have indicated that both the supplement and some of its ingredients may have clinically beneficial actions. However, the National Institutes of Health official guidance states that the use of Scutellaria "has been implicated in rare instances of clinically apparent liver injury" and that "the onset of symptoms and jaundice occurred within 6-24 weeks of starting skullcap, and the serum enzyme pattern was typically hepatocellular", with marked increases in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Careful perusal of all such published case reports showed that in each case the patient was concurrently taking at least one other supplement which had an established association with hepatic dysfunction. The authors hypothesised that long-term supplementation with Scutellaria baicalensis does not lead to hepatic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by assessing liver function before and after starting supplementation with Scutellaria baicalensis. Pre- and post-supplementation serum assays of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin were carried out in 17 patients (16 female) of average age 38.6 (standard error 4.4) years who had each taken 1335 mg dried root daily for an average of 444 (71) days. The mean baseline versus follow-up values for each liver function test were: alanine transaminase: 25.7 (2.6) IU/L v. 25.1 (1.7) IU/L; aspartate transaminase: 22.1 (1.1) IU/L v. 23.5 (1.3) IU/L; alkaline phosphatase: 63.7 (4.6) IU/L v. 63.3 (3.9) IU/L; and bilirubin: 6.1 (0.6) μM v. 6.0 (0.7) μM. None of these changes was statistically significant; indeed, three of the four parameters showed a non-significant decrease over time. Furthermore, none manifested clinical symptoms or signs of hepatic dysfunction during Scutellaria supplementation. These results suggest that daily intake of a relatively high level of Scutellaria baicalensis for over a year is not associated with any biochemical or clinical evidence of hepatic dysfunction. Indeed, Scutellaria baicalensis has been shown in murine experiments to have hepatoprotective actions.

Yogi Detox Tea: A Potential Cause of Acute Liver Failure

We present a case of acute fulminant liver failure from a liver detoxification tea. We present a 60-year-old female with weakness, lethargy, scleral icterus, jaundice, and worsening mental status. She drank herbal tea three times a day for 14 days prior to symptom development. Liver tests were elevated. Remaining laboratory tests and imaging were negative for other etiologies. An ultrasound-guided liver biopsy showed submassive necrosis. A literature search on the ingredients shows six ingredients as having hepatotoxic effects and remaining ingredients as having very sparse hepatoprotective data. Healthcare professionals should discuss herbal medication and tea use and report adverse effects.

Herbal and Dietary Supplement-Induced Liver Injury

The increase in the use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDSs) over the last decades has been accompanied by an increase in the reports of HDS-associated hepatotoxicity. The spectrum of HDS-induced liver injury is diverse and the outcome may vary from transient liver test increases to fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death or requiring liver transplant. There are no validated standardized tools to establish the diagnosis, but some HDS products have a typical clinical signature that may help to identify HDS-induced liver injury.

Systematic Review on Chinese Herbal Medicine Induced Liver Injury

Background. In recent years, with the popularity of CHM, its hepatotoxicity has also been increasingly noticed. However, there are still veils on causative herbs and clinical characteristics. Aim. To systematically review data on CHM induced liver injury with particular focus on causative herbs and clinical characteristics. Methods. Using terms related to CHM and liver injury, PubMed and three Chinese electronic databases were searched, which was limited to the past 5 years. Publications meeting our eligibility criteria were included and further analyzed. Results. In total, 4 single herbs, 21 patent drugs, and 4 decoctions were reported to be of hepatotoxicity, with He-Shou-Wu being the most common one (65/114). Dang-Gui and other 5 herbs were the most common ingredients of patent drugs and decoctions. All patients were assessed using the RUCAM scale, with 26 being highly probable and 28 being probable. For these 54 cases, the latent period was 30 (47) days, and 81.48% were labeled as hepatocellular injuries. Most patients (96.3%) recovered, apart from the fact that one died and one is receiving liver transplantation. Conclusions. CHM should be used carefully for hepatotoxicity. Liver injury from CHM is similar to that from conventional medicines in clinical characteristics. Details about causative herbs should be illustrated, and more RUCAM should be used in future.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Herbal Hepatotoxicity: RUCAM and the Role of Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers Such as MicroRNAs

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with its focus on herbal use is popular and appreciated worldwide with increased tendency, although its therapeutic efficacy is poorly established for most herbal TCM products. Treatment was perceived as fairly safe but discussions emerged more recently as to whether herb induced liver injury (HILI) from herbal TCM is a major issue; Methods: To analyze clinical and case characteristics of HILI caused by herbal TCM, we undertook a selective literature search in the PubMed database with the search items Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, alone and combined with the terms herbal hepatotoxicity or herb induced liver injury; Results: HILI caused by herbal TCM is rare and similarly to drugs can be caused by an unpredictable idiosyncratic or a predictable intrinsic reaction. Clinical features of liver injury from herbal TCM products are variable, and specific diagnostic biomarkers such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase, pyrrole-protein adducts, metabolomics, and microRNAs are available for only a few TCM herbs. The diagnosis is ascertained if alternative causes are validly excluded and causality levels of probable or highly probable are achieved applying the liver specific RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) as the most commonly used diagnostic tool worldwide. Case evaluation may be confounded by inappropriate or lacking causality assessment, poor herbal product quality, insufficiently documented cases, and failing to exclude alternative causes such as infections by hepatotropic viruses including hepatitis E virus infections; Conclusion: Suspected cases of liver injury from herbal TCM represent major challenges that deserve special clinical and regulatory attention to improve the quality of case evaluations and ascertain patients' safety and benefit.

Herbal Hepatotoxicity: Clinical Characteristics and Listing Compilation

Herb induced liver injury (HILI) and drug induced liver injury (DILI) share the common characteristic of chemical compounds as their causative agents, which were either produced by the plant or synthetic processes. Both, natural and synthetic chemicals are foreign products to the body and need metabolic degradation to be eliminated. During this process, hepatotoxic metabolites may be generated causing liver injury in susceptible patients. There is uncertainty, whether risk factors such as high lipophilicity or high daily and cumulative doses play a pathogenetic role for HILI, as these are under discussion for DILI. It is also often unclear, whether a HILI case has an idiosyncratic or an intrinsic background. Treatment with herbs of Western medicine or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rarely causes elevated liver tests (LT). However, HILI can develop to acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation in single cases. HILI is a diagnosis of exclusion, because clinical features of HILI are not specific as they are also found in many other liver diseases unrelated to herbal use. In strikingly increased liver tests signifying severe liver injury, herbal use has to be stopped. To establish HILI as the cause of liver damage, RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) is a useful tool. Diagnostic problems may emerge when alternative causes were not carefully excluded and the correct therapy is withheld. Future strategies should focus on RUCAM based causality assessment in suspected HILI cases and more regulatory efforts to provide all herbal medicines and herbal dietary supplements used as medicine with strict regulatory surveillance, considering them as herbal drugs and ascertaining an appropriate risk benefit balance.

Acute Hepatitis after Ingestion of a Preparation of Chinese Skullcap and Black Catechu for Joint Pain

Many herbal preparations are routinely used and have been occasionally associated with a wide range of side effects, from mild to severe. Chinese skullcap and black catechu are herbal medications commonly used for their hepatoprotective and other properties. We report a case of acute toxic hepatitis associated with ingestion of Chinese skullcap and black catechu in one preparation for the alleviation of joint pain.

Herbal hepatotoxicity in traditional and modern medicine: actual key issues and new encouraging steps

Plants are natural producers of chemical substances, providing potential treatment of human ailments since ancient times. Some herbal chemicals in medicinal plants of traditional and modern medicine carry the risk of herb induced liver injury (HILI) with a severe or potentially lethal clinical course, and the requirement of a liver transplant. Discontinuation of herbal use is mandatory in time when HILI is first suspected as diagnosis. Although, herbal hepatotoxicity is of utmost clinical and regulatory importance, lack of a stringent causality assessment remains a major issue for patients with suspected HILI, while this problem is best overcome by the use of the hepatotoxicity specific CIOMS (Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences) scale and the evaluation of unintentional reexposure test results. Sixty five different commonly used herbs, herbal drugs, and herbal supplements and 111 different herbs or herbal mixtures of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are reported causative for liver disease, with levels of causality proof that appear rarely conclusive. Encouraging steps in the field of herbal hepatotoxicity focus on introducing analytical methods that identify cases of intrinsic hepatotoxicity caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and on omics technologies, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and assessing circulating micro-RNA in the serum of some patients with intrinsic hepatotoxicity. It remains to be established whether these new technologies can identify idiosyncratic HILI cases. To enhance its globalization, herbal medicine should universally be marketed as herbal drugs under strict regulatory surveillance in analogy to regulatory approved chemical drugs, proving a positive risk/benefit profile by enforcing evidence based clinical trials and excellent herbal drug quality.

Review article: Herbal hepatotoxicity--an update on traditional Chinese medicine preparations

BACKGROUND

Although evidence for their therapeutic efficacy is limited, herbal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations increasingly gain popularity. In contrast to other herbal products, adverse effects by herbal TCM including liver toxicity were rarely reported. In recent years, more cases were published, providing new clinical challenges.

AIM

To summarise comprehensively the literature on herbal TCM hepatotoxicity since 2011.

METHODS

PubMed was searched using key words related to TCM, the results were restricted to full English-language publications and abstracts published since 2011. In addition, the database of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and LiverTox was accessed under the topic 'Drug record: Chinese and other Asian herbal medicines'.

RESULTS

Since 2011, new case reports and case series provided evidence for herbal hepatotoxicity by TCM, focusing on nine TCM herbal mixtures and four individual TCM herbs with potential health hazards. These were the TCM products Ban Tu Wan, Chai Hu, Du Huo, Huang Qin, Jia Wei Xia Yao San, Jiguja, Kamishoyosan, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Lu Cha, Polygonum multiflorum products, Shan Chi, 'White flood' containing the herbal TCM Wu Zhu Yu and Qian Ceng Ta, and Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Other developments include the establishment of a new and early diagnostic serum marker for hepatotoxicity caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, assessed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and new regulatory details to improve herbal TCM product quality and safety.

CONCLUSION

Stringent evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio is essential to protect traditional Chinese medicines users from health hazards including liver injury.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Induced Liver Injury

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is popular around the world and encompasses many different practices with particular emphasis on herbal TCM. Using the PubMed database, a literature search was undertaken to assess the extent herbal TCM products exert rare hepatotoxicity. Analysis of reported cases revealed numerous specified herbal TCM products with potential hepatotoxicity. Among these were An Shu Ling, Bai Fang, Bai Xian Pi, Ban Tu Wan, Bo He, Bo Ye Qing Niu Dan, Bofu Tsu Sho San, Boh Gol Zhee, Cang Er Zi, Chai Hu, Chaso, Chi R Yun, Chuan Lian Zi, Ci Wu Jia, Da Chai Hu Tang, Da Huang, Du Huo, Gan Cao, Ge Gen, Ho Shou Wu, Hu Bohe You, Hu Zhang, Huang Qin, Huang Yao Zi, Hwang Geun Cho, Ji Gu Cao, Ji Ji, Ji Xue Cao, Jiguja, Jin Bu Huan, Jue Ming Zi, Kamishoyosan, Kudzu, Lei Gong Teng, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Lu Cha, Ma Huang, Mao Guo Tian Jie Cai, Onshido, Polygonum multiflorum, Qian Li Guang, Ren Shen, Sairei To, Shan Chi, Shen Min, Shi Can, Shi Liu Pi, Shou Wu Pian, Tian Hua Fen, White flood, Wu Bei Zi, Xi Shu, Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Yin Chen Hao, Zexie, Zhen Chu Cao, and various unclassified Chinese herbal mixtures. Causality was firmly established for a number of herbal TCM products by a positive reexposure test result, the liver specific scale of CIOMS (Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences), or both. Otherwise, the quality of case data was mixed, especially regarding analysis of the herb ingredients because of adulteration with synthetic drugs, contamination with heavy metals, and misidentification. In addition, non-herbal TCM elements derived from Agaricus blazei, Agkistrodon, Antelope, Bombyx, Carp, Fish gallbladder, Phellinus, Scolopendra, Scorpio, and Zaocys are also known or potential hepatotoxins. For some patients, the clinical course was severe, with risks for acute liver failure, liver transplantation requirement, and lethality. In conclusion, the use of few herbal TCM products may rarely be associated with hepatotoxicity in some susceptible individuals, necessitating a stringent pretreatment evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio, based on results of multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.