Abstract:

The manifestations of hepatotoxicity caused by Chinese medicinal herbs are similar with ordinary liver disease. Many pathological alterations of hepatotoxicity can be seen, such as hepatocellular damage, liver disfunction, increased serum transaminase, hepatomegalia, jaundice, cholestasis, chronic hepatitis complicated with fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis、fulminating hepatic failure, liver tumor, and etc. In most cases, the liver damage is reversible after discontinuation. The commonly-seen herbs which may cause hepatotoxicity are Huang Yao Zi(Tuber Dioscoreae Bulbiferae)、Cang Er Zi(Fructus Xanthii Sibirici)、Lei Gong Teng(Radix Tripterygum)、Ku Lian Zi(Fructus Meliae Azedarach), etc., and the compound preparations are Zhuang Gu Guan JIe Wan(The Pill for Asthritis), Ke Yin Wan(The Pill for Psoriasis), Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Xiao Bupleuri Decoction), and so on. In addition, the improper combination of Western medication and Chinese medicinal herbs may also bring about hepatotoxicity. Except the toxicity of herbs themselves, the other factors include the dosage, time, the body constitution of patients, sensitivity, seasons, and geographic regions, etc. Therefore, the medicinal herbs and their preparations should be used rationally under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and differentiation of symptoms, and the medical skill should be improved, which are the effective measures for avoiding hepatotoxicity.

Key words: Chinese medicinal herbs, compound preparation, hepatotoxicity