Acute hepatitis after use of a herbal preparation with greater celandine (Chelidonium majus)

• Published in: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde Vol. 146; no. 3; p. 124
• Main Authors: Crijns, A P G, de Smet, P A G M, van den Heuvel, M, Schot, B W, Haagsma, E B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Dutch
• Published: Netherlands 19.01.2002
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Chelidonium - adverse effects; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - diagnosis; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - pathology; Female; Humans; Liver - drug effects; Liver - pathology; Phytotherapy - adverse effects; Plant Preparations - adverse effects; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal - adverse effects; Remission Induction; Skin Diseases - drug therapy
• ISSN: 0028-2162

A 42-year-old woman developed jaundice due to acute hepatitis several weeks after ingestion of a herbal preparation containing greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) and curcuma root, which had been prescribed by an alternative therapist due to a skin complaint. After the medication had been withdrawn, clinical recovery was rapid and the hepatic functions returned to normal within 2 months. The hepatitis was ascribed to the known hepatotoxic effects of C. majus. In view of the increasing popularity of herbal remedies, greater awareness of side effects, such as hepatotoxicity, is needed. Quite a number of herbal preparations carry the risk of liver damage. The supposed clinical effectiveness of herbal remedies does not seem to always outweigh the potential risks. In the event of non-clarified liver function disturbances the ingestion of supposedly harmless, but potentially hepatotoxic, herbal products should be considered.