A meta-analysis of medicinal plants to assess the evidence for toxicity

Sarah Chen; Amandio Vieira

doi:10.2478/v10102-010-0016-0

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A meta-analysis of medicinal plants to assess the evidence for toxicity

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

Volume 3 (2010): Issue 2 (June 2010)

By: Sarah Chen and Amandio Vieira

Open Access

|Jul 2010

Abstract

Toxicity of phytochemicals, plant-based extracts and dietary supplements, and medicinal plants in general, is of medical importance and must be considered in phytotherapy and other plant uses. We show in this report how general database analyses can provide a quantitative assessment of research and evidence related to toxicity of medicinal plants or specific phytochemicals. As examples, several medicinal plants are analyzed for their relation to nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The results of analyses in different databases are similar, and reveal the two best-established toxic effects among the group of plants that were examined: nephrotoxicity of Aristolochia fangchi and hepatotoxicity of Larrea tridentata.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-010-0016-0 | Journal eISSN: 1337-9569 | Journal ISSN: 1337-6853

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Language: English

Page range: 82 - 85

Published on: Jul 30, 2010

Published by: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

phytotoxicity,

nephrotoxicity,

hepatotoxicity,

phytomedicinal informatics,

Related subjects:

Pharmacology, toxicology

© 2010 Sarah Chen, Amandio Vieira, published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.

Volume 3 (2010): Issue 2 (June 2010)