[Chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis induced by wild germander. 3 cases]

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1993;17(12):959-62.
[Article in French]

Abstract

We report 3 cases of chronic liver injury that were observed after prolonged treatment with wild germander, a herbal medicine recently prohibited by French Ministry of Health, following several reports suggesting its hepatotoxicity. Chronic active hepatitis was found in 2 cases, and active cirrhosis in 1 case. The onset of hepatitis occurred after 6 to 7 months of treatment. Serum anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were present in 2 patients. In 2 cases, wild-germander involvement was recognized several months after appearance of liver injury. Following treatment discontinuation, outcome was favorable in the 3 patients. These observations suggest that diagnosis of acute or chronic liver injury of unknown origin should always include the search for herbal medicine treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Beverages / adverse effects
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Female
  • France
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / blood
  • Humans
  • Legislation, Drug
  • Liver Cirrhosis / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Alanine Transaminase