Gynura root induces hepatic veno-occlusive disease: A case report and review of the literature

Gynura root has been used extensively in Chinese folk medicine and plays a role in promoting microcirculation and relieving pain. However, its hepatic toxicity should not be neglected. Recently, we admitted a 62-year old female who developed hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) after ingestion of Gynura root. Only a few articles on HVOD induced by Gynura root have been reported in the literature. It is suspected that pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Gynura root might be responsible for HVOD. In this paper, we report a case of HVOD and review the literature. (c) 2007 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.