Hepatotoxicity caused by Breynia officinalis

Breynia officinalis has the Chinese proprietary name, Chi R Yun, which means dizziness or vertigo for 7 d. In daily practice, it has been used to treat venereal diseases, contusion, heart failure, growth retardation and conjunctivitis in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines. Two hospital-based cases of Breynia officinalis poisoning have been reported to the Poison Control Center. Case 1 was a 43-y-old female who consumed a mixture of 1500 g lower stem and root of Ji Mu Ju in boiled water in a suicide attempt. Her AST reached 264 and ALT reached 2443. Case 2 was a 51-y-old female who consumed 20 pieces of lower stem and root of Ji Mu Ju stewed with meat and 100 ml of wine to treat chronic contact dermatitis. Her AST reached 3815 and ALT reached 6625. In both cases Breynia officinalis was identified as the cause of poisoning. Poisoning in humans involves the neurologic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, urinary and respiratory systems. Hepatotoxic effects have been reported for some Chinese herbal medicines, but not Breynia officinalis: Breynia officinalis poisoning causes hepatocellular liver injury rather than cholestatic liver injury.