Clinical analysis of 12 cases of drug-induced liver injury associated with polygonum multiflorum and its preparations

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To analyze the characteristics of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) associated with Polygonum multiflorum (PM) and its preparations, in order to raise clinical awareness and provide a basis for rational diagnosis and treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 12 hospitalized patients diagnosed with DILI, who had a history of using taking PM and its preparations, from January 2017 to March 2024 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Hepatology.Results Among the 12 patients, 9 were female and 3 were male, with a mean age of 47.7±16.1 years. The time from drug intake to onset ranged from 1 day to 6 months, with a mean of 70.6±80.1 days. All 12 patients were clinically classified as having hepatocellular injury, with fatigue, poor appetite, and jaundice as the main clinical manifestations. The severity of the injury was classified as follows: 8 cases (66.7%) were grade 1, 3 cases (25%) were grade 3, and 1 case (8.3%) was grade 4. All patients with grade 3 or above had used traditional Chinese medicine formulations. Patients using proprietary Chinese medicines primarily experienced mild liver injury. All patients improved and were discharged after discontinuing PM and its formulations, along with receiving active liver protection and enzyme- reduction symptomatic supportive treatment.Conclusion DILI caused by PM and its preparations is primarily of the hepatocellular injury type. Clinicians should prescribe these drugs scientifically, according to standardly, and with rational judgement. When using PM and its preparations, close monitoring of liver function is essential, DILI should be detected promptly and managed actively, and the prognosis for most patients with DILI is favorable.

Key words: Polygonum multiflorum, Drug-induced liver injury, Clinical charachteristics

WANG Xiong, SUN Ke-wei, TIAN Tao, ZENG Wei-tao, YUAN Wei. Clinical analysis of 12 cases of drug-induced liver injury associated with polygonum multiflorum and its preparations[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2024, 29(12): 1538-1540.

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