The efficacy and safety of comfrey

Stickel, Felix; Seitz, Helmut K.

doi:10.1017/s1368980000000586

Cited by 133 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…98 One of the well-known herbs containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids is Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey. 99 This herb has been used as an external remedy for bone fractures, joint inflammation, and wound healing, and internally for gastroduodenal ulcers and gastritis. 100 Comfrey-induced injury involves fibrous obliteration and destruction of hepatic veins, leading to cirrhosis.…”

Section: Exposure To Herbal Toxinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease)

Fan

Crawford

2014

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology

229

178

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Section: Exposure To Herbal Toxinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease)

Fan

Crawford

2014

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology

229

178

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“…This suggests that the liver tumours in comfrey-treated rats might be induced by the PAs present in comfrey. Indeed, comfrey contains up to nine PAs (Stickel and Seitz, 2000;Kim et al, 2001;Schaneberg et al, 2004), at least two of which, symphytine and lasiocarpine, are carcinogenic when administered as pure compounds (Svoboda and Reddy, 1974;Hirono et al, 1979).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutagenicity of comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) in rat liver

Mei

Guo

et al. 2005

Br J Cancer

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Comfrey is a rat liver toxin and carcinogen that has been used as a vegetable and herbal remedy by humans. In order to evaluate the mechanisms underlying its carcinogenicity, we examined the mutagenicity of comfrey in the transgenic Big Blue rat model. Our results indicate that comfrey is mutagenic in rat liver and the types of mutations induced by comfrey suggest that its tumorigenicity results from the genotoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant.

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“…53 Its usage for medicinal purposes has also been restricted in Canada and the USA. 54 Furthermore, some plants may contain allergens. The traditional Asian medicine banha (derived from the root of Pinellia ternata) is used as an expectorant and cough suppressant.…”

Section: Plant Toxinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The safe usage of herbal medicines: counterindications, cross-reactivity and toxicity

Cock¹

2014

Phcog Commn.

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Background: Plants have been used therapeutically for thousands of years and continue to be the main treatment modality for a large percentage of the world's population. Furthermore, herbal medicine usage is increasing in Western countries as complementary (and sometimes alternative) treatments in conjunction with allopathic medicine. At the same time, the usage of allopathic medicines is being increasingly incorporated into the medicinal systems of developing countries, often resulting in the concurrent usage of both systems. Importance of the Study: Despite the widespread usage in developing countries and the trend of increasing medicinal plant usage in Western countries, herbal medicines remain understudied and there are misunderstandings amongst users and practitioners about the safe usage of these medications, particularly when used in conjunction with other medicines. Herbal medicines are generally not held to the same rigorous standards as allopathic medicines. There is usually a lack of industry regulation and manufacturing standards and guidelines, resulting in inferior (or unsafe) medicines being sold to consumers. Similarly, there is a lack of understanding amongst many medical practitioners of both traditional and allopathic medicine systems of how drugs from the two systems can be safely used together. Aim: The aim of this review is to summarise the current knowledge about herbal medicines and how they can be used safely, with the aim of not only highlighting some of the unsafe uses, but also to stimulate further research. I have also aimed to highlight the need for greater regulation and standardisation of herbal medicines.

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The efficacy and safety of comfrey

Abstract: Herbal medication has gathered increasing recognition

Cited by 133 publications

References 58 publications

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease)

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease)

Mutagenicity of comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) in rat liver

The safe usage of herbal medicines: counterindications, cross-reactivity and toxicity

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