| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 46
| Issue : 2 | Page : 181-184 |
Hepatotoxicity of Teucrium chamaedrys L. decoction: role of difference in the harvesting area and preparation method
Cristina Nencini1, Paola Galluzzi2, Francesco Pippi2, Andrea Menchiari3, Lucia Micheli1
1 Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
2 Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, "S. Maria alle Scotte" Hospital, Siena, Italy
3 Department of Business and Law, University of Siena, Italy
Correspondence Address:
Lucia Micheli
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena
Italy
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.129313
Aim: Two recurrent cases of severe acute liver injury attributed to the use of a wild germander decoction, prepared with some variation in traditional method has been reported. The aim of the present study was to correlate the hepatotoxic effect observed in patients who consumed germander decoction with teucrin A levels. Antioxidant properties were analyzed to assess any possible differences between the decoction used traditionally by the family (without negative consequences) and the decoction taken by the patients.
Materials and Methods: Different types of germander decoctions were prepared in the laboratory by simulating the same conditions for preparing the decoction by the patients and their family members. The levels of teucrin A, the polyphenols and the antioxidant power were determined. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for differences between the groups.
Results and Conclusions: The extract consumed by the patients had higher concentration of teucrin A, lower antioxidant activity and lower content of polyphenols compared with the traditional decoction, revealing an inverse relationship between teucrin A content and antioxidant capacity. These case reports emphasize that more information is needed on the safety and quality of these natural products.
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