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Case Reports
. 2010 Mar;25(3):492-5.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.3.492. Epub 2010 Feb 17.

Aloe-induced toxic hepatitis

Ha Na Yang  1 , Dong Joon Kim, Young Mook Kim, Byoung Ho Kim, Kyoung Min Sohn, Myung Jin Choi, Young Hee Choi
Affiliations
Case Reports

Aloe-induced toxic hepatitis

Ha Na Yang et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Aloe has been widely used in phytomedicine. Phytomedicine describes aloe as a herb which has anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-aging effects. In recent years several cases of aloe-induced hepatotoxicity were reported. But its pharmacokinetics and toxicity are poorly described in the literature. Here we report three cases with aloe-induced toxic hepatitis. A 57-yr-old woman, a 62-yr-old woman and a 55-yr-old woman were admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. They had taken aloe preparation for months. Their clinical manifestation, laboratory findings and histologic findings met diagnostic criteria (RUCAM scale) of toxic hepatitis. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparations, liver enzymes returned to normal level. Aloe should be considered as a causative agent in hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Aloe; Hepatitis, Toxic.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preparation of aloe which the patient had taken. (A) Container bottle and tablets. (B) Packs of aloe extract.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Histopathological findings of the liver. (A) The portal area and lobular area show inflammatory cell infiltration (H&E, ×100). (B) The acidophilic body and ballooning cell change are noted (H&E, ×200).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Case 1. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparation, liver enzymes returned to normal level.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Case 2. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparation, liver enzymes returned to normal level. After re-challenge (arrow), liver enzymes go up again.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Case 3. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparation, liver enzymes returned to normal level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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