Cessation of nail growth following Bajiaolian intoxication

Abstract

Bajiaolian (Dysosma pleianthum), a species in the Mayapple family (Podophyllum pelatum), has been widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medication for the remedies of snake bite, tumor growth, post-partum recovery, and acne. It has also been used in western medicine, especially topically for various skin lesions. Both oral ingestion and dermal application may result in severe toxicity. The clinical presentations reported after Bajiaolian poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, hepatorenal dysfunction, leukocytosis followed by leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged areflexia, prolonged paraethesia and sensory ataxia, dizziness, fever, memory impairment, hallucinations, paranoia, convulsion, fainting, and coma. There are no previous reports in the literature about the cessation of nail growth as a clinical presentation following Bajiaolian poisoning. We present a case of nail growth that was halted for more than seven years after a single case of Bajiaolian poisoning.

Alleviation of Podophyllotoxin Toxicity Using Coexisting Flavonoids from Dysosma versipellis

“…Plants containing POD and its analogues were used in folk medicines as agents for treating snake bites [21], [43], cancer, viral infection and astriction [44]. Because of its poor selectivity and small therapeutic index, POD has been incriminated in many poisoning cases as a result of either overdose or accidental ingestion [14]–[16], [18], [19].…”

Progressive Organ Failure After Ingestion of Wild Garlic Juice

“…Besides enterocolitis and sepsis, differential diagnosis of the typical colchicine toxidrome (gastroenteritis, hypotension, lactic acidosis, and prerenal azotemia) should include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and metal poisoning (iron, arsenic, mercury). Without any knowledge of the ingested plant, the differential diagnosis is wider (summarized in Table 2) (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”

Therapeutic values, chemical constituents and toxicity of Taiwanese Dysosma pleiantha – A review

“…The patient was not able to walk without aid for several months after discharged from hospital and the rate of nail growth was declined greatly after Bajiaolian intoxication. After seven and half years it was found that patient had no need to cut her fingernail (Chou et al, 2008).…”