What is aristolochic acid used for?

The aristolochic acid occurring in Aristolochia species used in traditional herbal medicines has been reported to function as a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, and as an antineoplastic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal agent (Buckingham, 2001; Cosyns, 2003).

What is the meaning of aristolochic acid?

Aristolochic acid: Aristolochic acids are a family of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and nephrotoxic compounds commonly found in the Aristolochiaceae family of plants. In sum, aristolochic acid is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic; it is toxic to the kidney and causes cancer.

Does ginger contain aristolochic acid?

What are aristolochic acids? Aristolochic acids are a group of acids found naturally in many types of plants known as Aristolochia (birthworts or pipevines) and some types of plants known as Asarum (wild ginger), which grow worldwide.

Does Costus contain aristolochic acid?

Costus root is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth as a medicine, appropriately. However, costus often contains a contaminant called aristolochic acid. Aristolochic acid damages the kidneys and causes cancer. Costus products that contain aristolochic acid are UNSAFE.

Is aristolochic acid poisonous?

Aristolochic Acids These AA-containing plants have been used medicinally, but exposure to these plants and isolated AAs is associated with renal toxicity and carcinogenicity in experimental animals and humans.

What is the full meaning of acid?

atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability
In computer science, ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability) is a set of properties of database transactions intended to guarantee data validity despite errors, power failures, and other mishaps.

What herbs contain aristolochic acid?

AA is a common ingredient in many Chinese herbs, such as Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochia debilis), Tian Xian Teng (Aristolochia contorta), Qing Mu Xiang (Aristolochia cucurbitifolia), Guang Fang Ji (Aristolochia fangchi), Guan Mu Tong (Aristolochia manshuriensis), and Xixin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari) [9–11], and these herbal …

Is wild ginger poisonous?

They’re very small, but they’re tasty and flavorful. Unfortunately, they’re ever so mildly toxic. Beyond the high dose required for toxicity, wild ginger isn’t meant to be eaten whole. It’s most commonly used in tea, and the toxin is not particularly soluble in water.

Is saussurea costus safe?

Saussurea lappa is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used as a dietary supplement. Common side effects may include dizziness and nausea.

What is the health benefit of Costus afer?

Costus afer (C. afer) is a plant commonly known as ginger lily, spiral ginger, or bush cane. It is reportedly used in traditional medicine practice (TMP) to treat and manage many ailments including diabetes mellitus, stomach ache, arthritis, inflammation, and gout.

What is acid in easy language?

An acid is any substance that in water solution tastes sour, changes blue litmus paper to red, reacts with some metals to liberate hydrogen, reacts with bases to form salts, and promotes chemical reactions (acid catalysis).

How is Aristolochia acid used in Chinese medicine?

In traditional Chinese medicine Aristolochia species are used for certain forms of acute arthritis and edema. Despite the toxic properties of aristolochic acid, naturopaths claim that a decoction of birthwort stimulates the production and increases the activity of white blood cells,…

What are the dangers of herb aristolochic acid?

Herb Danger – Aristolochic Acid Warning. The FDA has issued a strong warning to consumers to avoid herbs containing the chemical aristolochic acid. These herbs have the potential to cause cancer of the urinary tract and permanent kidney failure.

When was aristolochic acid first used in medicine?

Birthwort plants, and the aristolochic acids they contain, were quite common in ancient Greek and Roman medical texts, well-established as an herb there by the fifth century BC. Birthworts appeared in Ayurvedic texts by 400 AD, and in Chinese texts later in the fifth century.

Where is aristolochic acid found in a plant?

These products may have been sold as “traditional medicines” or as ingredients in dietary supplements. Aristolochic acid is found primarily in the plant Aristolochia, but may also be present in other botanicals.