He Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum)-Induced Hepatocellular Hepatitis

The document discusses a case of a 41-year-old woman who developed hepatocellular hepatitis after taking the herbal supplement He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) for hair loss. The patient had no prior medical history and her symptoms began after she started taking a new herbal formula that included He Shou Wu. After eliminating other potential causes of acute hepatitis, such as viral, autoimmune, or hereditary etiologies, the most likely cause of her symptoms was attributed to the He Shou Wu supplement. The patient's liver function improved significantly after she stopped taking the supplement, further supporting the conclusion that the supplement was the cause of her liver injury. This case adds to a growing body of evidence linking Polygonum multiflorum to acute hepatitis. The exact mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum liver injury is still unknown, but it is hypothesized that compounds intrinsic to the root of the plant are hepatotoxic.