Korean J Med.  2003 Nov;65(Suppl 3):S826-S831.

Two cases of acute toxic hepatitis and renal failure after ingestion of the extract of elm bark in lung cancer patients

• Yoon SM
• Lee HG
• Chun JH
• Choi IK
• Lee DH
• Han JY
• Lee JS

Abstract

Traditional remedies, especially the extract of elm bark, are frequently used in Korea. But the exact efficacy and adverse effects are not known. Cancer patients are frequently recommended various traditional remedies by family members. However such remedies may lead to life-threatening complications. We observed two cases of severe hepatic and renal toxicities that developed after ingestion of elm extract. One patient was a 67-year-old man diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). He ingested the bark extract of elm for 2 weeks during routine work-up prior to chemotherapy. He abruptly showed acute toxic hepatitis with cardiac tamponade. The other patient was a 57-year-old woman diagnosed with extensive disease-small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). She consumed the extract of root bark of elm for 5 months during complete remission status and developed acute renal failure. These cases suggest that use of the extract of elm bark in cancer patients must be more careful.

Keyword

Acute toxic hepatitis; Cardiac tamponade; Acute renal failure; Traditional remedies; Elm extract

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Aged
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Cardiac Tamponade
Drug Therapy
Drug-Induced Liver Injury*
Eating*
Female
Humans
Korea
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Middle Aged
Renal Insufficiency*