Chelidonium majus-associated liver injury following use of an unregulated herbal preparation
Faculty of Medicine, English Division, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Poland
Infectious Diseases Observational Research Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Clin Exp HEPATOL 2026; 12, 4:
Herbal supplements are often considered safe despite limited regulation and a known risk of herb-induced liver injury. Chelidonium majus (CM) has been associated with hepatotoxicity, typically after prolonged use. This review examines whether liver injury can also occur after short-term exposure. A structured search of PubMed identified reports of CM-related hepatotoxicity, and a recent case of acute liver injury after single use of a non-standardized CM preparation was included as an illustrative example. Existing literature describes CM hepatotoxicity as a predominantly hepatocellular injury developing over weeks to months, with improvement after discontinuation. However, emerging evidence indicates that severe injury may also occur after short-term use, particularly with liquid or non-standardized formulations. An illustrative case of acute hepatocellular injury following ingestion of Bolotov’s ferment, a homemade herbal preparation, is consistent with this possibility. CM-related hepatotoxicity may therefore occur after brief exposures, highlighting the need to assess herbal use in unexplained hepatitis.
Keywords
hepatotoxicity, acute hepatitis, Chelidonium majus, greater celandine, herb-induced liver injury
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