Hepatic injury induced by Scutellaria species and hepatic dysfunction caused by Kampo formulations including Ogon (Scutellariae Radix)

Abstract

There has been an increasing number of clinical reports in the West to suggest that hepatotoxic reactions can be induced by herbal preparations including skullcap of Scutellaria species. In Japan, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (Scutellariae Radix) is used under the name of Ogon, which is included in many kinds of Kampo formulations, such as Sho-saiko-to widely used for treating hepatic disorders. Reviewing the Information on Adverse Reactions to Drugs published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan, we found 22 cases of liver and biliary system reactions caused by Kampo formulations from 1989 through 1993, and in 20 of the cases, six types of Kampo formulations including Ogon were suspected as the cause of the reactions. In two clinical reports of pulmonary damage due to Sho-saiko-to. Lymphocyte Stimulation Test indicated that ogon was the causative factor for the damage. Although there have been no reports to indicate that Ogon can actually cause liver damage, the results of our review strongly suggest the necessity for surveillance of the possibility of hepatotoxic reactions caused by Ogon.