Guan Mutong is a medicinal herb that has the effect of clearing heat and purging fire. It is mainly harvested in autumn and winter. After removing the coarse skin, it can be dried and used. It has the functions of clearing heart fire, promoting urination, and relieving menstrual pain and lactation. Although Guan Mutong has high medicinal value, it is also highly toxic, so it is important for us to understand its toxicity in detail!
【Symptoms of Guan Mutong Poisoning】
Guan Mutong contains aristolochic acid, which is a toxic component. Excessive intake of Guan Mutong can cause acute renal failure and even death.
Symptoms of poisoning include discomfort in the upper abdomen, followed by vomiting, headache, chest tightness, abdominal distension and pain, diarrhea, facial swelling, frequent urination, urgency of urination, gradually developing into systemic edema, and confusion.
Causes of poisoning include excessive intake and long-term use. Therefore, it must be used strictly according to the prescribed dosage and usage.
Treatment for poisoning includes gastric lavage and enema. According to reports, early administration of adrenal cortical hormone can delay the progression of the disease. Timely hemodialysis can achieve favorable treatment opportunities and effects.
For patients with significantly impaired renal function who develop end-stage kidney disease, replacement therapy such as kidney transplantation is necessary.
【Contraindications for Taking Guan Mutong】
Guan Mutong is contraindicated in patients with kidney disease, pregnant women, and newborns. It is generally not suitable for children and the elderly. This product should not be used for a long time, and kidney function should be regularly checked.
Guan Mutong is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine with the functions of clearing heat and promoting diuresis. It used to be the main ingredient of the widely used Chinese patent medicine Longdan Xiegan Wan.
However, Guan Mutong contains aristolochic acid, which has strong toxicity to the kidneys and can damage the function of renal tubules, leading to renal failure. Because of the close association among the three, although the names of the events may vary, they refer to almost the same thing.
People without damp-heat syndrome and pregnant women should use with caution. Excessive intake of this product can cause acute renal failure and even death.
【Pharmacological Effects of Guan Mutong】
1. The aristolochic acid A contained in Guan Mutong has a significant hypertensive effect.
2. Aristolochic acid A can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, that is, it has anti-tumor effects.
3. Guan Mutong has a diuretic effect.
4. Aristolochic acid A has excitatory effects on the isolated rabbit intestine, in situ rabbit intestine, and in situ cat uterus.
5. Aristolochic acid A enhances the phagocytic function of phagocytes and improves cellular immune function.
