Aristolochia fangchi (Chinese: 广防已 guang fang ji), is a species of flowering plant in the family Aristolochiaceae, native to Vietnam and southeast and south-central China.[1]
In 1993, a series of end-stage renal disease cases were reported from Belgium associated with a weight loss treatment, where Stephania tetrandra (Chinese: 粉防己 fen fang ji) in a herbal preparation was accidentally substituted with Aristolochia fangchi.[2][3] More than 105 patients were identified with nephropathy following the ingestion of this preparation from the same clinic from 1990 to 1992. Many required renal transplantation or dialysis.[4]
^Vanherweghem, J.-L.; Tielemans, C.; Abramowicz, D.; Depierreux, M.; Vanhaelen-Fastre, R.; Vanhaelen, M.; Dratwa, M.; Richard, C.; Vandervelde, D.; Verbeelen, D.; Jadoul, M. (February 1993). "Rapidly progressive interstitial renal fibrosis in young women: association with slimming regimen including Chinese herbs". Lancet. 341 (8842): 387–91. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(93)92984-2. ISSN0140-6736. PMID8094166. S2CID32428737.
^Li, X; Yang, L; Yu, Y (2001). "An analysis of the clinical and pathological characteristics of Mu-tong (a Chinese herb) induced tubulointerstitial nephropathy". Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 40 (10): 681–7. PMID11769723.
