Supplementary Table 2 Traditional medicines and edible plants associated with chronic renal disease (often presenting as de novo renal dysfunction).

Common name (latin name) / Countries where adverse effects reported / Indication or purported property / Toxic compound or metabolite / Types of renal injury reported / Other adverse events reported / Outcomes
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)1 / Italy / To induce weight loss, thyroid stimulant, hypoglycemic / Arsenic (from growth of plant in contaminated water) / Tubular atrophy, lymphocytic infiltrate, proteinuria, ‘heavy metal nephropathy’a / Polyuria, polydipsia, glycosuria / Prolonged recovery
Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)2–4 / USA / Cancer, arthritis, cleansing, tonic / Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NGDA) / Renal cysts, low grade cystic renal cell carcinoma / Contact dermatitis, hepatitis / Stable condition after nephrectomy
Chinese herbs (Aristolochia fangchi; Aristolochia clematis)5–10 / Europe, China, USA / To induce weight loss, to improve well being, liver tonic, menopause, “almost any ailment” / Aristolochic acid / Interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophya, Fanconi syndrome, AKI with rhabdomyolysis / Vomiting, gastroenteritis, muscle spasms, urothelial carcinoma / End-stage renal disease, Balkan nephropathy
Germanium5,11,12 / Germany, Korea / Immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory / Germanium dioxide, alkyl germanium / ATN, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosisa / Anemia, muscle wasting, peripheral neuropathy / Persistent renal dysfunction
L-Lysine13 / USA / Oral herpes / L-lysine / Fanconi’s syndrome, tubulointerstitial nephritis. Prominent proximal tubular lysosomes, ATNa / Fatigue / End-stage renal disease
Mesotherapy (comprises drugs, homeopathic medicines, plant extracts and vitamins)14 / Ireland / To induce weight loss / Multiple possible compounds / Tubulointerstitial fibrosisa / Anemia / End-stage renal disease
Willow bark (Salix daphnoides)3,15 / Europe / Analgesic / Salicylate / Renal dysfunction leading to papillary necrosis / Upset stomach, peptic and duodenal ulcers, bleeding, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea / Chronic kidney disease

aDiagnosis made by biopsy and/or post-mortem. Abbreviations: ATN, acute tubular necrosis; AIN, acute/allergic interstitial nephritis; AKI, acute kidney injury.

References

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