Chang L W, Yang C M, Chen C F, Deng J F
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Biomed Environ Sci. 1992 Dec;5(4):283-92.
Bajiaolian, one of the species in the Mayapple family (Podophyllum pelatum), has been widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the remedies of snake bites, general weakness, poisons, condyloma accuminata, lymphadenopathy, and certain tumors in China. In Western medicine, Podophyllum was first used medically as a laxative in the early 19th century. Since 1940, the resin of podophyllum has also been used topically for various skin lesions, such as warts and condyloma. Human poisonings have been reported. An animal model was established to investigate the neurotoxic effects of Bajiaolian. Podophyllotoxin, the major active ingredient in Podophyllum, was injected (ip) to young adult male rats at doses of 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg.kg-1 b.w.. The animals were sacrificed 72 h after injection. Neuronal changes were readily observable in animals treated with 10 or 15 mg.kg-1 of the toxin. Edematous changes of the anterior horn motoneurons were observed in the spinal cord. No neuronal necrosis was found. The type of neuronal swelling is believed to be only a transient change and would probably subside with time if no further assaults occur. More serious and perhaps longer term of changes were found in the dorsal ganglion neurons and the nerve fibers (axons) in the central and peripheral nervous system. Severe depletion of the Nissl substance (RNA/polyribosomes) was observed in the dorsal root ganglion neurons. Alterations in these sensory neurons would give rise to and correlate with the sensory disturbances experienced by the patients. Bodian staining also revealed a dose-related increase in the coarseness (thickness) of the nerve fibers (axons) in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. This is the first scientific study showing the neurotoxicity of Bajiaolian, a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine. Toxicities on other organ systems by this drug certainly exist. Caution should be exercised in the dispensing and usage of this medicine.
八角莲是小檗科植物（鬼臼）中的一种，在中国，它作为一种传统的中草药，被广泛用于治疗蛇咬伤、身体虚弱、中毒、尖锐湿疣、淋巴结病以及某些肿瘤。在西医中，鬼臼在19世纪早期首次被用作泻药。自1940年以来，鬼臼树脂也被局部用于治疗各种皮肤病变，如疣和尖锐湿疣。曾有人类中毒的报道。建立了一个动物模型来研究八角莲的神经毒性作用。将鬼臼中的主要活性成分鬼臼毒素以0、5、10或15mg·kg-1体重的剂量腹腔注射给年轻成年雄性大鼠。注射后72小时处死动物。在用10或15mg·kg-1毒素处理的动物中很容易观察到神经元变化。在脊髓中观察到前角运动神经元的水肿变化。未发现神经元坏死。据信这种神经元肿胀类型只是一种短暂变化，如果没有进一步的攻击，可能会随着时间消退。在背根神经节神经元以及中枢和周围神经系统的神经纤维（轴突）中发现了更严重且可能是长期的变化。在背根神经节神经元中观察到尼氏体（RNA/多核糖体）严重减少。这些感觉神经元的变化会引起患者经历的感觉障碍并与之相关。博迪安染色还显示，在小脑、大脑皮层、脑干和脊髓中，神经纤维（轴突）的粗糙度（厚度）呈剂量相关增加。这是第一项表明常用中草药八角莲具有神经毒性的科学研究。该药物对其他器官系统肯定也存在毒性。在调配和使用这种药物时应谨慎。
