Toxicity of Plant Toxins in Medical Herbs

Dear Colleagues,

Herbal material is popular for maintaining health and curing diseases. Globally, there are more than 25,000 documented species of medicinal plants. Because of the great diversity of related material, improper quality control, and processing, posioning cases are frequently found. For instance, there have been misuses of Aristolochia fangchi for Stephania tetrandra in Europe, America, and Hong Kong, leading to nephropathy. There have also been poisoning cases caused by substituting Campsis grandi with a toxic herb Datura metel, and the misuse of Dysosma versipellis, which consists of a neural toxin, podophyllotoxin, for Gentiana scabra. In many cases, medicinal herbs need to be processed to reduce their poisoning components, or to convert them into useful derivatives. For example, the tubers of Aconitum carmichaelii, processed by steaming and boiling, have their toxic diester-diterpenoid alkaloids reduced and transformed, making the herb safer for clinical application.

Advanced molecular and omics technologies allow us to better-understand the underlying effects of toxins in cells and animals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to offer an overview of the current knowledge in terms of the adverse effects, mechanisms of action, and physiological responses in cells, animals, and human after encountering toxins in medicinal herbs. Review and research articles are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Pang-Chui Shaw
Dr. Ikhlas A. Khan
Guest Editors

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