Nephrotoxicity associated with herbal medicine use, experience from Morroco

Summary Aims To study the incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with the use of plants in the nephrology department of hospital university Hassan II Fez, Morocco. Methods This was a prospective study of plants use by patients with kidney disease. Medical records of patients with kidney disease who consumed plants that could be nephrotoxic were reviewed. Information about age, sex, etiology, and bio-data were collected. Results The incidence of nephrotoxicity related to plants use was 3% (18/600) of all the patients with nephropathy coming to the department during the study period. The most plants incriminated in the nephrotoxicity according to the study were: Aristolochia longa, Herniaria Hirsuta, Artemisia herba alba asso, and Cassia senna. Conclusion The use of plants by patients with kidney disease may promote or aggravate pre-existing kidney disease. Hence, the value of monitoring the phytovigilance system.