Acute Kidney Failure and Hemolysis Secondary to High-Dose Teucreum polium (Lamiaceae): Case Report

Abstract

Traditional medicine is becoming more popular worldwide. Teucrium polium belongs to the mint family and is a medicinal plant known for reducing blood sugar, hyperlipidemia, gastrointestinal tract issues, blood pressure, and urinary tract infections. High doses of this drug may cause liver and kidney toxicity, but this toxicity has not been thoroughly investigated. In this case report, we describe hemolysis and renal failure resulting from Arbitrary and traditional consumption of a high amount of Teucreum polium by the patient. After three cups of boiled Teucreum polium (each cup is approximately 200 cc) were administered to a 45-year-old white woman with an underlying hypertension disease with the intention of abortion, she developed abdominal pain, weakness, lethargy, nausea, fever, chills, anorexia, and hematuria. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hemolysis (LDH = 3903) and a decrease in hemoglobin to 4.7 mg/dL in 12 h. There was also a significant increase in the WBC, Retic count, BUN, and creatinine. A peripheral blood smear revealed +3 schistocytes and acanthosis. Viral markers, indirect coombs, and direct coombs were all negative. The primary diagnosis was acute intravascular hemolysis with renal failure. During treatment, with blood transfusion and hydration of the patient, liver and kidney function gradually improved. Due to the toxicity of medicinal plants, the unsupervised use of medicinal plants should be avoided.