Herbal Medicine-Induced Liver Injury in China

Abstract

Herbal medicine (HM) has been widely used to prevent and treat diseases for thousands of years. However, recent increasing evidence shows that HM-induced liver injury (HILI) is not something to be ignored. In fact, herbal toxicity has always been recognized and emphasized in the long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this article, we analyzed the situation of HILI in China and its risk factors in detail. In addition, the legal regime of the HM industry in contemporary China is introduced. Recently, the mechanisms of HILI have been widely studied, and epidemiological investigations into HILI have been conducted. In the future, a comprehensive platform for research and communication could help facilitate the development of strategies to predict and prevent HILI.