Zeitschrift für Zytologie und Histologie

Induction of Apoptosis from Exposure to Aristolochic acid

Abstract

Micheli Sossai Spadeto and Victor Ventura de Souza

The genus Aristolochia gathers plants used in folk medicine, which present in their composition the Aristolochic acids I and II. Among the major toxicological events caused by Aristolochic acids is programmed cell death. Aristolochic acid induced apoptosis occurs in target organs such as the liver, kidney, pancreas, testis, ovary, intestine and lung. Although it is beneficial for the cure of various diseases Aristolochias or Aristolochic acids I and II can also cause necrosis. The objective of this work was to compile information about the effects of Aristolochic acids on the induction of apoptosis. The present work makes an alert when consuming this herb, and derivatives that possess Aristolochic acids.