Abstract

According to the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health, Traditional Chinese medicine originated more than 3000 years ago. While there are quite obvious medical values suggesting that Dysosma versipallis rhizome is both desirable and achievable, there are still obstacles. Since the therapeutic dose and toxic dose are very close, D. versipallis rhizome poisoning cases were frequently reported. In this paper, the plant source, chemical constituent, toxicity reason, toxic dose, mechanism of toxicity, poisoning symptoms, pathological changes of body tissues after ingestion of D. versipallis rhizome poisoning and medical management are reviewed.

Key words: Dysosma versipallis rhizome, podophyllotoxin, toxicology, review.