Chinese arrhythmia in traditional medicine

Chinese arrhythmia in traditional medicine

Last Updated on May 4, 2018 by Joseph Gut – thasso

May 04, 2018 – All natural is healthy. This is a common belief for many, particularly when shopping for alternative medicines and dietary supplements. For many, however, the contrary might be fatally true.

As a point in case, new research shows, that substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine  (TCM) can cause severe cardiac arrhythmia. Thus,

Dehydroevodiamine (DHE)

extracts of the plant Evodia rutaecarpa are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and vomiting as well as menstrual complaints and ulcers in the mouth area.

Researchers led by Professor Matthias Hamburger from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel investigated the effect of Evodia extracts in collaboration with pharmacologists and toxicologists from the University of Vienna. The natural substances dehydroevodiamine (DHE) and hortiamine isolated from the plant in Basel proved to be very potent inhibitors of potassium channels in the heart muscle. If these channels are blocked, the excitation processes in the heart muscle change, which can trigger severe heart rhythm disturbances, so-called Torsade de pointes (TdP), and ventricular fibrillation and lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Effect confirmed in animal models

The development of severe TdP arrhythmias following the administration of DHE was confirmed by researchers at the University of Utrecht in ECG studies on dogs, a model that is also used to test drug safety in the industry. Further investigations showed that the two natural substances cause oscillations in the heart muscle cells even in very low concentrations, which can cause cardiac arrhythmia. For instance, these substances can get into a tea made from Evodia fruits.

For drugs that may potentially trigger cardiac arrhythmias, it is typically required that a cardiac examination using ECG is carried out before medication. This is especially true for heart disease patients for their risk to be assessed. To date, no clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias after taking Evodia preparations.

Re-evaluate security

Studies at the University of Basel have also shown that the DHE content of Evodia fruits is considerable. Hamburger currently investigates the extent to which these substances find their way into tea preparations. “If DHE and hortiamine are detected, the safety of Evodia products has to be re-evaluated,” says Hamburger. TCM medicinal plants and products reach the European market relatively uncontrolled, and they can also be purchased on the internet.

The authors of the study, therefore, call for increased vigilance regarding possible toxic effects of Evodia preparations. “The popularization of medicinal plants from other cultures entails risks. These plants can contain highly active substances with side effects, as in the case of Evodia. A closer examination of such risks is therefore indispensable to protect the population,” says Hamburger.

Lurking genetic predisposition for SCD in the general population

In the general population, who will at one time or another relay on traditional medicines for alleviating some disturbances on health, the exist genetic predispositions for intermediate phenotypes of SCD such as coronary artery disease and electrocardiographic variables (QT interval, QRS duration, and RR interval) as well as  rare and common variants that are associated with SCD.  An extended understanding of the genetics of SCD and the associated predispositions of individuals for SCD may help to avoid fatal events when relying on traditional medicines. perhaps not only Chinese Traditional Medicines, but also many medicines from other cultures.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Ph.D.; Professor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Senior expert in theragenomic and personalized medicine and individualized drug safety. Senior expert in pharmaco- and toxicogenetics. Senior expert in human safety of drugs, chemicals, environmental pollutants, and dietary ingredients.

2 Comments on “Chinese arrhythmia in traditional medicine