H Y D R A S T I S C A N A D E N S I S

This volume of the IARC Monographs provides an assessment of the carcinogenicity of 14 drugs and herbal products. The IARC Monographs Working Group relied on epidemiological studies to evaluate the carcinogenic hazard to humans exposed to the drugs digoxin (widely prescribed for the treatment of chronic heart failure), pioglitazone (used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus), and hydrochlorothiazide (used to treat hypertension). Other agents evaluated included the drugs primidone, sulfasalazine, pentosan polysulfate sodium, and triamterene, and five herbal products (or their components): Aloe vera whole leaf extract, goldenseal root powder, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, kava extract, and pulegone. In view of the limited agent-specific information available from epidemiological studies, assessments of these agents relied mainly on carcinogenicity bioassays to reach conclusions as to the carcinogenic hazard to exposed humans.

The introduction to this work reviews topics of general interest, including the history of plants in medicine, medicinal chemicals found in plants, the popularity of herbal medication, neutraceuticals, drugs from plants, and the economic importance of medicinal plants. The main section contains detailed species accounts of such plants as ginseng, yew, kelp, cohosh, witch hazel, and cranberry. Information provided includes scientific & common names, description & classification, agricultural & commercial aspects, medicinal & non-medicinal uses, toxicity, chemistry, and human interest information. Additional chapters address such topics as the medicinal plant business, the regulatory & legal framework for medicinal plant production & marketing, hazards associated with medicinal plants, and medicinal plant research in Canada. Includes glossary.