Snakeroot

Generic name: Aristolochia Serpentaria L.
Brand names: Aristolochiae Radix, Birthwort, Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis, Herba Aristolochiae Mollissima, Mǎdōu Líng, Pelican Flower, Red River Snakeroot, Sangree Root, Sangrel, Snakeroot, Snakeweed, Texas Snakeroot, Virginia Snakeroot

Usage of Snakeroot

Toxicity of AristoloChia preparations precludes their use.(FDA 2001)

Cancer

Animal data

Ethanolic root extracts of Aristolochia ringens showed inhibition of solid tumor growth (in vivo in rodents) and were significantly active in leukemia models.(Akindele 2015) In vitro, activity against leukemia has been demonstrated with aristolochic acids extracted from other plants.(Goun 2002)

Other uses

Limited studies in rodents suggest Aristolochia extracts may exert neutralizing effects against certain snake venom.(Otero 2000, Shabbir 2014)

Potential use of Aristolochia extracts as an insecticide, particularly against the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi, has been investigated.(Pradeepa 2015)

Snakeroot side effects

Aristolochia extracts are carcinogenic and nephrotoxic (see Toxicology section).

Before taking Snakeroot

Avoid use. Aristolochia extracts are known to be toxic. Abortifacient effects of aristolochic acids have been documented in dogs and rodents(Wang 1984); the plant has been traditionally used for this purpose.(Che 1984, Ganguly 1986, Krell 2013)

How to use Snakeroot

Toxicity of Aristolochia extracts precludes their use.(FDA 2001)

Warnings

Based on case reports of nephrotoxicity, including end-stage renal disease and aristolochic acid–related DNA adducts in the renal tissue of some patients, the FDA issued a warning in 2000 regarding the nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity of herbal products containing aristolochic acids.(Duke 2002, FDA 2001, Tomlinson 2020) Aristolactams and 4,5-dioxoaporphine derivatives are related chemical constituents also reported to be toxic.(Michl 2014)

The proposed mechanism for carcinogenicity is that the aristolochic acid component undergoes a reaction to form an electrophilic cyclic N-acylnitrenium ion that binds to DNA, making a DNA adduct. These adducts have been detected in patients exposed to aristolochic acids who have nephropathy or upper urinary tract cancer. They are responsible for causing DNA mutations, which leads to the production of RAS and other cancer-promoting proteins. It is classified by the World Health Organization as a type 1 carcinogen and is in the same classification as asbestos and solar radiation.(Krell 2013, Poon 2015, Sidorenko 2020, Yang 2014)

What other drugs will affect Snakeroot

None well documented. Aristolochic acids have been shown to have antithrombin activity.Goun 2002 In vitro evidence suggests that use with Panax ginseng may increase the renal toxicity of Aristolochia.Bunel 2015

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