Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Prospective induction of peripheral neuropathy by the use of tartarian buckwheat

4^th Global Summit on Toxicology

August 24-26, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

Fei Yang

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Toxicol

Abstract :

Tartarian Buckwheat is an effective hypoglycemic medicinal herb. Its main active ingredients are flavonoids.We report here 5
cases of new onset polyneuropathy with dyskinesia prospectively induced by tartarian buckwheat products. Clinical and
electrophysiological evidence along with laboratory tests were reviewed and analyzed. All patients were male, with an average age
of 52.2±10.9 years old (range: 40–66 years) and had arecent history of using tartarian buckwheat for diabetes therapy. The average
time of use was 2.5±1.0 months (range: 1.5–4 months). The average duration of the clinical coursewas 0.9±0.2 months (range: 0.5–
1 months). Symptoms included numbness and weakness of the limbs (5/5, 100%), hoarseness (4/5, 80%), dysphagia (1/5, 20%),
bilateral facial paralysis (1/5, 20%), urinary disorders (3/5, 60%) and gonadal abnormality (4/4, 100%). Nerve conduction studies
suggested more severe damages in motor nerves than sensory nerves. All the patients showed abnormality on Von Frey filaments
determination. Hence, tartarian buckwheat products may cause toxic peripheral nerve lesion and the use of herbal medication needs
to be better regulated and closely monitored.