National Toxicology Program

Aristolochic Acids

• Primary Uses or Exposures: Aristolochic acids are nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids found primarily in the Aristolochiaceae family of plants. Botanical products containing aristolochic acids have been used in traditional herbal medicine as antirheumatics, as diuretics, in the treatment of edema, in wound healing, in obstetrics (to facilitate childbirth), and for other conditions such as hemorrhoids, cough, and asthma. Aristolochic acids have been detected in plants of both the Aristolochia (notably A. clematitis, A. contorta, A. debilis, A. fangchi, A. indica, A. manshuriensis, and A. serpentaria) and Asarum genera of the family Aristolochiaceae.
• Nomination: Nominated by NIEHS for possible listing in the 12^th RoC
• Basis for Nomination: Herbal remedies containing the plant genus Aristolochia: IARC¹ finding of sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.
  

¹ International Agency For Research On Cancer (IARC)