View source for Aristolochic acid

{{chembox
|   Name = '''Aristolochic acid'''
|   ImageFile = Aristolochic acid.png
|   ImageSize = 178px
|   IUPACName =8-methoxy-6-nitrophenanthro[3,4-''d''][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxylic acid
|   OtherNames = Aristolochic acid I
*Aristinic acid
*Aristolochia yellow
*Aristolochic acid A
*Aristolochin
*Aristolochine
*Descresept
*Isoaristolochic acid
*Tardolyt
*TR 1736
Aristolochic acid II
*Aristolochic acid B
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
|   PubChem = 2236
| InChI = 1/C17H11NO7/c1-23-12-4-2-3-8-9(12)5-11(18(21)22)14-10(17(19)20)6-13-16(15(8)14)25-7-24-13/h2-6H,7H2,1H3,(H,19,20)
| InChIKey = BBFQZRXNYIEMAW-UHFFFAOYAG
| CASNo = 313-67-7
|   ChemSpiderID = 2149
|   SMILES = [O-][N+](=O)c1cc4c(c2c1c(C(=O)O)cc3OCOc23)cccc4OC
}}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
|C=17|H=11|N=1|O=7
|   MolarMass = 341.27684 g/mol
|   Density = ? g/cm<sup>3</sup>
|   MeltingPt = 260 - 265 °C
|   BoilingPt =  °C
  }}
}}

'''Aristolochic acid''' is a [[rodent]] [[carcinogen]] found in ''[[Aristolochia]]'' and ''[[Wild ginger|Asarum]]'', both in the [[Aristolochiaceae]] family of [[plant]]s.  Aristolochic acid is composed of a ~1:1 mixture of two forms, aristolochic acid I and aristolochic acid II. In type II, the –OCH<sub>3</sub> group is replaced with –H.

In addition to its carcinogenicity, aristolochic acid is also highly [[nephrotoxic]] and may be a causative agent in [[Balkan nephropathy]].  Aristolochic acid is linked to increase in urinary tract cancers as well. However, despite these well-documented dangers, aristolochic acid still is present sometimes in [[herbal remedies]] (such as for weight loss), primarily because of substitution of innocuous herbs with ''Aristolochia'' species.

The following substitutions (not a complete list) with ''Aristolochia'' species have been reported: 

* ''[[Stephania tetrandra]]'' (reported in Belgium).
* ''Solanum lyratum'' 白毛藤 báimáoténg (pak mo tang), also known as 白英 báiyīng (reported in Hong Kong).
* Various ''Akebia'' species (Akebiae Caulis) 木通 mùtōng (reported in Mainland China).

==See also==
*[[List of herbs with known adverse effects]]

==References==
* [http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm096388.htm FDA Warns Consumers to Discontinue Use of Botanical Products that Contain Aristolochic acid.] April 11, 2001. 
* [http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm095302.htm FDA Concerned About Botanical Products, Including Dietary Supplements, Containing Aristolochic Acid] May 2000. 
* Health Canada advising not to use products labelled to contain Aristolochia.  August [[2001]]. Website - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2001/2001_91_e.html
* Wing-Tat Poon, Chi-Kong Lai, Albert Yan-Wo Chan, 2007. "Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy: The Hong Kong Perspective." ''Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology'', 9(1):7-14.
*Lai M., 2009. Journal of National Cancer Institute. doi:10.1093/jnci/djp467. (Short summary published as "Chinese herbal products containing aristolochic acid were associated with urinary tract cancer"  in "HemOnc today", page 28, dated 2010-01-25.) 

==External links==
* [http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm095272.htm Complete list] of warnings from the US [[Food and Drug Administration]]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8513171.stm Civil servant told 'Chinese herbal pills are like cola']

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aristolochic Acid}}
[[Category:Carcinogens]]
[[Category:IARC Group 2A carcinogens]]
[[Category:Nitro compounds]]
[[Category:Phenol ethers]]
[[Category:Carboxylic acids]]
[[Category:Phenanthrodioxoles]]

{{commonscat|Aristolochic acid}}

[[de:Aristolochiasäuren]]
[[es:Aristoloquina]]
[[fr:Acide aristolochique]]
[[nl:Aristolochiazuur I]]
[[ja:アリストロキア酸]]
[[Category:2Fix]]