HEPATITISANDCOLITISFOLLOWING COLOCYNTH INGESTION: A CASESTUDY

Introduction:Colocynth is a commonly used remedy in some parts of theworldto treat several conditions andmost commonly to control diabetes.

Case presentation: 42-year-old gentleman, known case of diabetes,presented to ER with history of severe colicky abdominal pain, bloodydiarrhea and nausea and vomiting for 6 hours, after ingestion of half piece ofcolocynth. Investigations showed a picture of pseudomembranous colitis andhepatitisalongwithdiabetic ketoacidosis.

Management and outcome:He was admitted, treated conservatively andstarted on DKA protocol. Several investigations were done to clarify thecausesof thecolitisandhepatitis.

Discussion and Conclusions: In respect to his colitis, all possibilities wereinvestigated thoroughly. Given the fact that colocynth toxicity is a well-knowncauseofcolitis,orderofeventsandabsenceofothercauses,colocynthtoxicityisthe most probable cause. Regarding the hepatitis, there are several trials on animals and hadcontroversy regarding colocynth as hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective material.Screening was done for our patient for all possible causes viral, drug induced,hemolysis, and autoimmune. All came negative and the only possible causewascolocynthtoxicity.