Product Name: Aristolochic acid

IUPAC name:8-methoxy-6-nitrophenanthro[3,4-d][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxylic acid

Other names:Aristolochic acid I ,Aristinic acid ,Aristolochia yellow ,Aristolochic acid A,Aristolochin ,Aristolochine ,Descresept ,Isoaristolochic acid ,Tardolyt ,TR 1736 ,Aristolochic acid II,Aristolochic acid B

CAS numbe:r 313-67-7

Molecular formula :C17H11NO7

Molar mass: 341.27 g mol−1

Melting point :260 - 265 °C

Aristolochic acid is a rodent carcinogen found in Aristolochia and Asarum, both in the Aristolochiaceae family of plants. Aristolochic acid is composed of a ~1:1 mixture of two forms, aristolochic acid I and aristolochic acid II. In type II, the –OCH3 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).