What is "aristolochic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) A carboxylic acid derived from phenanthrene extracted from plants of the family Aristolochiaceae; though sometimes used as a herbal remedy, it is a rodent carcinogen and can cause endemic nephropathy in humans

Aristolochic acids are a family of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and nephrotoxic compounds commonly found in the birthwort ( Aristolochiaceae) family of plants. Aristolochic acid (AA) I is the most abundant one. The Aristolochiaceae family includes the Aristolochia genus and the Asarum (wild ginger) genus, which are commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. Although these compounds are widely associated with kidney problems and urothelial cancers, the use of AA-containing plants for medicinal purposes has a long history. Nevertheless, the FDA has issued warnings regarding consumption of AA-containing supplements.