Investigation of the Role of Chemical Analysis in Causality Assessment of Herbal and Dietary Supplement-Induced Liver Injury.

Our assessment

This 2025 study investigated how chemical analysis of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) could improve the accuracy of diagnosing liver injury caused by these products. The researchers used data from the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), which relies on expert opinion to determine if a supplement caused the injury, but does not typically use chemical analysis of the actual product. The study aimed to see if adding chemical analysis would change the initial expert assessment. The sample size and study design details are not provided in the available data.

How it works

The core challenge the study addresses is that supplement labels can be inaccurate or contain undisclosed ingredients, making it difficult to know if the product itself or a hidden substance caused the liver damage. The researchers propose that chemically analyzing the supplement product could provide concrete evidence of what was actually consumed. What this means for you is that current methods for linking a supplement to liver injury rely heavily on expert judgment, which can be flawed. Adding chemical analysis could lead to more accurate identification of harmful products and potentially safer supplement use [Data not available].

Safety profile

Data not available. This study focuses on the methodology of diagnosing liver injury, not on specific side effects of any one supplement. No adverse event reports from the FDA were provided in this data set.

Our recommendation

Based on this study's approach, it is important to be aware that supplement labels may not always list all ingredients. This research highlights that the cause of a suspected supplement-related liver injury can be difficult to pinpoint. If you experience symptoms of liver issues, such as jaundice or dark urine, while taking a supplement, consult a healthcare provider. Always choose supplements from reputable manufacturers and report any adverse effects to the FDA's MedWatch program FDA FAERS ↗.