Aristolochic acid

Overview
Aristolochic acid is a rodent carcinogen found in the Aristolochia and Asarum species, 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 addition to its carcinogenicity, aristolochic acid is also highly nephrotoxic and may be a causative agent in Balkan nephropathy. However, despite these well-documented dangers, aristolochic acid is still sometimes used as a herbal remedy for weight loss.