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Duggal H, Singh G, Kapil A, Mehta D, Kumar S. Elemental and Chemical Phase Analyses of Ras-Family Ayurvedic Medicinal Products. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:3099-3116. [PMID: 35982259 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03389-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fifteen Ayurvedic medicines of Ras-family (herbo-mineral-metallic preparations) from three reputed manufactures were analysed for elemental quantification and their chemical phase identification using the energy-dispersive (ED) and wavelength-dispersive (WD) X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, respectively. The low-Z elements C, H, N, S and O constituting a major portion of these medicines were also determined by CHNSO analyser and further used as input for XRF analyses. The elements of concern, Hg, Pb and As, are identified in different medicine products with disquiet concentration values (maximum concentration values range ~ 4-10%) and that too with substantial variations in the products from different manufacturers. These elements are identified mainly in the cinnabar (α-HgS)/metacinnabar (β-HgS), litharge (PbO) and alacranite (As4S4) phases in different medicines. Keeping in view the high concentration of chemicals of the Hg, Pb and As elements in the Ras-family medicines, it is vitally required to investigate their bioaccessibility and surmise the associated toxicological aspects. It is suggested that the formation of the bioaccessible toxic chemical forms of the Hg, Pb and As elements be avoided during preparation of the mineral ingredients or these soluble chemical forms be removed at suitable stage of the preparation. In view of large variations observed for the Hg, Pb and As based ingredients in the Ras family Ayurvedic medicine products from different manufacturers, adequate quality control mechanisms and production regulations are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heena Duggal
- Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
- College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gurjot Singh
- Department of Physics, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, India
| | - Ashutosh Kapil
- Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - D Mehta
- Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Physics, Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College, Sector-32 C, Chandigarh, India.
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Gut as the target tissue of mercury and the extraintestinal effects. Toxicology 2023; 484:153396. [PMID: 36521575 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is harmful to the environment and human health. The gut plays important roles as the biological, chemical, mechanical, and immune barriers in animals and human beings. It has been known that Hg can be absorbed and methylated/demethylated in the gut, on the other hand, the impacts of Hg to the gut (especially the gut microbiota) is less studied. This review paper summarizes the impacts of inorganic Hg (IHg) and methyl Hg (MeHg) on gut barriers and the extraintestinal effects (damage to other organs such as the liver and brain). Both IHg and MeHg were found to cause intestinal microbial disorders, abnormal metabolites production, tight junction damage, and immune responses in the gut. The damage to the gut also contributed to the extraintestinal effects like the hepatotoxicity by IHg and the neurotoxicity by MeHg. In all, it is proposed that the gut should be considered as an important target tissue of Hg exposure, and the regulation of gut microbiota may have the potential for the prevention and control of the toxicity of Hg.
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Literature review and meta-analysis of gastric and intestinal bioaccessibility for nine inorganic elements in soils and soil-like media for use in human health risk assessment. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 240:113929. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lu YT, Qi WZ, Wang S, Song XN, Yang DY, Song M, Hang TJ. Toxicity and risk assessment of mercury exposures from cinnabar and Baizi Yangxin Pills based on pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 250:112489. [PMID: 31866510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Baizi Yangxin Pills (BZYXP), a popular cinnabar (α-HgS) contained Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is widely used in clinical trials. However, mercury is one of the most toxic elements. The adverse effects of cinnabar-containing TCMs have been occasionally reported in recent years, leading to the growing concerns about their toxicity and safety. AIM OF THE STUDY The health risks of BZYXP and cinnabar related to the mercury exposures were evaluated through blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The distribution of absorbed mercury in rats' blood and tissues were measured by the developed cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometric method. And the tissue damages were determined through the histopathological examinations. For single dose study, the low and high oral doses were equivalent to 1 and 10-fold therapeutic dose, respectively. The multiple doses study was conducted at low and high dose levels every 12 h for 30 consecutive days. RESULTS Significant differences of mercury blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution characteristics were observed between the corresponding BZYXP and cinnabar groups. The herbal ingredients in BZYXP promoted the absorption of bio-accessible mercury of cinnabar and prolonged the elimination process, posing potential health risks. Although mercury was found easily accumulated in kidney, liver and brain tissues, kidney and liver didn't show obvious damages even after 30 days consecutive administration of BZYXP or cinnabar at 10-fold clinically equivalent doses. But brain did show some histopathological changes, and autonomic activities of rats decreased, pointing the potential neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Mercury tend to be accumulated especially when over-dose or prolonged medication with cinnabar-containing TCMs are given. The mercury exposures even at therapeutic doses of BZYXP or cinnabar do pose health risks from the neurotoxicity point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Lu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wen-Zhu Qi
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiao-Ni Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dan-Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Min Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tai-Jun Hang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Sallon S, Roberts S, Tamdin T, Tashi J, Sangmo R, Lhundup T, Pempa P, Tanton TW. Comment on "Traditional Tibetan Medicine Induced High Methylmercury Exposure Level and Environmental Mercury Burden in Tibet, China". ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12953-12955. [PMID: 31621302 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sallon
- Natural Medicine Research Center, (NMRC) , Hadassah Medical Organization , Jerusalem 91120 , Israel
| | - Stanley Roberts
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology , University of Manchester , 131, Princess Street , Manchester , U.K. , M1 7DN
| | - Tsewang Tamdin
- Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of H.H the Dalai Lama, (MTKI) , Dharamsala , HP 176215 , India
| | - Jamyang Tashi
- Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of H.H the Dalai Lama, (MTKI) , Dharamsala , HP 176215 , India
| | - Rigzin Sangmo
- Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of H.H the Dalai Lama, (MTKI) , Dharamsala , HP 176215 , India
| | - Tenzin Lhundup
- Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of H.H the Dalai Lama, (MTKI) , Dharamsala , HP 176215 , India
| | - Pempa Pempa
- Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of H.H the Dalai Lama, (MTKI) , Dharamsala , HP 176215 , India
| | - Trevor W Tanton
- Centre for Water Research, Engineering and the Environment , University of Southampton , University Road : Southampton : SO17 1BJ : United Kingdom
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Zhang BB, Liu YM, Hu AL, Xu SF, Fan LD, Cheng ML, Li C, Wei LX, Liu J. HgS and Zuotai differ from HgCl 2 and methyl mercury in intestinal Hg absorption, transporter expression and gut microbiome in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 379:114615. [PMID: 31175882 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is generally considered as a toxic metal; yet the biological outcomes of Hg-containing compounds are highly dependent upon their chemical forms. We hypothesize that mercury sulfide (HgS) is different from HgCl2 and methylmercury (MeHg) in producing intestinal Hg absorption and disruption of gut microbiome. To test this hypothesis, mice were given orally with HgS (α-HgS, 30 mg/kg), Zuotai (β-HgS, 30 mg/kg), HgCl2 (33.6 mg/kg, equivalent Hg as HgS), or MeHg (3.1 mg/kg, 1/10 Hg as HgS) for 7 days. Accumulation of Hg in the duodenum and ileum after HgCl2 (30-40 fold) and MeHg (10-15 fold) was higher than HgS and Zuotai (~2-fold). HgCl2 and MeHg decreased intestinal intake peptide transporter-1 and Ost-β, and increased ileal bile acid binding protein and equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1. The efflux transporters ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member-4 (Abcc4), Abcg2, Abcg5/8, and Abcb1b were increased by HgCl2 and to a lesser extent by MeHg, while HgS and Zuotai had minimal effects. Bacterial DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) results showed that among the 10 phyla, HgS increased Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, while HgCl2 increased Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria and decreased Firmicutes; among the 79 families, HgS increased Rikenellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and decreased Prevotellaceae, while HgCl2 increased Odoribacteraceae, Porphyromonadaceae, and decreased Lactobacillaceae; among the 232 genus/species, HgS and Zuotai affected gut microbiome quite differently from HgCl2 and MeHg. qPCR analysis with 16S rRNA confirmed sequencing results. Thus, chemical forms of mercury are a major determinant for intestinal Hg accumulation, alterations in transporters and disruption of microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Bin Zhang
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yong-Mei Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, No. 4 Beijing Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
| | - An-Ling Hu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Shang-Fu Xu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Li-Da Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, No. 4 Beijing Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
| | - Ming-Liang Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, No. 4 Beijing Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
| | - Cen Li
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Li-Xin Wei
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Chemical Compositions of Metals in Bhasmas and Tibetan Zuotai Are a Major Determinant of Their Therapeutic Effects and Toxicity. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:1697804. [PMID: 30941186 PMCID: PMC6421027 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1697804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Minerals are alchemically processed as Bhasmas in Ayurvedic medicines or as Zuotai in Tibetan medicines. Ayurveda is a knowledge system of longevity and considers the mineral elixir made from “nature” capable of giving humans perpetual life. Herbo-metallic preparations have a long history in the treatment of various diseases in India, China, and around the world. Their disposition, pharmacology, efficacy, and safety require scientific evaluation. This review discusses the Bhasmas in Ayurvedic medicines and Zuotai in Tibetan medicines for their occurrence, bioaccessibility, therapeutic use, pharmacology, toxicity, and research perspectives. A literature search on Mineral, Bhasma, Ayurvedic medicine, Zuotai, Tibetan medicine, and Metals/metalloids from PubMed, Google and other sources was carried out, and the relevant papers on their traditional use, pharmacology, and toxicity were selected and analyzed. Minerals are processed to form Bhasma or Zuotai to alter their physiochemical properties distinguishing them from environmental metals. The metals found in Ayurveda are mainly from the intentional addition in the form of Bhasma or Zuotai. Bhasma and Zuotai are often used in combination with other herbals and/or animal-based products as mixtures. The advanced technologies are now utilized to characterize herbo-metallic preparations as Quality Assurance/Quality Control. The bioaccessibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of herbo-metallic preparations are different from environmental metals. The pharmacological basis of Bhasma in Ayurveda and Zuotai in Tibetan medicines and their interactions with drugs require scientific research. Although the toxic potentials of Bhasma and Zuotai differ from environmental metals, the metal poisoning case reports, especially lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) from inappropriate use of traditional medicines, are increasing, and pharmacovigilance is desired. In risk assessment, chemical forms of metals in Bhasma and Zuotai should be considered for their disposition, efficacy, and toxicity.
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Wu X, Wu S, Liu Y, Guan R, Liang F, Song M, Hang T. Health risk assessment of arsenic in Realgar and NiuHuangJieDu Tablets based on pharmacokinetic study. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2018; 48:81-86. [PMID: 29773199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
NiuHuangJieDu Tablets (NHJDT), a popular realgar (As4S4) containing patented traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is widely used in the treatment of acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, periodontitis and mouth ulcer. However, arsenic is considered as one of the most toxic elements, leading to growing concerns about the quality and safety of realgar-containing TCMs recently. In this study, health risk assessment of arsenic in realgar and NHJDT was conducted through oral administration of both substances to rats with single and multiple doses, respectively. The total blood arsenic concentration was used as the health risk indicator and determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry after modified Kjeldahl digestion, and then applied to the pharmacokinetic study. For single oral dose study in rats, the low, medium, and high doses of realgar and NHJDT were set equivalent to 1, 5 and 20 times the human therapeutic dose (1.3 mg realgar/kg), respectively. Multiple doses were given at low and high dose levels every 12 h for seven consecutive days, respectively. Significant differences in the total blood arsenic pharmacokinetic profiles were observed between the corresponding realgar and NHJDT groups. These results indicated that NHJDT significantly reduced the total blood arsenic exposure present in realgar, and the detoxification mechanism might be attributed to herb-herb interactions in NHJDT. However, the accumulation of blood total arsenic was significant due to the long elimination half-life and high accumulation index in both realgar and NHJDT groups. Therefore, the potential health risk of arsenic caused by the administration of realgar-containing TCMs should be taken into account for excessive or long-term medication. Precautions should be taken for the clinical application of realgar-containing TCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shanhu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuexin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Rong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Fangmei Liang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Taijun Hang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Liu L, Zhang Y, Yun Z, He B, Zhang Q, Hu L, Jiang G. Speciation and bioaccessibility of arsenic in traditional Chinese medicines and assessment of its potential health risk. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:1088-1097. [PMID: 29734587 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) has caused public concerns about its health risk in recent years due to the high toxicity of arsenic and widespread use of those medicines throughout the world. However, in previous studies the arsenic toxicity was usually overestimated by considering the total arsenic concentration only. This work investigated the total concentration, speciation and bioaccessibility of arsenic in 84 commonly used traditional Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) and Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) to evaluate arsenic's potential health risks to human. Arsenic was found in all the CPMs and 88% of CHMs at concentrations ranging from 0.033 to 91,000mgkg-1 and 0.012 to 6.6mgkg-1, respectively. The bioaccessibility of arsenic varied significantly and was in the range of 0.21%-90% in the CPMs and 15%-96% in the CHMs, with inorganic arsenic as the predominant species. The average daily intake dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) of arsenic in most of medicines were within the safe limits, while in certain medicines, they exceeded the safe threshold level. These excesses remind us that the potential health risk by consumption of several medicines may not be negligible and more control and monitoring of arsenic in medicines should be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhaojun Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Dix-Cooper L, Kosatsky T. Blood mercury, lead and cadmium levels and determinants of exposure among newcomer South and East Asian women of reproductive age living in Vancouver, Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:1409-1419. [PMID: 29734617 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomarkers of the reproductive and neuro-developmental toxicants mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) have been found at higher concentrations in women born outside Canada than in Canadian-born women. We measured blood Hg, Pb and Cd in women ages 19 to 45years living in greater Vancouver (Canada) within five years of their arrival from South Asia (India) or East Asia (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and related their biomarker concentration levels with exposures and behaviors since their coming to Canada. METHODS Participants were recruited through advertisements in relevant ethnic media, locations and groups. Concentrations of blood Hg, Pb and Cd were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-Q-MS) and compared with population values. Biomarker concentrations were regressed against exposures and behaviors assessed by culturally-relevant questionnaire. RESULTS The study recruited 53 South and 111 East Asian women. Median (95th percentile) blood Pb in South Asians was 1.15 (2.71) μg/dL compared with 1.01 (1.81) μg/dL in East Asians. On the other hand, blood Hg at 2.5 (7.3) μg/L was higher in East Asians compared to 0.20 (0.83) μg/L in South Asians. Blood Cd was also higher in the East Asian group: East 0.53 (1.1) μg/L; South 0.27 (0.82) μg/L. Higher blood Hg was associated with seafood consumption, dental amalgams and traditional remedies; blood Pb with home renovations, sucking on metal jewelry, and cosmetics. Blood Pb and Cd concentrations were inversely associated with dairy consumption. CONCLUSIONS Asian women recently arrived in Vancouver had higher blood Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations than same-age Canadian women measured in a national survey. Among South Asian newcomer women of reproductive age, exposure to Cd may continue after arrival. Local exposures to Hg occur through seafood and potentially through ingestion of imported traditional remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Dix-Cooper
- Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control, LL0073 655 West 12 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z4R4, Canada.
| | - Tom Kosatsky
- Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control, LL0073 655 West 12 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z4R4, Canada
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Liu J, Wei LX, Wang Q, Lu YF, Zhang F, Shi JZ, Li C, Cherian MG. A review of cinnabar (HgS) and/or realgar (As 4S 4)-containing traditional medicines. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:340-350. [PMID: 28864167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMOCOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herbo-metallic preparations have a long history in the treatment of diseases, and are still used today for refractory diseases, as adjuncts to standard therapy, or for economic reasons in developing countries. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review uses cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As4S4) as mineral examples to discuss their occurrence, therapeutic use, pharmacology, toxicity in traditional medicine mixtures, and research perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search on cinnabar and realgar from PubMed, Chinese pharmacopeia, Google and other sources was carried out. Traditional medicines containing both cinnabar and realgar (An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan, Hua-Feng-Dan); mainly cinnabar (Zhu-Sha-An-Shen Wan; Zuotai and Dangzuo), and mainly realgar (Huang-Dai Pian; Liu-Shen Wan; Niu-Huang-Jie-Du) are discussed. RESULTS Both cinnabar and realgar used in traditional medicines are subjected to special preparation procedures to remove impurities. Metals in these traditional medicines are in the sulfide forms which are different from environmental mercurials (HgCl2, MeHg) or arsenicals (NaAsO2, NaH2AsO4). Cinnabar and/or realgar are seldom used alone, but rather as mixtures with herbs and/or animal products in traditional medicines. Advanced technologies are now used to characterize these preparations. The bioaccessibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of these herbo-metallic preparations are different from environmental metals. The rationale of including metals in traditional remedies and their interactions with drugs need to be justified. At higher therapeutic doses, balance of the benefits and risks is critical. Surveillance of patients using these herbo-metallic preparations is desired. CONCLUSION Chemical forms of mercury and arsenic are a major determinant of their disposition, efficacy and toxicity, and the use of total Hg and As alone for risk assessment of metals in traditional medicines is insufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China.
| | - Li-Xin Wei
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuan-Fu Lu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China
| | - Jing-Zhen Shi
- Central Lab of Guiyang Traditional Medical College, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Cen Li
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
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Lu Y, Yang D, Song X, Wang S, Song M, Hang T. Bioaccessibility and health risk assessment of mercury in cinnabar containing Traditional Chinese Medicines. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2017; 44:17-25. [PMID: 28965573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cinnabar (α-HgS), has been formulated in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) for thousands of years. Since the total Hg content was accepted widely as the toxicity criteria, the safety alerts have been issued about the cinnabar containing TCMs for exceeding Hg limits. However, cinnabar is almost insoluble in water, the oral absorption is extremely low. Hence, it is not suitable to use the total Hg content alone to evaluate the toxicity of cinnabar containing TCMs. In instead, the bioaccessible Hg is a much reasonable safety indicator. In this study, bioaccessible Hg contents of 29 cinnabar containing TCMs were determined by cold vapor-atomic fluorescence spectrometry after in vitro extractions with the simulated gastrointestinal fluids, while the total Hg contents were determined after acid digestion. According to the daily dosages, the bioaccessible Hg exposures of these TCMs were evaluated, and most of them were within the permitted daily exposure set by the International Council for Harmonisation, demonstrating that these TCMs are safe when administrated following the instructions. However, the obtained results also suggested that the Hg exposure could also be influenced by the herbal ingredients in TCMs and the bioactivities in gastrointestinal tract, indicating the possible health risks after excessive or long-term medication of cinnabar containing TCMs. Considering the influencing factors of the Hg intakes after oral administration of cinnabar containing TCMs, the bioaccessible Hg exposure should be considered as a more rational criterion for evaluating the health risks than the total Hg content. Furthermore, precautions should also be taken to ensure safe usages of cinnabar containing TCMs from both the cinnabar contents and the processing procedures points of view, as well as the daily dosage regimen, for all of them are directly related with the bioaccessible Hg exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Lu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Danyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoni Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Taijun Hang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Bavec Š, Gosar M, Miler M, Biester H. Geochemical investigation of potentially harmful elements in household dust from a mercury-contaminated site, the town of Idrija (Slovenia). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2017; 39:443-465. [PMID: 27056363 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9819-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive geochemical investigation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in household dust from the town of Idrija (Slovenia), once a world-famous Hg mining town that is now seriously polluted, was performed for the first time. After aqua regia digestion, the content of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was measured. PHE-bearing particles were recognised and observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry before and after exposure to simulated stomach acid (SSA). Mercury binding forms were identified by Hg thermal desorption technique and gastric bioaccessible Hg was estimated after SSA extraction by ICP-MS. With regard to rural and urban background values for Slovenia, high Hg content (6-120 mg/kg) and slightly elevated As content (1-13 mg/kg) were found. Mercury pollution is a result of past mining and ore processing activities. Arsenic content is potentially associated with As enrichment in local soils. Four Hg binding forms were identified: all samples contained Hg bound to the dust matrix, 14 samples contained cinnabar, two samples contained metallic Hg (Hg0), and one sample assumingly contained mercury oxide. After exposure to SSA, Hg-bearing phases showed no signs of dissolution, while other PHE-bearing phases were significantly morphologically and/or chemically altered. Estimated gastric Hg bioaccessibility was low (<0.006-0.09 %), which is in accordance with identified Hg binding forms and high organic carbon content (15.9-31.5 %) in the dust samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Špela Bavec
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Mateja Gosar
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miloš Miler
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Harald Biester
- Technical University Braunschweig, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
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15
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Zhang BB, Li WK, Hou WY, Luo Y, Shi JZ, Li C, Wei LX, Liu J. Zuotai and HgS differ from HgCl 2 and methyl mercury in Hg accumulation and toxicity in weanling and aged rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 331:76-84. [PMID: 28536007 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mercury sulfides are used in Ayurvedic medicines, Tibetan medicines, and Chinese medicines for thousands of years and are still used today. Cinnabar (α-HgS) and metacinnabar (β-HgS) are different from mercury chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercury (MeHg) in their disposition and toxicity. Whether such scenario applies to weanling and aged animals is not known. To address this question, weanling (21d) and aged (450d) rats were orally given Zuotai (54% β-HgS, 30mg/kg), HgS (α-HgS, 30mg/kg), HgCl2 (34.6mg/kg), or MeHg (MeHgCl, 3.2mg/kg) for 7days. Accumulation of Hg in kidney and liver, and the toxicity-sensitive gene expressions were examined. Animal body weight gain was decreased by HgCl2 and to a lesser extent by MeHg, but unaltered after Zuotai and HgS. HgCl2 and MeHg produced dramatic tissue Hg accumulation, increased kidney (kim-1 and Ngal) and liver (Ho-1) injury-sensitive gene expressions, but such changes are absent or mild after Zuotai and HgS. Aged rats were more susceptible than weanling rats to Hg toxicity. To examine roles of transporters in Hg accumulation, transporter gene expressions were examined. The expression of renal uptake transporters Oat1, Oct2, and Oatp4c1 and hepatic Oatp2 was decreased, while the expression of renal efflux transporter Mrp2, Mrp4 and Mdr1b was increased following HgCl2 and MeHg, but unaffected by Zuotai and HgS. Thus, Zuotai and HgS differ from HgCl2 and MeHg in producing tissue Hg accumulation and toxicity, and aged rats are more susceptible than weanling rats. Transporter expression could be adaptive means to reduce tissue Hg burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Bin Zhang
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Wen-Kai Li
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Wei-Yu Hou
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Ya Luo
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Jing-Zhen Shi
- Guiyang Traditional Medical College, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Cen Li
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Li-Xin Wei
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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16
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Mercury sulfides are much less nephrotoxic than mercury chloride and methylmercury in mice. Toxicol Lett 2016; 262:153-160. [PMID: 27720909 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury sulfides (α-HgS, β-HgS) are frequently included in traditional medicines. Mercury is known for nephrotoxicity, their safety is of concern. To address this question, mice were orally administrated with Zuotai (54% β-HgS, 30mg/kg), α-HgS (HgS, 30mg/kg), HgCl2 (33.6mg/kg), or MeHgCl (3.1mg/kg) for 7days, and nephrotoxicity was examined. Animal body weights were decreased by HgCl2 and to a lesser extent by MeHg, but unaltered after Zuotai and HgS. HgCl2 and MeHg produced renal tubular vacuolation, interstitial inflammation and cell degeneration with protein cysts in the tubular lumen, while these pathological lesions were mild in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Electron microscopy showed that HgCl2 and MeHg produced spotted swelling endothelium reticulum, while these lesions were mild or absent in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Renal Hg contents reached 250-300ng/mg kidney in HgCl2 and MeHg groups as compared to 2-3ng/mg in Zuotai and HgS groups. The expression of kidney injury biomarkers, kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ngal), were increased after HgCl2 and MeHg, but unaltered after Zuotai and HgS. The expression of renal influx transporters Oat3 and Oatp4c1 was decreased, while the expression of renal efflux transporter such as Mrp2, Mrp4, and Mate2 was increased following HgCl2 and MeHg. These gene expressions were unchanged after Zuotai and HgS. In summary, both α-HgS and β-HgS are less nephrotoxic than HgCl2 and MeHg, indicating that chemical forms of mercury are a major determinant of mercury disposition and toxicity.
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17
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The Tibetan medicine Zuotai differs from HgCl2 and MeHg in producing liver injury in mice. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 78:1-7. [PMID: 27032305 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Zuotai is composed mainly of β-HgS, while cinnabar mainly contains α-HgS. Both forms of HgS are used in traditional medicines and their safety is of concern. This study aimed to compare the hepatotoxicity potential of Zuotai and α-HgS with mercury chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercury (MeHg) in mice. Mice were orally administrated with Zuotai (30 mg/kg), α-HgS (HgS, 30 mg/kg), HgCl2 (33.6 mg/kg), or CH3HgCl (3.1 mg/kg) for 7 days, and liver injury and gene expressions related to toxicity, inflammation and Nrf2 were examined. Animal body weights were decreased by HgCl2 and to a less extent by MeHg. HgCl2 and MeHg produced spotted hepatocyte swelling and inflammation, while such lesions are mild in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Liver Hg contents reached 45-70 ng/mg in HgCl2 and MeHg groups; but only 1-2 ng/mg in Zuotai and HgS groups. HgCl2 and MeHg increased the expression of liver injury biomarker genes metallothionein-1 (MT-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); the inflammation biomarkers early growth response gene (Egr1), glutathione S-transferase (Gst-mu), chemokine (mKC) and microphage inflammatory protein (MIP-2), while these changes were insignificant in Zuotai and HgS groups. However, all mercury compounds were able to increase the Nrf2 pathway genes NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and Glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (Gclc). In conclusion, the Tibetan medicine Zuotai and HgS are less hepatotoxic than HgCl2 and MeHg, and differ from HgCl2 and MeHg in hepatic Hg accumulation and toxicological responses.
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18
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Ramanan N, Lahiri D, Rajput P, Varma RC, Arun A, Muraleedharan TS, Pandey KK, Maiti N, Jha SN, Sharma SM. Investigating structural aspects to understand the putative/claimed non-toxicity of the Hg-based Ayurvedic drug Rasasindura using XAFS. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2015; 22:1233-1241. [PMID: 26289275 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577515012473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
XANES- and EXAFS-based analysis of the Ayurvedic Hg-based nano-drug Rasasindura has been performed to seek evidence of its non-toxicity. Rasasindura is determined to be composed of single-phase α-HgS nanoparticles (size ∼24 nm), free of Hg(0) or organic molecules; its structure is determined to be robust (<3% defects). The non-existence of Hg(0) implies the absence of Hg-based toxicity and establishes that chemical form, rather than content of heavy metals, is the correct parameter for evaluating the toxicity in these drugs. The stable α-HgS form (strong Hg-S covalent bond and robust particle character) ensures the integrity of the drug during delivery and prevention of its reduction to Hg(0) within the human body. Further, these comparative studies establish that structural parameters (size dispersion, coordination configuration) are better controlled in Rasasindura. This places the Ayurvedic synthesis method on par with contemporary techniques of nanoparticle synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitya Ramanan
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | - Debdutta Lahiri
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | - Parasmani Rajput
- Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | | | - A Arun
- Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, Kerala 676503, India
| | | | - K K Pandey
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | - Nandita Maiti
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | - S N Jha
- Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
| | - Surinder M Sharma
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Purnima Labs Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400085, India
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19
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Safruk AM, Berger RG, Jackson BJ, Pinsent C, Hair AT, Sigal EA. The bioaccessibility of soil-based mercury as determined by physiological based extraction tests and human biomonitoring in children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 518-519:545-553. [PMID: 25777960 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.02.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants associated with soil particles are generally less bioavailable than contaminants associated with other exposure media where chemicals are often found in more soluble forms. In vitro methods, such as Physiological Based Extraction Tests (PBET), can provide estimates of bioaccessibility for soil-based contaminants. The results of these tests can be used to predict exposure to contaminants from soil ingestion pathways within human health risk assessment (HHRA). In the current investigation, an HHRA was conducted to examine the risks associated with elevated concentrations of mercury in soils in the northern Canadian smelter community of Flin Flon, Manitoba. A PBET was completed for residential soils and indicated mean bioaccessibilities of 1.2% and 3.0% for total mercury using gastric phase and gastric+intestinal phase methodologies, respectively. However, as many regulators only allow for the consideration of in vitro results for lead and arsenic in the HHRA process, in vitro bioaccessibility results for mercury were not utilized in the current HHRA. Based on the need to assume 100% bioaccessibility for inorganic mercury in soil, results from the HHRA indicated the need for further assessment of exposure and risk. A biomonitoring study was undertaken for children between 2 and 15 years of age in the community to examine urinary inorganic mercury concentrations. Overall, 375 children provided valid urine samples for analysis. Approximately 50% of urine samples had concentrations of urinary inorganic mercury below the limit of detection (0.1 μg/L), with an average creatinine adjusted concentration of 0.11 μg/g. Despite high variability in mercury soil concentrations within sub-communities, soil concentrations did not appear to influence urinary mercury concentrations. The results of the current investigation indicate that mercury bioaccessibility in residential soils in the Flin Flon area was likely limited and that HHRA estimates would have been better approximated through inclusion of the in vitro study results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Safruk
- Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc., 6605 Hurontario Street, Suite 500, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 0A3, Canada.
| | - Robert G Berger
- Intrinsik Health Sciences Inc., 6605 Hurontario Street, Suite 500, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 0A3, Canada
| | - Blair J Jackson
- Goss Gilroy Inc., 150 Metcalfe, Suite 900, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1, Canada
| | - Celine Pinsent
- Goss Gilroy Inc., 150 Metcalfe, Suite 900, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1, Canada
| | - Alan T Hair
- Hudbay Minerals Inc., 25 York Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M5J 25, Canada
| | - Elliot A Sigal
- Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc., 6605 Hurontario Street, Suite 500, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 0A3, Canada
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