Screening for Corticosteroid Adulterants in Korean Herbal Medicines.
The objective of this study was to determine the presence of corticosteroids in illegal herbal medicines using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We collected 212 herbal medicine samples that were advertised as being effective for treatment of joint pain and bone aches. Samples were from the Korean commercial market during a span of four years (2010-2013), and the method was validated. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.47 to 15.0 ng/mL, and recoveries ranged from 80.6% to 119.5%. The intra- and interday precision ranged from 0.18% to 8.82% and from 0.09% to 8.96%, respectively. Among the samples, three samples (1.4%) were identified as adulterants. Dexamethasone was the only compound detected in the adulterated products. As the corticosteroid-adulteration of herbal medicines may become a major problem and lead to side effects, the continued development of screening procedures for herbal medicines is critical.
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Hyoung-Joon
HJ
Park
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
So-Hyun
SH
Cho
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Ji Hyun
JH
Lee
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
In Sun
IS
Hwang
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Kyoung Moon
KM
Han
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Chang-Yong
CY
Yoon
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Sooyeul
S
Cho
Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 363-700, Korea.
Woo Seong
WS
Kim
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000032:analysis; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D056910:Republic of Korea
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003907:Dexamethasone
adulterants; corticosteroids; dexamethasone; forensic science; herbal medicine; ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry