title: Bioavailability study of arsenic and mercury in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using an animal model after a single dose exposure.
abstract: Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) are increasingly being used as alternative medicines in many countries, and this has caused concern because of adverse health effects from toxic metal bioavailability such as mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As). The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of As and Hg from TCM after a single exposure dose using an animal model of female Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups which included four groups treated with sodium arsenite (NaAsO2), arsenic sulfide (As2S3), mercuric chloride (HgCl2), mercuric sulfide (HgS), and two groups treated with TCM containing high Hg or As (Liu Shen Wan: As 7.7-9.1% and Hg 1.4-5.0%; Niuhang Jie du Pian: As 6.2-7.9% and Hg <0.001%). The samples of urine, faeces, kidney and liver were collected for analysis and histological assay. The results indicated that relatively low levels of As and Hg from these TCM were retained in liver and kidney tissues. The levels of As in these tissues after TCM treatment were consistent with the levels from the As sulphide treated group. With the exception of the mercuric chloride treated group, the levels of Hg in urine from other groups were very low, and high levels of As and Hg from TCM were excreted in faeces. The study showed poor bioavailability of As and Hg from TCM as indicated by low relative bioavailability of As (0.60-1.10%) and Hg (<0.001%). Histopathological examination of rat kidney and liver tissues did not show toxic effects from TCM.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Australia. Electronic address: ujang.tinggi@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Ujang
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tinggi
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noller
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seawright
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D018053:Arsenites / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D001682:Biological Availability; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D013440:Sulfides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D018053:Arsenites; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; C045816:arsenic trisulfide; C017947:sodium arsenite; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; C034211:cinnabar
keywords: Chinese medicines; Rat study; Relative bioavailability; Risk assessment