Plantago lanceolata L., folium (ribwort plantain) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) available in pharmacies as a demulcent for the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritations and associated dry cough. This kind of THMP is widely applied among the European population; however, recently, voices have been heard in the public about alleged cadmium impurities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScientific reports about elemental impurities in final pharmaceutical products are essential from a regulatory point of view; unfortunately, there is a lack of studies about this important toxicological topic. The aim of our short communication was determination of total Cr impurities in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEssential elements like Cu, Mn and Zn are extremely important for herbs' growth and physiological functions; however, from a toxicological point of view, the exposure of these elements (as essential elemental impurities) can exhibit potential harmful effects for patients. In Europe, very popular are ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum) as herbal medicinal products for adjunctively in rhinitis (runny nose). Based on posology of ointments with Marjoram herb extract, the exposure to these elemental impurities may be high during long-term use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFor elemental impurities that have been studied for transcutaneous absorption, the available data are rarely suitable for proper toxicological risk assessment - there are multiple factors that can influence this dermal absorption. Hence, in our studies, we applied generic and conservative approach - cutaneous permitted daily exposure (CPDE) described in International Conference on Harmonisation's Q3D Guideline on Elemental Impurities (ICH Q3D). The aim of this article is toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of dermal exposure of patients exposed to nickel and chromium due to application of ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum) available in Polish pharmacies (n = 5, because only five manufacturers produce this kind of pharmaceutical products in Poland).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of elemental impurities (EI) in especially herbal medicinal products (HMP) is a significant challenge for pharmaceutical industry. In Europe, very popular are traditional HMP with valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L., radix) for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and to aid sleep.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElemental impurities (EIs) profiling in final pharmaceutical products is often not adequately treated, however it is crucial problem in pharmaceutical analysis by reason of the various regulatory authorities (like ICH Q3D guideline). EIs in pharmaceuticals may arise from numerous sources of which the herbal ingredients are not a frequent subject of pharmaceutical analyses. However, based on number of traditional use registrations per year for herbal medicinal products (HMPs) in the EU, it can be stated that monocomponent HMPs are still very popular for use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudies related to the toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of heavy metal impurities (HMIs) in pharmaceuticals are an important issue but there is a lack of refereed literature around the safety of Valeriana officinalis L., radix (Valerian root) as herbal medicinal product (HMP) for the relief of mild nervous tension and sleep disorders according to lead and cadmium impurities. The aim of the study was to estimate the TRA of lead and cadmium in Valeriana officinalis L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Prescription food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) and modified milk products (MMPs), available in pharmacies, are important for newborns and infants that are not breastfed. In the scientific literature there is a lack of comprehensive studies and corresponding safety assessment of the essential trace elements in these products.
Objective: The aim of this article was determination of Cu, Mn and Zn levels in the most frequently available prescription FSMPs (n = 6) and MMPs (n = 6) available in Polish pharmacies.
The monitoring of elemental impurities (EIs) in pharmaceutical materials is often not adequately treated, although it is a very important topic because the directive ICH Q3D requires a wide range of elements, often at low concentrations, to be monitored. This article describes the quantitative toxicological analysis of copper, manganese and zinc as EIs in the pharmaceutical gels for teething containing herbs available in Poland. The levels of EIs were measured to evaluate whether the intake of these metals through the gels was within recommended levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrescription food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) and modified milk products (MMPs) for babies in the infancy period available in pharmacies are increasingly frequently used for newborns and infants-especially in cases where allergies and food-borne diseases are diagnosed. However, there is a lack of scientific study around the safety assessment of the elemental impurities in these products. Importantly, the allergen Ni and the problematic metal Cr are little considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControl of elemental impurities (EIs) in pharmaceutical herbal products is currently important but not a very popular topic in modern toxicological analysis. The occurrence and concentration of EIs in the pharmaceutical herbal products should be controlled and meet the standards of directive International Conference on Harmonisation's Q3D Guideline on Elemental Impurities. An interesting area of interest is measuring EIs including toxic and allergic metals in pharmaceutical herbal products for teething.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors investigated the effect of streptozotocin (STZ) in low--micromoles (up to 500 microM)--or higher --millimoles (1-10 mM)--concentrations in culture media of the H35-19 cell line. Up to 500 microM, STZ did not show any cytotoxic or cytostatic action in the investigated cells; on the contrary, it triggered an "improved growth" of these cells, as an antibiotic effect of the drug was observed. The concentration of 1-10 mmoles of STZ in the medium inhibited proliferation and viability of the studied cells.
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