Bioaccessibility and excretion of arsenic in Niu Huang Jie Du Pian pills

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2006.12.005· OSTI ID:21077768

Koch, Iris; Sylvester, Steven ^[1]; Lai, Vivian W.-M.; Owen, Andrew ^[2]; Cullen, William R ^[2]

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1. Environmental Sciences Group, PO Box 17000 Station Forces, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 7B4 (Canada)
2. Department of Chemistry, 2036 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1 (Canada)

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) often contain significant levels of potentially toxic elements, including arsenic. Niu Huang Jie Du Pian pills were analyzed to determine the concentration, bioaccessibility (arsenic fraction soluble in the human gastrointestinal system) and chemical form (speciation) of arsenic. Arsenic excretion in urine (including speciation) and facial hair were studied after a one-time ingestion. The pills contained arsenic in the form of realgar, and although the total arsenic that was present in a single pill was high (28 mg), the low bioaccessibility of this form of arsenic predicted that only 4% of it was available for absorption into the bloodstream (1 mg of arsenic per pill). The species of arsenic that were solubilized were inorganic arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) but DMAA and MMAA were detected in urine. Two urinary arsenic excretion peaks were observed: an initial peak several (4-8) hours after ingestion corresponding to the excretion of predominantly As(III), and a larger peak at 14 h corresponding predominantly to DMAA and MMAA. No methylated As(III) species were observed. Facial hair analysis revealed that arsenic concentrations did not increase significantly as a result of the ingestion. Arsenic is incompletely soluble under human gastrointestinal conditions, and is metabolized from the inorganic to organic forms found in urine. Bioaccessible arsenic is comparable to the quantity excreted. Facial hair as a bio-indicator should be further tested.

• OSTI ID: 21077768
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 222, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2006.12.005; PII: S0041-008X(06)00477-7; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ARSENATES
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
DRUGS
EXCRETION
EXTRACTION
GLYCINE
HAIR
HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDRIDES
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
INGESTION
LEUKEMIA
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
QUALITY ASSURANCE
QUALITY CONTROL
URINE