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Lin PH, Chan JY, Guan P, Hong JH, Lim AH, Ng CCY, Yeong JPS, Lee JY, Liu W, Lim JCT, Pang ST, Teh BT. Aristolochic acid-related renal cell carcinoma exhibits a distinct tumor-immune microenvironment favoring response to immune checkpoint blockade. J Pathol 2024. [PMID: 39360336 DOI: 10.1002/path.6349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is currently the standard of care for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but treatment responses remain unpredictable. Aristolochic acid (AA), a prevalent supplement additive in Taiwan, has been associated with RCC and induces signature mutations, although its effect on the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the immune profile of AA-positive RCCs and explore its potential role as a susceptible candidate for ICB. Tissue samples from 22 patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC) were collected for whole-exome sequencing to determine the genetic features and AA mutational signature (the discovery cohort). The corresponding RNA was sent for NanoString PanCancer IO 360 gene expression analysis to explore the immunological features. The formalin-fixed, parafilm-embedded slides of ccRCCs were sent for multiplex immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence stain using Vectra system to evaluate the TIME. Tissues from two patients with metastatic RCC demonstrating complete response to ICB were sent for studies to validate the findings (the index patients). The results showed that AA mutational signatures with high tumor mutational burden (TMB) were present in 31.81% of the tumors in the discovery cohort. Three distinct clusters were observed through NanoString analysis. Clusters 1 and 3 were composed mainly of AA-positive RCCs. Cluster 3 RCCs exhibited higher tumor inflammation signature scores and higher immune cell type scores. Vectra analysis revealed a higher percentage of CD15+ and BATF3+ cells in cluster 1, whereas the percentage of CD8+ cells was potentially higher in cluster 3. Strong AA mutational signatures were found in the tumors of two index patients, and both were grouped to cluster 3. In conclusion, AA may induce higher TMB and alter the immune microenvironment in RCCs, which makes the tumors more susceptible to ICB. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hung Lin
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Peiyong Guan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Han Hong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Abner Herbert Lim
- Cancer Discovery Hub, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Integrative Biology for Theranostics Lab, Cancer Signaling & Therapies Programme, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Pathology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Yi Lee
- Cancer Discovery Hub, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Liu
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Integrative Biology for Theranostics Lab, Cancer Signaling & Therapies Programme, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - See-Tong Pang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
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Pei Y, Liu Z, Yu D, Zhang X, Sun W, Chen X, Feng X, Li X. Molecular quantification of herbs (Herb-Q): a pyrosequencing-based approach and its application in Pinellia ternata. Chin J Nat Med 2024; 22:663-672. [PMID: 39059835 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(24)60636-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Variations in herb dosage due to species adulteration and dosing inaccuracies can substantially affect clinical safety and efficacy. Accurate species quantification remains challenging, as current methods often yield inconsistent results. This study introduces a novel pyrosequencing-based technique, termed herb molecular quantification (Herb-Q), designed to precisely quantify herbal products. We evaluated its effectiveness using Pinellia ternata and five of its adulterants. Initially, we assessed commonly used DNA barcodes with sequences from a public database, identifying two candidate regions, Maturase K (matK) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), for screening specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, allowing for species-specific identification. These loci were validated by amplifying and sequencing genomic material from collected samples. Our validation studies showed that Herb-Q demonstrated excellent linearity, accuracy, repeatability, and detection limits. We established quantitative standard curves with high R2 values (> 0.99) to enable precise species quantification, which were combined with external standards to provide clear and accurate visual quantification results. The average bias in quantifying the tuber of P. ternata was 2.38%, confirming that Herb-Q can accurately identify and quantify herbal product constituents. Moreover, the entire quantification process took less than 4 h. This study presents a novel, rapid method for accurately quantifying species in herbal products and advances the application of DNA barcoding from species identification to quantitative detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Pei
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Dade Yu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Bijie Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bijie 551700, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaofang Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Health Industry of Bijie, Bijie Medical College, Bijie 551700, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Xiwen Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Tu DZ, Liu PQ, Zhu GH, Zeng HR, Deng YY, Huang J, Niu XT, Liu YF, Hu J, Liang XM, Finel M, Wang P, Ge GB. Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1As catalyze aristolochic acid D O-glucuronidation to form a lesser nephrotoxic glucuronide. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118116. [PMID: 38548118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aristolochic acids (AAs) are naturally occurring nitro phenanthrene carboxylic acids primarily found in plants of the Aristolochiaceae family. Aristolochic acid D (AAD) is a major constituent in the roots and rhizomes of the Chinese herb Xixin (the roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides F. Schmidt), which is a key material for preparing a suite of marketed Chinese medicines. Structurally, AAD is nearly identical to the nephrotoxic aristolochic acid I (AAI), with an additional phenolic group at the C-6 site. Although the nephrotoxicity and metabolic pathways of AAI have been well-investigated, the metabolic pathway(s) of AAD in humans and the influence of AAD metabolism on its nephrotoxicity has not been investigated yet. AIM OF THE STUDY To identify the major metabolites of AAD in human tissues and to characterize AAD O-glucuronidation kinetics in different enzyme sources, as well as to explore the influence of AAD O-glucuronidation on its nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS The O-glucuronide of AAD was biosynthesized and its chemical structure was fully characterized by both 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Reaction phenotyping assays, chemical inhibition assays, and enzyme kinetics analyses were conducted to assess the crucial enzymes involved in AAD O-glucuronidation in humans. Docking simulations were performed to mimic the catalytic conformations of AAD in human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), while the predicted binding energies and distances between the deprotonated C-6 phenolic group of AAD and the glucuronyl moiety of UDPGA in each tested human UGT isoenzyme were measured. The mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HK-2 cells treated with either AAI, or AAD, or AAD O-glucuronide were tested, to elucidate the impact of O-glucuronidation on the nephrotoxicity of AAD. RESULTS AAD could be rapidly metabolized in human liver and intestinal microsomes (HLM and HIM, respectively) to form a mono-glucuronide, which was purified and fully characterized as AAD-6-O-β-D-glucuronide (AADG) by NMR. UGT1A1 was the predominant enzyme responsible for AAD-6-O-glucuronidation, while UGT1A9 contributed to a lesser extent. AAD-6-O-glucuronidation in HLM, HIM, UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with the Km values of 4.27 μM, 9.05 μM, 3.87 μM, and 7.00 μM, respectively. Docking simulations suggested that AAD was accessible to the catalytic cavity of UGT1A1 or UGT1A9 and formed catalytic conformations. Further investigations showed that both AAI and AAD could trigger the elevated intracellular ROS levels and induce mitochondrial dysfunction and in HK-2 cells, but AADG was hardly to trigger ROS accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction. CONCLUSION Collectively, UGT1A-catalyzed AAD 6-O-glucuronidation represents a crucial detoxification pathway of this naturally occurring AAI analogs in humans, which is very different from that of AAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Zhu Tu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Pei-Qi Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guang-Hao Zhu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hai-Rong Zeng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yan-Yan Deng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Shanghai Institute of Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Niu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yan-Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Nephrology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Xin-Miao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Moshe Finel
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Ping Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guang-Bo Ge
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Shkryl YN, Tchernoded GK, Yugay YA, Grigorchuk VP, Sorokina MR, Gorpenchenko TY, Kudinova OD, Degtyarenko AI, Onishchenko MS, Shved NA, Kumeiko VV, Bulgakov VP. Enhanced Production of Nitrogenated Metabolites with Anticancer Potential in Aristolochia manshuriensis Hairy Root Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11240. [PMID: 37511000 PMCID: PMC10379662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aristolochia manshuriensis is a relic liana, which is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and is endemic to the Manchurian floristic region. Since this plant is rare and slow-growing, alternative sources of its valuable compounds could be explored. Herein, we established hairy root cultures of A. manshuriensis transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes root oncogenic loci (rol)B and rolC genes. The accumulation of nitrogenous secondary metabolites significantly improved in transgenic cell cultures. Specifically, the production of magnoflorine reached up to 5.72 mg/g of dry weight, which is 5.8 times higher than the control calli and 1.7 times higher than in wild-growing liana. Simultaneously, the amounts of aristolochic acids I and II, responsible for the toxicity of Aristolochia species, decreased by more than 10 fold. Consequently, the hairy root extracts demonstrated pronounced cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma cells (U-87 MG), cervical cancer cells (HeLa CCL-2), and colon carcinoma (RKO) cells. However, they did not exhibit significant activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Our findings suggest that hairy root cultures of A. manshuriensis could be considered for the rational production of valuable A. manshuriensis compounds by the modification of secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury N Shkryl
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Galina K Tchernoded
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Yulia A Yugay
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Valeria P Grigorchuk
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Maria R Sorokina
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Tatiana Y Gorpenchenko
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Olesya D Kudinova
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Anton I Degtyarenko
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Maria S Onishchenko
- Department of Medical Biology and Biotechnology, Far Eastern Federal University, 690950 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Nikita A Shved
- Department of Medical Biology and Biotechnology, Far Eastern Federal University, 690950 Vladivostok, Russia
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Vadim V Kumeiko
- Department of Medical Biology and Biotechnology, Far Eastern Federal University, 690950 Vladivostok, Russia
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Victor P Bulgakov
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 159 Stoletija Str., 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
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Ji H, Zhang G, Zhou X. Rapid simultaneous determination of thirteen aristolochic acids analogs in Aristolochiaceae plants by Ultra-High-Performance liquid Chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1225:123753. [PMID: 37216764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Asarum and Aristolochia are two large genera of Aristolochiaceae plants containing typical toxicant aristolochic acid analogs(AAAs), AAAs can be deemed as toxicity markers of Aristolochiaceae plants. Based on the least AAAs in dry roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides, Asarum sieboldii Miq and Asarum sieboldii var, all of which are enrolled in the Chinese pharmacopeia up to now. AAAs distribution in Aristolochiaceae plants, especially Asarum L. plants, is still obscure and controversial due to few AAAs measured, unverified species of Asarum, and complicated pretreatment in analytical samples making the results more challenging to reproduce. In the present study, a simple ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode for simultaneous determination of thirteen AAAs was developed for evaluating the distribution of toxicity phytochemicals in Aristolochiaceae plants. The sample was prepared by extracting Asarum and Aristolochia powder with methanol, and the supernatant was analyzed using the Agilent 6410 system on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS PFP column with gradient elution of water and acetonitrile, containing 1% v/v formic acid (FA) each, at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The chromatographic condition provided good peak shape and resolution. The method was linear over the specific ranges with the coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.990. Satisfactory intra- and inter-day precisions were achieved with RSD less than 9.79%, and the average recovery factors obtained were in the range of 88.50%~105.49%%. The proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous quantification of the 13 AAAs in 19 samples from 5 Aristolochiaceae species, especially three Asarum L. species enrolled in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Except Asarum heterotropoides, the results supported that the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition) adopting the root with rhizome as medicinal parts of Herba Asari instead of the whole herb for drug safety by providing scientific data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Ji
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng 224005, China.
| | - Gaole Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng 224001, China
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Yagüe E, Sun H, Hu Y. East Wind, West Wind: Toward the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1057817. [PMID: 36440293 PMCID: PMC9685990 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1057817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has used herbal remedies for more than 2,000 years. The use of complimentary therapies has increased dramatically during the last years, especially in the West, and the incorporation and modernization of TCM in current medical practice is gaining momentum. We reflect on the main bottlenecks in the modernization of arcane Chinese herbal medicine: lack of standardization, safety concerns and poor quality of clinical trials, as well as the ways these are being overcome. Progress in these areas will facilitate the implementation of an efficacy approach, in which only successful clinical trials lead to the molecular characterization of active compounds and their mechanism of action. Traditional pharmacological methodologies will produce novel leads and drugs, and we describe TCM successes such as the discovery of artemisinin as well as many others still in the pipeline. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease are the main cause of mortality in the Western world and, with an increasing old population in South East Asia, this trend will also increase in the Far East. TCM has been used for long time for treating these diseases in China and other East Asian countries. However, the holistic nature of TCM requires a paradigm shift. By changing our way of thinking, from "one-target, one-drug" to "network-target, multiple-component-therapeutics," network pharmacology, together with other system biology methodologies, will pave the way toward TCM modernization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Yagüe
- Division of Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - He Sun
- The State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Tasly Academy, Tasly Holding Group Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Yunhui Hu
- Cloudphar Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
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Das S, Thakur S, Korenjak M, Sidorenko VS, Chung FFL, Zavadil J. Aristolochic acid-associated cancers: a public health risk in need of global action. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:576-591. [PMID: 35854147 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00494-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a group of naturally occurring compounds present in many plant species of the Aristolochiaceae family. Exposure to AA is a significant risk factor for severe nephropathy, and urological and hepatobiliary cancers (among others) that are often recurrent and characterized by the prominent mutational fingerprint of AA. However, herbal medicinal products that contain AA continue to be manufactured and marketed worldwide with inadequate regulation, and possible environmental exposure routes receive little attention. As the trade of food and dietary supplements becomes increasingly globalized, we propose that further inaction on curtailing AA exposure will have far-reaching negative effects on the disease trends of AA-associated cancers. Our Review aims to systematically present the historical and current evidence for the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of AA, and the effect of removing sources of AA exposure on cancer incidence trends. We discuss the persisting challenges of assessing the scale of AA-related carcinogenicity, and the obstacles that must be overcome in curbing AA exposure and preventing associated cancers. Overall, this Review aims to strengthen the case for the implementation of prevention measures against AA's multifaceted, detrimental and potentially fully preventable effects on human cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Das
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Shefali Thakur
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Korenjak
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Viktoriya S Sidorenko
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France.
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
| | - Jiri Zavadil
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Lyon, France.
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Xu W, Zhu P, Xin T, Lou Q, Li R, Fu W, Ma T, Song J. Droplet digital PCR for the identification of plant-derived adulterants in highly processed products. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 105:154376. [PMID: 35963193 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high sensitivity of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) contributes to its excellent performance in animal and microorganism identification, but the utilization of ddPCR is limited in plant adulterant identification of highly processed products for which effective methods are lacking. PURPOSE This study investigated the feasibility of ddPCR in the identification of plant adulterants in Chinese patent medicine (CPM) as groundwork to develop ddPCR assays for other highly processed goods. METHODS The original plant, processed and highly processed products of Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) and its two adulterants were used to analyze the specificity, sensitivity, and practical performance of the developed singleplex and triplex ddPCR assays. RESULTS The results revealed that the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the selective ddPCR assays developed to identify Mutong and its adulterants were 0.00002 ng/μl and 0.00016 ng/μl, respectively, and that the regression equations representing the relationships between DNA concentration and target copy number all exhibited good linearity. Furthermore, the common adulterant of Mutong in three samples of Longdan Xiegan pills was successfully identified through ddPCR assays and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSION This work comprehensively revealed the great ability of ddPCR technology in detecting plant adulterants in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), providing a method for the quality control of highly processed plant products with complex components for commonly used goods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Pengyu Zhu
- Institute of Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Tianyi Xin
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qian Lou
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ranjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Institute of Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Tingyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Resource, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan Branch Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinghong 666100, China.
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9
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Kobets T, Smith BPC, Williams GM. Food-Borne Chemical Carcinogens and the Evidence for Human Cancer Risk. Foods 2022; 11:2828. [PMID: 36140952 PMCID: PMC9497933 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Commonly consumed foods and beverages can contain chemicals with reported carcinogenic activity in rodent models. Moreover, exposures to some of these substances have been associated with increased cancer risks in humans. Food-borne carcinogens span a range of chemical classes and can arise from natural or anthropogenic sources, as well as form endogenously. Important considerations include the mechanism(s) of action (MoA), their relevance to human biology, and the level of exposure in diet. The MoAs of carcinogens have been classified as either DNA-reactive (genotoxic), involving covalent reaction with nuclear DNA, or epigenetic, involving molecular and cellular effects other than DNA reactivity. Carcinogens are generally present in food at low levels, resulting in low daily intakes, although there are some exceptions. Carcinogens of the DNA-reactive type produce effects at lower dosages than epigenetic carcinogens. Several food-related DNA-reactive carcinogens, including aflatoxins, aristolochic acid, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene and ethylene oxide, are recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as causes of human cancer. Of the epigenetic type, the only carcinogen considered to be associated with increased cancer in humans, although not from low-level food exposure, is dioxin (TCDD). Thus, DNA-reactive carcinogens in food represent a much greater risk than epigenetic carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Kobets
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Benjamin P. C. Smith
- Future Ready Food Safety Hub, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Gary M. Williams
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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10
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Garrett B, Caulfield T, Murdoch B, Brignall M, Kapur AK, Murphy S, Nelson E, Reardon J, Harrison M, Hislop J, Wilson‐Keates BJ, Anthony J, Loewen PS, Musoke RM, Braun J. A taxonomy of risk-associated alternative health practices: A Delphi study. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:1163-1181. [PMID: 34041822 PMCID: PMC9291966 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Defining alternative health care and the recording of associated adverse events and harm remains problematic. This Canadian study aimed to establish and classify risk-associated alternative health practices in a Delphi study undertaken with an interdisciplinary panel of 17 health experts in 2020. It provides a new functional definition of alternative health care and an initial taxonomy of risk-associated alternative health care practices. A number of risk-associated practices were identified and categorized into general practices that conflict with biomedical care or largely untested therapies, alternative beliefs systems, physical manipulative alternative therapies, and herbal and nutritional supplements. Some risk significant harms including major physical injuries or even death. The lack of systematic methods for recording adverse events in alternative health care makes establishing the frequency of such events challenging. However, it is important that people engaging with alternative health care understand they are not necessarily risk-free endeavours, and what those risks are.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernie Garrett
- School of NursingUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Timothy Caulfield
- Faculty of LawHealth Law InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Blake Murdoch
- Faculty of LawHealth Law InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | | | | | - Susan Murphy
- Department of Physical TherapyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Erin Nelson
- Faculty of LawHealth Law InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jillian Reardon
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Mark Harrison
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS)St. Paul’s HospitalVancouverBCCanada
| | - Jonathan Hislop
- Family MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | | | - Joseph Anthony
- Department of Physical TherapyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Peter S. Loewen
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Richard M. Musoke
- School of Population and Public HealthUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Joan Braun
- Bora Laskin Faculty of LawLakehead UniversityThunder BayONCanada
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11
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Xian Z, Tian J, Zhang Y, Meng J, Zhao Y, Li C, Yi Y, Han J, Liu S, Wang L, Pan C, Wang D, Wang F, Liang A. Study on the potential nephrotoxicity and mutagenicity of aristolochic acid IVa and its mechanism. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112081. [PMID: 34463271 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous reports demonstrated that aristolochic acids (AAs) exposure-induced nephrotoxicity, mutations, and tumorigenesis are mainly due to aristolochic acid I (AAI). Notably, the chemical structure of aristolochic acid IVa (AAIVa), which exists at higher levels in many Aristolochiaceae herbs, is extremely similar to AAI. In lack of toxicological data, it is unknown whether AAIVa exposure leads to aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), mutations, and tumorigenesis as of AAI. To answer these questions, mice were administered AAIVa by single or repeated long-term gavage, while AAI was used as a positive control. We found that single gavage of 40 mg/kg of AAIVa exhibited no obvious toxicity. Also, there were no tumors or death in mice administrated with 1 and 10 mg/kg of AAIVa for 6 months followed by a 12-month recovery time. There were no noteworthy alterations in gene mutation frequency in the kidney, liver, and stomach between the AAIVa and control mice. Fascinatingly, AA-associated mutational signatures, adenine-to-thymine (A>T) transversions, were absent in AAIVa-treated mice. Nonetheless, 10 mg/kg of AAIVa triggered lymphocytic infiltration and slight fibrous hyperplasia in the kidney at the 6th month; however, these were alleviated at the 12th and 18th months. On the contrary, AAI (positive control) caused severe diffuse fibrosis, tubular atrophy, necrosis, tumors in the forestomach and kidney, and death after the 6th month. It seems that long-term AAIVa exposure induced mild renal lesions could be due to the activation of the canonical or noncanonical transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) pathway. Overall, these findings suggest that the mutagenicity and carcinogenic risk of AAIVa are very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Xian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jingzhuo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yushi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yan Yi
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jiayin Han
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Suyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lianmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chen Pan
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Dunfang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Aihua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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12
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Vo Van Regnault G, Costa MC, Adanić Pajić A, Bico AP, Bischofova S, Blaznik U, Menniti-Ippolito F, Pilegaard K, Rodrigues C, Margaritis I. The need for European harmonization of Nutrivigilance in a public health perspective: a comprehensive review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:8230-8246. [PMID: 34036844 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1926904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
According to the European Union regulation, some countries have established a pre-market notification system for food supplements while others have not. As this regulation is unfulfilled, a notified and marketed food supplement ingredient in one country may be forbidden in another. Even though food supplements shall not be placed on the market if unsafe, some products may still expose the consumers to risks. The risk is increased by easier access due to worldwide dissemination fostered by the internet and free movement of goods in the European Union. The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed and the Emerging Risks Exchange Network are described. To date, the European Union legislation does not include a provision to establish a dedicated vigilance system for food supplements (Nutrivigilance). Six European Union countries have nevertheless set up national systems, which are presented. The present lack of European Union data collection harmonization, does not allow easy cooperation between countries. This article advocates for creating a coordinated European Nutrivigilance System to detect and scrutinize adverse effects of food supplements. This, to help in directing science-based risk assessments and reinforce the science-based decision of policy makers to improve public health safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vo Van Regnault
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - M C Costa
- Economy and Food Safety Standards Authority (ASAE), Lisboa, Portugal.,CBIOS - Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Lisboa, Portugal.,NICiTeS, Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Adanić Pajić
- Croatian National Institute of Public Health (CIPH), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - A P Bico
- Directorate of Nutrition and Food Services, Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Bischofova
- Center for Health, Nutrition and Food - National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - U Blaznik
- National Institute of Public Health Slovenia (NIJZ), Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - K Pilegaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - C Rodrigues
- CBIOS - Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Lisboa, Portugal.,Directorate of Nutrition and Food Services, Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I Margaritis
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
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13
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Au CK, Zhang J, Chan CK, Li C, Liu G, Pavlović NM, Yao J, Chan W. Determination of Aristolochic Acids in Vegetables: Nephrotoxic and Carcinogenic Environmental Pollutants Contaminating a Broad Swath of the Food Supply and Driving Incidence of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:2446-2454. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Guorui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | | | - Jing Yao
- Department of Mathematics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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14
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Boot A, Jiang N, Rozen SG. Toward clinical understanding of aristolochic acid upper-tract urothelial carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:5578-5580. [PMID: 32373232 PMCID: PMC7196294 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A cluster of patients poisoned by herbal medicine in the 1990s revealed that aristolochic acid (AA) causes kidney failure and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Recent research demonstrated that this was not an isolated incident; on the contrary, AA exposure is widespread in East Asia. This editorial highlights research by Lu and colleagues that investigates clinical characteristics of AA and non-AA UTUCs from 90 patients in Beijing based on the AA mutational signature. The study also detected AA mutations in non-tumor tissue of AA exposed patients and showed that AA mutations can be detected in urine, which might form the basis for non-invasive tests for AA exposure.
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15
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Chan CK, Chan KKJ, Pavlović NM, Chan W. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of aristolochic acids in soil samples collected from Serbia: Link to Balkan endemic nephropathy. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2020; 34 Suppl 1:e8547. [PMID: 31392776 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Over the past six decades, residents of farming villages in multiple countries of the Balkan peninsula have been suffering from a unique type of chronic renal disease, Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). It was speculated that environmental pollution by aristolochic acids (AAs) produced naturally by Aristolochia clematitis L., a weed that grows in the area, was causing the disease. However, the human exposure pathway to this class of phytotoxin remains obscure. Knowledge of the sink and stability of AAs in the environment would assist in the formulation of policy reducing exposure risk. METHODS Using our newly developed liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method of high sensitivity and selectivity, we analysed over 130 soil samples collected from cultivation fields in southern Serbia for the presence of AAs. The environmental stability of AAs was also investigated by incubating soil samples spiked with AAs at various temperatures. RESULTS The analysis detected AA-I in over two-fifths of the tested samples at sub-μg/kg to μg/kg levels, with higher concentrations observed in more acidic farmland soil. Furthermore, analysis of soil samples incubated at various temperatures revealed half-lives of over 2 months, indicating that AAs are relatively resistant to degradation. CONCLUSIONS Cultivation soil in southern Serbia is being extensively contaminated with AAs released from the decomposition of A. clematitis weeds. Since AAs are resistant to degradation, it is possible that AAs could have been taken up by root absorption and transported to the edible part of food crops. Prolonged exposure to AA-contaminated food grown from polluted soil could be one of the main aetiological mechanisms of BEN observed in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Kong Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - K K Jason Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | | - Wan Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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16
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Li XL, Guo XQ, Wang HR, Chen T, Mei N. Aristolochic Acid-Induced Genotoxicity and Toxicogenomic Changes in Rodents. WORLD JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2020; 6:12-25. [PMID: 32258091 PMCID: PMC7110418 DOI: 10.4103/wjtcm.wjtcm_33_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid (AA) is a group of structurally related nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids found in many plants that are widely used by many cultures as traditional herbal medicines. AA is a causative agent for Chinese herbs nephropathy, a term replaced later by AA nephropathy. Evidence indicates that AA is nephrotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic in humans; and it also induces tumors in the forestomach, kidney, renal pelvis, urinary bladder, and lung of rats and mice. Therefore, plants containing AA have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In our laboratories, we have conducted a series of genotoxicity and toxicogenomic studies in the rats exposed to AA of 0.1–10 mg/kg for 12 weeks. Our results demonstrated that AA treatments induced DNA adducts and mutations in the kidney, liver, and spleen of rats, as well as significant alteration of gene expression in both its target and nontarget tissues. AA treatments altered mutagenesis- or carcinogenesis-related microRNA expression in rat kidney and resulted in significant changes in protein expression profiling. We also applied benchmark dose (BMD) modeling to the 3-month AA-induced genotoxicity data. The obtained BMDL10 (the lower 95% confidence interval of the BMD10 that is a 10% increase over the background level) for AA-induced mutations in the kidney of rats was about 7 μg/kg body weight per day. This review constitutes an overview of our investigations on AA-induced genotoxicity and toxicogenomic changes including gene expression, microRNA expression, and proteomics; and presents updated information focused on AA-induced genotoxicity in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Lin Li
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Xiao-Qing Guo
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Hai-Rong Wang
- Tianjin Center for New Drug Safety Assessment and Research, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Nan Mei
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
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17
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Anger EE, Yu F, Li J. Aristolochic Acid-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Protective Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1157. [PMID: 32050524 PMCID: PMC7043226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid (AA) is a generic term that describes a group of structurally related compounds found in the Aristolochiaceae plants family. These plants have been used for decades to treat various diseases. However, the consumption of products derived from plants containing AA has been associated with the development of nephropathy and carcinoma, mainly the upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC). AA has been identified as the causative agent of these pathologies. Several studies on mechanisms of action of AA nephrotoxicity have been conducted, but the comprehensive mechanisms of AA-induced nephrotoxicity and carcinogenesis have not yet fully been elucidated, and therapeutic measures are therefore limited. This review aimed to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying AA-induced nephrotoxicity with an emphasis on its enzymatic bioactivation, and to discuss some agents and their modes of action to reduce AA nephrotoxicity. By addressing these two aspects, including mechanisms of action of AA nephrotoxicity and protective approaches against the latter, and especially by covering the whole range of these protective agents, this review provides an overview on AA nephrotoxicity. It also reports new knowledge on mechanisms of AA-mediated nephrotoxicity recently published in the literature and provides suggestions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ji Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (E.E.A.); (F.Y.)
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18
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhou G, Jiang X, Wang X. QuEChERS pretreatment combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of aristolochic acids I and II in Chinese herbal patent medicines. RSC Adv 2020; 10:25319-25324. [PMID: 35517454 PMCID: PMC9055279 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra03200j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid I and II (AA I and II), a kind of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compound, are widely added in Chinese herbal patent medicines though they have been banned due to their toxicity. However, the traditional sample pre-treatment combined with the LC-MS analysis system is not effective to determine AAs in such complicated patent medicines. The QuEChERS pretreatment method possesses some merits such as being quick and effective. In this work, the modified QuEChERS method was first used to determine AA I and II in Chinese herbal patent medicines combined with the HPLC-MS/MS analysis system. Extraction and removal of target analytes from powder, tablet, and capsule samples were conducted using the modified QuEChERS pretreatment. The liquid extracts of Chinese herbal patent medicines could be analyzed directly. The method optimization results show that average recoveries ranged from 96.6% to 110.3% with relative standard deviations ranging from 4.2% to 13.0%. The quantization limits of the three selected matrices are estimated as follows (AA I/II): 2.8/6.5 ng mL−l in liquid herbal extract, 6.5/12.5 ng g−1 in tablets, and 22.1/42.1 ng g−1 in capsules. This method was conducted to investigate the presence of AAs, which are a type of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic carboxylic acid, in 30 herbal products sold through the Internet in China. AA I and II were detected in 53% and 20%, respectively, of tested samples. Aristolochic acid I and II (AA I and II), a kind of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compound, are widely added in Chinese herbal patent medicines though they have been banned due to their toxicity.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250100
- China
| | - Yinan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250100
- China
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250353
- China
| | - Guowei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250100
- China
| | - Xiaojie Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250100
- China
| | - Xikui Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
- Jinan 250353
- China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
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19
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Chiou YE, Chien WC, Chung CH, Chang HA, Kao YC, Tsay PK, Tzeng NS. New Users of Herbal Medicine Containing Aristolochic Acids and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study in Taiwan. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:1493-1504. [PMID: 32606702 PMCID: PMC7297452 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s250659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herbal medicine containing aristolochic acids (HMCAA) was used for inflammatory and infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between the usage of HMCAA and the risk of dementia. METHODS A total of 199 new users of HMCAA were enrolled, along with 597 controls without the usage of HMCAA, at a ratio of 1:3 - matched by age, sex, and comorbidity, between 2000 and 2003 - from the National Health Research Institutes Database (NHRID) of Taiwan, which contains two million randomly sampled subjects, in this cohort study. We used Fine and Gray's survival analysis (competing with mortality) to compare the risk of developing dementia during a 15-year follow-up period (2000-2015). RESULTS In general, HMCAA was not significantly associated with dementia (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 0.861, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.484-1.532, p = 0.611) for the HMCAA-cohort, although differential risk was observed among the groups at risk. The patients with usage of HMCAA aged ≧ 85 years were associated with a higher risk in dementia (adjusted SHR: 6.243, 95% CI=1.258-21.084, p = 0.001), in comparison to those aged 50-54 years. Furthermore, the patients with usage of HMCAA that had cerebrovascular accidents were associated with an increased risk of dementia. CONCLUSION The usage of HMCAA was associated with the risk of developing dementia in the patients aged ≧ 85 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Er Chiou
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Chien Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsiang Chung
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Taiwanese Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Association, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Student Counseling Center, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Kao
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Song-Shan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Kwei Tsay
- Department of Public Health and Center of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Student Counseling Center, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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20
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Prinsloo G, Steffens F, Vervoort J, Rietjens IM. Risk assessment of herbal supplements containing ingredients that are genotoxic and carcinogenic. Crit Rev Toxicol 2019; 49:567-579. [DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1686456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Prinsloo
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francois Steffens
- Department of Consumer Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Jacques Vervoort
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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21
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Kim K, Lim CE. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom. (Aristolochiaceae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2019; 4:3515-3516. [PMID: 33366065 PMCID: PMC7707360 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1675484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochia manshuriensis is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Aristolichiaceae. In this study, complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of A. manshuriensis was characterized through de novo assembly with next-generation sequencing data. The cp genome is 160,182 bp long and has a typical quadripartite organization consisting of a large single-copy (LSC), a small single-copy (SSC), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs). The cp genome harboured 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. manshuriensis has close relationship with Aristolochia macrophylla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeonghee Kim
- Plant Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, The Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Eun Lim
- Plant Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, The Republic of Korea
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22
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Development of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for aristolochic acids detection: Application in food and agricultural soil analyses. Food Chem 2019; 289:673-679. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.03.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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23
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Complete Chloroplast Genomes and Comparative Analysis of Sequences Evolution among Seven Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae) Medicinal Species. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051045. [PMID: 30823362 PMCID: PMC6429227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochiaceae, comprising about 600 species, is a unique plant family containing aristolochic acids (AAs). In this study, we sequenced seven species of Aristolochia, and retrieved eleven chloroplast (cp) genomes published for comparative genomics analysis and phylogenetic constructions. The results show that the cp genomes had a typical quadripartite structure with conserved genome arrangement and moderate divergence. The cp genomes range from 159,308 bp to 160,520 bp in length and have a similar GC content of 38.5%–38.9%. A total number of 113 genes were identified, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs and four rRNAs. Although genomic structure and size were highly conserved, the IR-SC boundary regions were variable between these seven cp genomes. The trnH-GUG genes, are one of major differences between the plastomes of the two subgenera Siphisia and Aristolochia. We analyzed the features of nucleotide substitutions, distribution of repeat sequences and simple sequences repeats (SSRs), positive selections in the cp genomes, and identified 16 hotspot regions for genomes divergence that could be utilized as potential markers for phylogeny reconstruction. Phylogenetic relationships of the family Aristolochiaceae inferred from the 18 cp genome sequences were consistent and robust, using maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian analysis (BI) methods.
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24
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Sgamma T, Masiero E, Mali P, Mahat M, Slater A. Sequence-Specific Detection of Aristolochia DNA - A Simple Test for Contamination of Herbal Products. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1828. [PMID: 30619401 PMCID: PMC6297175 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Herbal medicines are used globally for their health benefits as an alternative therapy method to modern medicines. The market for herbal products has increased rapidly over the last few decades, but this has in turn increased the opportunities for malpractices such as contamination or substitution of products with alternative plant species. In the 1990s, a series of severe renal disease cases were reported in Belgium associated with weight loss treatment, in which the active species Stephania tetrandra was found to be substituted with Aristolochia fangchi. A. fangchi contains toxic aristolochic acids, which have been linked to kidney failure, as well as cancers of the urinary tract. Because of these known toxicities, herbal medicines containing these compounds, or potentially contaminated by these plants, have been restricted or banned in some countries, but they are still available via the internet and in alternate formulations. In this study, a DNA based method based on quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was tested to detect and distinguish Aristolochia subg. Siphisia (Duch.) O.C.Schmidt species from a range of medicinal plants that could potentially be contaminated with Aristolochia material. Specific primers were designed to confirm that Aristolochia subg. Siphisia can be detected, even in small amounts, if it is present in the products, fulfilling the aim of offering a simple, cheaper and faster solution than the chemical methods. A synthetic gBlock template containing the primer sequences was used as a reference standard to calibrate the qPCR assay and to estimate the copy number of a target gene per sample. Generic primers covering the conserved 5.8S rRNA coding region were used as internal control to verify DNA quality and also as a reference gene for relative quantitation. To cope with potentially degraded DNA, all qPCR primer sets were designed to generate PCR products of under 100 bp allowing detection and quantification of A. fangchi gBlock even when mixed with S. tetrandra gBlock in different ratios. All proportions of Aristolochia, from 100 to 2%, were detected. Using standards, associating the copy number to each start quantity, the detection limit was calculated and set to about 50 copies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Sgamma
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Biomolecular Technology Group, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Masiero
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Biomolecular Technology Group, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Purvi Mali
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Biomolecular Technology Group, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Maslinda Mahat
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Biomolecular Technology Group, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Natural Product Testing Section, Toxic Compound Detection Unit, National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, Jalan University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Adrian Slater
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Biomolecular Technology Group, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
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25
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Jeurissen SMF, Buurma-Rethans EJM, Beukers MH, Jansen-van der Vliet M, van Rossum CTM, Sprong RC. Consumption of plant food supplements in the Netherlands. Food Funct 2018; 9:179-190. [PMID: 29184939 DOI: 10.1039/c6fo01174h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of food supplements containing herbs or other botanical ingredients (plant food supplements, PFS) is on the rise. In some cases, PFS can contain compounds that are toxic and may pose a health risk. To assess the potential health risks, information on the consumption of PFS is required, however, this was lacking for the Netherlands. In the current study, the consumption of PFS was investigated for several subgroups in the Dutch population, including children. Data from the Dutch National Food Consumption Surveys were used to get a first impression on the consumption of PFS. To obtain more detailed information, a specific PFS consumption survey was performed using online questionnaires. First, a screening survey was performed among a representative sample of 75 100 adults and children of the Dutch population, followed by a main survey among 739 selected PFS users in eight different age and gender subgroups. The prevalence of PFS users in the Dutch population was approximately 10% for men, 17% for women and 13% for children. A wide variety of PFS was used, with around 600 different PFS reported, containing 345 different botanicals. The most frequently used botanicals were echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), ginseng (Panax ginseng) and algae (such as species belonging to the genus Spirulina or Chlorella). Because PFS are widely used in the Dutch population, it is important to evaluate the potential risks associated with PFS consumption in the Netherlands, including potential herb-drug interactions. The data collected in this study are of great value to assess these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M F Jeurissen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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26
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Ng AWT, Poon SL, Huang MN, Lim JQ, Boot A, Yu W, Suzuki Y, Thangaraju S, Ng CCY, Tan P, Pang ST, Huang HY, Yu MC, Lee PH, Hsieh SY, Chang AY, Teh BT, Rozen SG. Aristolochic acids and their derivatives are widely implicated in liver cancers in Taiwan and throughout Asia. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/412/eaan6446. [PMID: 29046434 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aan6446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many traditional pharmacopeias include Aristolochia and related plants, which contain nephrotoxins and mutagens in the form of aristolochic acids and similar compounds (collectively, AA). AA is implicated in multiple cancer types, sometimes with very high mutational burdens, especially in upper tract urothelial cancers (UTUCs). AA-associated kidney failure and UTUCs are prevalent in Taiwan, but AA's role in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) there remains unexplored. Therefore, we sequenced the whole exomes of 98 HCCs from two hospitals in Taiwan and found that 78% showed the distinctive mutational signature of AA exposure, accounting for most of the nonsilent mutations in known cancer driver genes. We then searched for the AA signature in 1400 HCCs from diverse geographic regions. Consistent with exposure through known herbal medicines, 47% of Chinese HCCs showed the signature, albeit with lower mutation loads than in Taiwan. In addition, 29% of HCCs from Southeast Asia showed the signature. The AA signature was also detected in 13 and 2.7% of HCCs from Korea and Japan as well as in 4.8 and 1.7% of HCCs from North America and Europe, respectively, excluding one U.S. hospital where 22% of 87 "Asian" HCCs had the signature. Thus, AA exposure is geographically widespread. Asia, especially Taiwan, appears to be much more extensively affected, which is consistent with other evidence of patterns of AA exposure. We propose that additional measures aimed at primary prevention through avoidance of AA exposure and investigation of possible approaches to secondary prevention are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin W T Ng
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Song Ling Poon
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Mi Ni Huang
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jing Quan Lim
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore.,Lymphoma Genomic Translational Research Laboratory, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Arnoud Boot
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Willie Yu
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Yuka Suzuki
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Saranya Thangaraju
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Cedric C Y Ng
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Precision Medicine Institute, Singapore 169609, Singapore.,Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - See-Tong Pang
- Division of Urooncology, Department of Urology, Chang Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yi Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Po-Huang Lee
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Yung Hsieh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - Alex Y Chang
- Johns Hopkins Singapore, Singapore 308433, Singapore.
| | - Bin T Teh
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore. .,Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Precision Medicine Institute, Singapore 169609, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Steven G Rozen
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore. .,Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore 117456, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Precision Medicine Institute, Singapore 169609, Singapore
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27
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Chugh NA, Bali S, Koul A. Integration of botanicals in contemporary medicine: road blocks, checkpoints and go-ahead signals. Integr Med Res 2018; 7:109-125. [PMID: 29989061 PMCID: PMC6035497 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of botanicals for maintaining good health and preventing diseases is undisputed. The claimed health benefits of natural health products and herbal medicines are based on traditional claims, positive results obtained in preclinical studies and early phase clinical trials that are not backed by safety and efficacy evidences approved by regulatory agencies. Although, the popularity of botanicals is growing, health care practitioners of modern medicine seldom recommend their use because of ill equipped database of their safety and potency. This review discusses problems that preclude botanicals from integrating into the mainstream contemporary therapeutics and cues that provide impetus for their realisation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashwani Koul
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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28
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Risk assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic alkenylbenzenes in botanical containing products present on the Chinese market. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 115:344-357. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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29
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Mao WW, Gao W, Liang ZT, Li P, Zhao ZZ, Li HJ. Characterization and quantitation of aristolochic acid analogs in different parts of Aristolochiae Fructus, using UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS and UHPLC-QqQ-MS. Chin J Nat Med 2018; 15:392-400. [PMID: 28558875 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(17)30060-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochiae Fructus, a Chinese herbal medicine derived from the fruit of Aristolochia contorta Bge., contains nephrotoxic aristolochic acid analogues (AAAs). According to ancient medical texts, various medicinal parts of the fruit of A. contorta were ever used. In order to reveal which part could be safely and effectively used, it is necessary to analyze the chemical profiles of different medicinal parts. Herein we compared the chemical compositions and determined aristolochic acid I (AA-I) and aristolochic acid II (AA-II) in the four parts viz. outer pericarp, inner pericarp, septum, and seed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was applied for chemical profiling. Ultra-high performance liquid coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) was employed to quantify AA-I and AA-II in different parts. It was found that the chemical compositions of the four parts varied both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 10 AAAs, including 5 aristolochic acids and 5 aristolactams, together with 3 alkaloids, were unambiguously or tentatively identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. The quantitatively analytical results obtained by UHPLC-QqQ-MS showed that AA-I and AA-II exclusively accumulate in the seeds of A. contorta. These findings provide supporting data for the rational selection of medicinal parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhi-Tao Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhong-Zhen Zhao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hui-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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30
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Abdullah R, Diaz LN, Wesseling S, Rietjens IMCM. Risk assessment of plant food supplements and other herbal products containing aristolochic acids using the margin of exposure (MOE) approach. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2016; 34:135-144. [PMID: 27892830 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2016.1266098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
After the incidences of induction of aristolochic acid nephropathy after consumption of herbal weight loss preparations that accidentally contained aristolochic acids (AAs), several countries defined national restrictions on the presence of AAs in food, including plant food supplements (PFS) and herbal products. This study investigates whether the risks associated with exposure to AAs via PFS and herbal products are at present indeed negligible. Data reported in literature on AA levels in PFS and other herbal products and also obtained from a new series of PFS in the present study were used to calculate the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and corresponding margins of exposure (MOEs). Available literature data revealed that 206 out of 573 samples were found to contain aristolochic acid I (AAI) and/or aristolochic acid II (AAII). The results obtained from recently collected PFS revealed that both AAI and AAII were detected in three out of 18 analysed PFS at levels up to 594.8 and 235.3 µg g-1, respectively, being in line with the levels reported in literature. The EDIs resulting from intake of these PFS resulted in MOEs that were generally below 10,000, corroborating the priority for risk management. Although these results refer to PFS collected by targeted sampling strategies, the data reveal that AA-containing PFS are still freely available. When considering that the use of these samples may be limited to shorter periods of time, the EDIs might be lower, but MOE values would still be lower than 10,000 for more than 50% of the AA-containing PFS and herbal products. In conclusion, the presence of AAs in PFS and herbal products even several years after instalment of the legal restrictions still raises concern, especially for people who frequently use the respective PFS and herbal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozaini Abdullah
- a Division of Toxicology , Wageningen University , Wageningen , the Netherlands.,b Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM , Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia
| | - Leolean Nyle Diaz
- a Division of Toxicology , Wageningen University , Wageningen , the Netherlands
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31
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Abdullah R, Alhusainy W, Woutersen J, Rietjens IMCM, Punt A. Predicting points of departure for risk assessment based on in vitro cytotoxicity data and physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling: The case of kidney toxicity induced by aristolochic acid I. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 92:104-16. [PMID: 27016491 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids are naturally occurring nephrotoxins. This study aims to investigate whether physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model-based reverse dosimetry could convert in vitro concentration-response curves of aristolochic acid I (AAI) to in vivo dose response-curves for nephrotoxicity in rat, mouse and human. To achieve this extrapolation, PBK models were developed for AAI in these different species. Subsequently, concentration-response curves obtained from in vitro cytotoxicity models were translated to in vivo dose-response curves using PBK model-based reverse dosimetry. From the predicted in vivo dose-response curves, points of departure (PODs) for risk assessment could be derived. The PBK models elucidated species differences in the kinetics of AAI with the overall catalytic efficiency for metabolic conversion of AAI to aristolochic acid Ia (AAIa) being 2-fold higher for rat and 64-fold higher for mouse than human. Results show that the predicted PODs generally fall within the range of PODs derived from the available in vivo studies. This study provides proof of principle for a new method to predict a POD for in vivo nephrotoxicity by integrating in vitro toxicity testing with in silico PBK model-based reverse dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozaini Abdullah
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Tuinlaan 5, 6703 HE Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Wasma Alhusainy
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Tuinlaan 5, 6703 HE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper Woutersen
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Tuinlaan 5, 6703 HE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivonne M C M Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Tuinlaan 5, 6703 HE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ans Punt
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Tuinlaan 5, 6703 HE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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32
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Wu L, Sun W, Wang B, Zhao H, Li Y, Cai S, Xiang L, Zhu Y, Yao H, Song J, Cheng YC, Chen S. An integrated system for identifying the hidden assassins in traditional medicines containing aristolochic acids. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11318. [PMID: 26270958 PMCID: PMC4535178 DOI: 10.1038/srep11318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional herbal medicines adulterated and contaminated with plant materials from the Aristolochiaceae family, which contain aristolochic acids (AAs), cause aristolochic acid nephropathy. Approximately 256 traditional Chinese patent medicines, containing Aristolochiaceous materials, are still being sold in Chinese markets today. In order to protect consumers from health risks due to AAs, the hidden assassins, efficient methods to differentiate Aristolochiaceous herbs from their putative substitutes need to be established. In this study, 158 Aristolochiaceous samples representing 46 species and four genera as well as 131 non-Aristolochiaceous samples representing 33 species, 20 genera and 12 families were analyzed using DNA barcodes based on the ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences. Aristolochiaceous materials and their non-Aristolochiaceous substitutes were successfully identified using BLAST1, the nearest distance method and the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. In addition, based on sequence information of ITS2, we developed a Real-Time PCR assay which successfully identified herbal material from the Aristolochiaceae family. Using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC-HR-MS), we demonstrated that most representatives from the Aristolochiaceae family contain toxic AAs. Therefore, integrated DNA barcodes, Real-Time PCR assays using TaqMan probes and UHPLC-HR-MS system provides an efficient and reliable authentication system to protect consumers from health risks due to the hidden assassins (AAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyu Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoqing Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Li Xiang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shilin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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33
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Hsu PC, Tsai YT, Lai JN, Wu CT, Lin SK, Huang CY. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine healthcare into diabetes care by reducing the risk of developing kidney failure among type 2 diabetic patients: a population-based case control study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 156:358-364. [PMID: 25178949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Our previous study indicated that the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, which consists of six type of herbs, namely Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., root, dried; Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc., fructus, dried; Dioscorea oppositifolia L., root, dried; Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam., tuber, dried; Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews, bark, dried; Poria cocos (Fr.) Wolf., sclerotium, dried, is the most frequently prescribed herbal formula used to treat type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the integration of TCM into diabetes care in terms of how it reduces the risk of developing kidney failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Taiwan׳s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) provided detailed information of health care services for each patient and covers 98% of all Taiwan residents as of 2007. Case and control subjects were selected from the NHIRD. Two multivariable logistic regression models were constructed in order to explore two types of exposure assessments including prescription of TCMs (model 1) and prescription of different estimated dosages of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan (model 2). RESULTS Using logistic regression model 1, having used TCMs was independently associated with a decreased risk of kidney failure by multivariable analysis (OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.61-0.77). Using logistic regression model 2, there was no difference between non-Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan TCM users and Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan TCM users in terms of the risk of developing kidney failure. Furthermore, there was also no linear dose-response trend when we used exposure to prescribed Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan as a continuous variable (for non-Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan TCM users, OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.60-0.77; for TCM users consuming 1-30 g of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.54-0.87; for >30 g of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.49-1.44). CONCLUSIONS Integrating TCM healthcare into diabetes care was found to be associated with a decreased risk of developing kidney failure. Having recognized the use of TCM, exploring any potential interactions and adverse effects, and integrating both technologies into a holistic treatment system may be beneficial to the relief of diabetic nephropathy on patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chien Hsu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Road, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Ting Tsai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Road, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Nien Lai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Road, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Tung Wu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Road, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Ku Lin
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Road, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Huang
- Department of Traditional Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei , Taiwan
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Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid associated with renal failure and urothelial carcinoma: a review from epidemiologic observations to causal inference. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:569325. [PMID: 25431765 PMCID: PMC4241283 DOI: 10.1155/2014/569325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Herbal remedies containing aristolochic acid (AA) have been designated to be a strong carcinogen. This review summarizes major epidemiologic evidence to argue for the causal association between AA exposure and urothelial carcinoma as well as nephropathy. The exposure scenarios include the following: Belgian women taking slimming pills containing single material Guang Fang Ji, consumptions of mixtures of Chinese herbal products in the general population and patients with chronic renal failure in Taiwan, occupational exposure in Chinese herbalists, and food contamination in farming villages in valleys of the Danube River. Such an association is corroborated by detecting specific DNA adducts in the tumor tissue removed from affected patients. Preventive actions of banning such use and education to the healthcare professionals and public are necessary for the safety of herbal remedies.
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Wang Y, Chan W. Determination of aristolochic acids by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2014; 62:5859-5864. [PMID: 24920127 DOI: 10.1021/jf501609j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Nephrotoxic and carcinogenic aristolochic acids (AAs) are naturally occurring nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids in the herbal genus Aristolochia. The misuse of AA-containing herbs in preparing slimming drugs has caused hundred of cases of kidney disease in Belgium women in a slimming regime in the early 1990s. Accumulating evidence also suggested that prolong dietary intake of AA-contaminated food is one of the major causes to the Balkan endemic nephropathy that was first observed in the late 1950s. Therefore, analytical methods of high sensitivity are extremely important for safeguarding human exposure to AA-containing herbal medicines, herbal remedies, and food composites. In this paper, we describe the development of a new high-performance liquid chromatography coupled fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) method for the sensitive determination of AAs. The method makes use of a novel cysteine-induced denitration reaction that "turns on" the fluorescence of AAs for fluorometric detections. Our results showed that the combination of cysteine-induced denitration and HPLC-FLD analysis allows for sensitive quantification of AA-I and AA-II at detection limits of 27.1 and 25.4 ng/g, respectively. The method was validated and has been successfully applied in quantifying AAs in Chinese herbal medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Song RJ, Pu FP, Zhou J, Sun JB, Zeng P, Zhang Q. Three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction based on a magnetofluid for the analysis of aristolochic acids in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Sep Sci 2014; 37:1622-31. [PMID: 24729270 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201400042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Juan Song
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xi'an University of Arts and Sciences; Xi'an Shanxi China
| | - Feng Ping Pu
- Department of Emergency; Urumqi General Hospital of PLA; Urumqi Xinjiang China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy; Urumqi General Hospital of PLA; Urumqi Xinjiang China
| | - Jiang Bing Sun
- Department Clinical Laboratory; No.23 Hospital of PLA; Urumqi Xinjiang China
| | - Ping Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy; Urumqi General Hospital of PLA; Urumqi Xinjiang China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy; Urumqi General Hospital of PLA; Urumqi Xinjiang China
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Vaclavik L, Krynitsky AJ, Rader JI. Quantification of aristolochic acids I and II in herbal dietary supplements by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–multistage fragmentation mass spectrometry. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2014; 31:784-91. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2014.892215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Metabolomic analysis of complex chinese remedies: examples of induced nephrotoxicity in the mouse from a series of remedies containing aristolochic Acid. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:263757. [PMID: 23606874 PMCID: PMC3626396 DOI: 10.1155/2013/263757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acid nephropathy is caused by aristolochic acid (AA) and AA-containing herbs. In traditional Chinese medicine, a principle called “Jun-Chen-Zou-Shi” may be utilized to construct a remedial herbal formula that attempts to mitigate the toxicity of the main ingredient. This study used Bu-Fei-A-Jiao-Tang (BFAJT) to test if the compound remedy based on a principle of “Jun-Chen-Zou-Shi” can decrease the toxicity of AA-containing herbs. We compared the three toxicities of AA standard, Madouling (an Aristolochia herb), and a herbal formula BFAJT. AA standard was given for BALB/c mice at a dose of 5 mg/kg bw/day or 7.5 mg/kg bw/day for 10 days. Madouling and BFAJT were given at an equivalence of AA 0.5 mg/kg bw/day for 21 days. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated by metabolomics and histopathology. The urinary metabolomics profiles were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The spectral data was analyzed with partial least squares discriminant analysis, and the significant differential metabolites between groups were identified. The result showed different degrees of acute renal tubular injuries, and metabolomics analysis found that the kidney injuries were focused in proximal renal tubules. Both metabolomics and pathological studies revealed that AA standard, Madouling, and BFAJT were all nephrotoxicants. The compositions of the compound remedy did not diminish the nephrotoxicity caused by AA.
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Abstract
Aristolochic acid, a potent human carcinogen produced by Aristolochia plants, is associated with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUC). Following metabolic activation, aristolochic acid reacts with DNA to form aristolactam (AL)-DNA adducts. These lesions concentrate in the renal cortex, where they serve as a sensitive and specific biomarker of exposure, and are found also in the urothelium, where they give rise to a unique mutational signature in the TP53 tumor-suppressor gene. Using AL-DNA adducts and TP53 mutation spectra as biomarkers, we conducted a molecular epidemiologic study of UUC in Taiwan, where the incidence of UUC is the highest reported anywhere in the world and where Aristolochia herbal remedies have been used extensively for many years. Our study involves 151 UUC patients, with 25 patients with renal cell carcinomas serving as a control group. The TP53 mutational signature in patients with UUC, dominated by otherwise rare A:T to T:A transversions, is identical to that observed in UUC associated with Balkan endemic nephropathy, an environmental disease. Prominent TP53 mutational hotspots include the adenine bases of (5')AG (acceptor) splice sites located almost exclusively on the nontranscribed strand. A:T to T:A mutations also were detected at activating positions in the FGFR3 and HRAS oncogenes. AL-DNA adducts were present in the renal cortex of 83% of patients with A:T to T:A mutations in TP53, FGFR3, or HRAS. We conclude that exposure to aristolochic acid contributes significantly to the incidence of UUC in Taiwan, a finding with significant implications for global public health.
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Liu H, Su J, Liang X, Zhang X, He YJ, Huang HQ, Ye J, Zhang WD. Identification and determination of the major constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Longdan Xiegan Pill by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. J Pharm Anal 2012; 1:1-7. [PMID: 29403674 PMCID: PMC5760762 DOI: 10.1016/s2095-1779(11)70001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel and sensitive HPLC-UV method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of twelve major compounds in Longdan Xiegan Pill. The chemical profile of the twelve compounds, including geniposidic acid (1), geniposide(2), gentiopicroside(3), liquiritin(4), crocin(5), baicalin(6), wogonoside(7), baicalein(8), glycyrrhizic acid (9), wogonin (10), oroxylin A (11) and aristolochic acid A (12), was acquired using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector coupled with an electrospray tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS). The analysis was performed on a Dikma Platisil ODS C18 column (250 mm × 4. 6 mm, 5 μm) with a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile-0. 1% aqueous formic acid. The validation was carried out and the linearities (r > 0. 9996), repeatability (RSD<1. 8%), intra- and inter-day precision (RSD< 1. 3%), and recoveries (ranging from 96. 6% to 103. 4%) were acceptable. The limits of detection (LOD) of these compounds ranged from 0.29 to 4. 17 ng. Aristolochic acid A, which is the toxic ingredient, was not detected in all the batches of Longdan Xiegan Pill. Furthermore, hierarchical cluster analysis was used to evaluate the variation of the herbal prescription. The proposed method is simple, effective and suitable for the quality control of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Juan Su
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xu Liang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ya-Jun He
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hai-Qiang Huang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ji Ye
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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Mol H, Van Dam R, Zomer P, Mulder P. Screening of plant toxins in food, feed and botanicals using full-scan high-resolution (Orbitrap) mass spectrometry. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2011; 28:1405-23. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2011.603704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Heaton J, Whiley L, Hong Y, Mary Sebastian C, William Smith N, Legido-Quigley C. Evaluation of Chinese medicinal herbs fingerprinting by HPLC-DAD for the detection of toxic aristolochic acids. J Sep Sci 2011; 34:1111-5. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201000905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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van den Berg SJPL, Serra-Majem L, Coppens P, Rietjens IMCM. Safety assessment of plant food supplements (PFS). Food Funct 2011; 2:760-8. [DOI: 10.1039/c1fo10067j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lugasi A, Horacsek M, Martos É. [Food supplements on the domestic market in Hungary: nutritional assessment of the ingredients, risks and benefits, the role of food supplements in human nutrition]. Orv Hetil 2010; 151:1964-75. [PMID: 21084248 DOI: 10.1556/oh.2010.28959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Food supplements are foods that are concentrated sources of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals and other substances with a physiological or nutritional effect. Since joining to the European Union, the distribution of food supplements in Hungary has not been bound to pre-market authorisation; products can be placed to the market after a formal notification at the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Science. Distribution, ingredients, and all information on the label are determined by numerous regulations but at the same time, the lack of harmonized legislation at Community level may cause a lot of problems. In the second part of the review authors introduce the evaluation process of components from the point of view of nutritional and physiological effects and the possible role of food supplements in human nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lugasi
- Országos Élelmezés- és Táplálkozástudományi Intézet Budapest Pf. 839 1437.
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45
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Lai MN, Lai JN, Chen PC, Hsieh SC, Hu FC, Wang JD. Risks of Kidney Failure Associated With Consumption of Herbal Products Containing Mu Tong or Fangchi: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2010; 55:507-18. [DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.10.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2009] [Accepted: 10/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Martena M, Van Der Wielen J, Rietjens I, Klerx W, De Groot H, Konings E. Monitoring of mercury, arsenic, and lead in traditional Asian herbal preparations on the Dutch market and estimation of associated risks. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2010; 27:190-205. [DOI: 10.1080/02652030903207235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
The public wants an easy way to control obesity. Herbal anti-obesity products attract users because of their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability and extensive marketing. These products can be very heterogeneous in nature and have unpredictable levels of active ingredients, and unpredictable and potentially harmful effects. They may contain highly toxic herbs (e.g. Aristolochia species), potent herbs not recommended for use in weight control (e.g. Ephedra sinica) and herbal laxatives with potential hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects (e.g. anthraquinones). However, the presence of such herbs may not be disclosed on the product label. They may contain adulterants (e.g. drugs, drug analogues and thyroid extracts), including drugs that have been withdrawn from the market (e.g. fenfluramine). For all these reasons, herbal anti-obesity products can cause direct toxicity or adverse interactions with concurrent medications. Physicians and other healthcare professionals need to be aware of the problem. They should warn their patients about the heterogeneous nature of these agents and the potential risks associated with their use. They should report suspected adverse reactions to their national spontaneous reporting system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Y K Chan
- Centre for Food and Drug Safety, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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48
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Smith DA, Obach RS. Metabolites in safety testing (MIST): considerations of mechanisms of toxicity with dose, abundance, and duration of treatment. Chem Res Toxicol 2009; 22:267-79. [PMID: 19166333 DOI: 10.1021/tx800415j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In previous papers, we have offered a strategic framework regarding metabolites of drugs in humans and the need to assess these in laboratory animal species (also termed Metabolites in Safety Testing or MIST; Smith and Obach, Chem. Res. Toxicol. (2006) 19, 1570-1579). Three main tenets of this framework were founded in (i) comparisons of absolute exposures (as circulating concentrations or total body burden), (ii) the nature of the toxicity mechanism (i.e., reversible interaction at specific targets versus covalent binding to multiple macromolecules), and (iii) the biological matrix in which the metabolite was observed (circulatory vs excretory). In the present review, this framework is expanded to include a fourth tenet: considerations for the duration of exposure. Basic concepts of pharmacology are utilized to rationalize the relationship between exposure (to parent drug or metabolite) and various effects ranging from desired therapeutic effects through to severe toxicities. Practical considerations of human ADME (absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion) data, to determine which metabolites should be further evaluated for safety, are discussed. An analysis of recently published human ADME studies shows that the number of drug metabolites considered to be important for MIST can be excessively high if a simple percentage-of-parent-drug criterion is used without consideration of the aforementioned four tenets. Concern over unique human metabolites has diminished over the years as experience has shown that metabolites of drugs in humans will almost always be observed in laboratory animals, although the proportions may vary. Even if a metabolite represents a high proportion of the dose in humans and a low proportion in animals, absolute abundances in animals frequently exceed that in humans because the doses used in animal toxicology studies are much greater than therapeutic doses in humans. The review also updates the enzymatic basis for the differences between species and how these relate to MIST considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A Smith
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Inc., Sandwich, Kent, UK.
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Fu PP, Chiang HM, Xia Q, Chen T, Chen BH, Yin JJ, Wen KC, Lin G, Yu H. Quality assurance and safety of herbal dietary supplements. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENESIS & ECOTOXICOLOGY REVIEWS 2009; 27:91-119. [PMID: 19412857 DOI: 10.1080/10590500902885676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the U.S. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994, use of herbal products has been growing rapidly worldwide. To ensure consumer health protection, the quality and safety of herbal plants, particularly those used for dietary supplement preparations, must be determined. To date, toxicological data on the identification of genotoxic and tumorigenic ingredients in many raw herbs and their mechanisms of action are lacking. Thus, identification of carcinogenic components in herbal plants is timely and important. In this review, the issues of quality control and safety evaluation of raw herbs and herbal dietary supplements are discussed. Two examples of tumorigenicity and mechanism of tumor induction are discussed: aristolochic acid and riddelliine, both of which have been detected in Chinese herbal plants. It is proposed that an organized effort with international participation on cancer risk assessment should be actively pursued so that the safety of commercial herbal plants and herbal dietary supplements can be ensured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Fu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA.
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Complications of traditional Chinese/herbal medicines (TCM)--a guide for perplexed oncologists and other cancer caregivers. Support Care Cancer 2008; 17:231-40. [PMID: 19009311 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-008-0526-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2008] [Accepted: 10/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer patients often seek complementary or alternative medicines to supplement or replace treatments prescribed by licensed medical practitioners. Traditional Chinese/herbal medicine (TCM) is a popular complementary intervention among cancer patients of Asian ethnicity, many of whom take it during their conventional treatment. Few of these patients inform their doctors, however, creating a risk of unexpected sequelae arising from either pharmacologic toxicity, unsuitable dosing, interactions with anti-cancer drugs or other medications, adulteration, or idiosyncratic reactions. If unrecognized, these problems may be misattributed to conventional treatment toxicity or disease progression, and remedial action may be inappropriate or delayed. GOALS OF WORK The purpose of this review is to help oncologists recognize the common presentations of TCM-related problems in cancer patients-such as abnormal liver function tests, unexpectedly severe myelosuppression, hemostatic defects, renal functional impairment, or suspected drug interactions-and to teach strategies by which these problems can be anticipated, prevented, or managed. CONCLUSION Through sensitive understanding of the reasons favoring TCM usage, oncologists can gain the trust and respect of their TCM-using patients while ensuring the safety and efficacy of conventional anticancer treatments.
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