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Wang C, Liu Y, Han J, Li W, Sun J, Wang Y. Detection and Removal of Aristolochic Acid in Natural Plants, Pharmaceuticals, and Environmental and Biological Samples: A Review. Molecules 2023; 29:81. [PMID: 38202664 PMCID: PMC10779802 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a toxic substance present in certain natural plants. Direct human exposure to these plants containing AAs leads to a severe and irreversible condition known as aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Additionally, AAs accumulation in the food chain through environmental mediators can trigger Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), an environmental variant of AAN. This paper presents a concise overview of the oncogenic pathways associated with AAs and explores the various routes of environmental exposure to AAs. The detection and removal of AAs in natural plants, drugs, and environmental and biological samples were classified and summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods were analyzed. It is hoped that this review can provide effective insights into the detection and removal of AAs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China; (C.W.); (Y.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Yunchao Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China; (C.W.); (Y.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Jintai Han
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China; (C.W.); (Y.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Wenying Li
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250000, China;
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China; (C.W.); (Y.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Yinan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
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Lukinich-Gruia AT, Nortier J, Pavlović NM, Milovanović D, Popović M, Drăghia LP, Păunescu V, Tatu CA. Aristolochic acid I as an emerging biogenic contaminant involved in chronic kidney diseases: A comprehensive review on exposure pathways, environmental health issues and future challenges. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134111. [PMID: 35231474 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Described in the 1950s, Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) has been recognized as a chronic kidney disease (CKD) with clinical peculiarities and multiple etiological factors. Environmental contaminants - aromatic compounds, mycotoxins and phytotoxins like aristolochic acids (AAs) - polluting food and drinking water sources, were incriminated in BEN, due to their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The implication of AAs in BEN etiology is currently a highly debated topic due to the fact that they are found within the Aristolochiaceae plants family, used around the globe as traditional medicine and they were also incriminated in Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN). Exposure pathways have been investigated, but it is unclear to what extent AAs are acting alone or in synergy with other cofactors (environmental, genetics) in triggering kidney damage. Experimental studies strengthen the hypothesis that AAI, the most studied compound in the AAs class, is a significant environmental contaminant and a most important causative factor of BEN. The aim of this review is to compile information about the natural exposure pathways to AAI, via traditional medicinal plants, soil, crop plants, water, food, air. Data that either supports or contradicts the AAI theory concerning BEN etiology was consolidated and available solutions to reduce human exposure were discussed. Because AAI is a phytotoxin with physicochemical properties that allow its transportation in environmental matrices from different types of areas (endemic, nonendemic), and induce CKDs (BEN, AAN) and urinary cancers through bioaccumulation, this review aims to shed a new light on this compound as a biogenic emerging pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T Lukinich-Gruia
- OncoGen Centre, Clinical County Hospital "Pius Branzeu", Blvd. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
| | - Joëlle Nortier
- Nephrology Department, Brugmann Hospital & Laboratory of Experimental Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Nikola M Pavlović
- Kidneya Therapeutics, Klare Cetkin 11, 11070, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Niš, Univerzitetski Trg 2, 18106, Niš, Serbia.
| | | | - Miloš Popović
- Department for Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000, Niš, Serbia.
| | - Lavinia Paula Drăghia
- OncoGen Centre, Clinical County Hospital "Pius Branzeu", Blvd. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- OncoGen Centre, Clinical County Hospital "Pius Branzeu", Blvd. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723, Timisoara, Romania; Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", Eftimie Murgu Sq. 2, Timisoara, 300041, Romania.
| | - Călin A Tatu
- OncoGen Centre, Clinical County Hospital "Pius Branzeu", Blvd. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300723, Timisoara, Romania; Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", Eftimie Murgu Sq. 2, Timisoara, 300041, Romania.
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Chan CK, Tung KK, Pavlović NM, Chan W. Remediation of aristolochic acid-contaminated soil by an effective advanced oxidation process. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 720:137528. [PMID: 32143041 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are persistent soil pollutants in the agricultural fields of the Balkan Peninsula that are endemic for Aristolochia clematitis L. This class of carcinogenic and nephrotoxic phytotoxins is taken up by crops through root absorption and contaminates staple foods across the peninsula. Human exposure to AAs via dietary intake has recently been recognized as a cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy. For the sake of public health, human exposure to AAs from all sources should be minimized in a timely manner. However, currently, there is no available remediation method to remove AAs from soil. In this study, we developed the first soil remediation method for AAs using Fenton's reagent (FR), a combination of ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide, and optimized factors, including pH, temperature, time, and dose of FR, to achieve the best degradation performance. The maximum AA degradation efficiency was found to be >97% in soil with 500 μg kg-1 of AAs. We anticipate that this developed method, mediated via Fenton reaction, will be useful to effectively eliminate AAs from the Balkan farmlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Kong Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-Ki Tung
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | | - Wan Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Tung KK, Chan CK, Zhao Y, Chan KKJ, Liu G, Pavlović NM, Chan W. Occurrence and Environmental Stability of Aristolochic Acids in Groundwater Collected from Serbia: Links to Human Exposure and Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1554-1561. [PMID: 31884786 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) have been known as potent nephrotoxins since the use of AA-containing herbal medicines was linked with a series of sporadic renal fibrotic nephropathy cases, and yet an estimated 100 million people worldwide are still at risk today because of continued use of similar medicines. However, a similar nephropathic condition is endemic in the rural Balkan regions (e.g., Serbian farming villages) and AAs were again found to be the causative agents. In the case of this Balkan endemic nephropathy, AAs were found to have originated from a widespread local weed Aristolochia clematitis L. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that AAs released from decomposition of A. clematitis were also being leached into groundwater, thus polluting the drinking water of local residents. We initiated the study by developing a dispersive solid-phase extraction-based sample preparation method for water samples suspected of AA contamination. The validated method was then coupled with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method to measure AAs in groundwater samples collected from Serbia. Our study revealed for the first time that groundwater in Serbia is extensively contaminated with AA-I, at ng/L levels. Results also showed that AAs are long-lived water contaminants, with no observable concentration changes over a 2-month period of sample storage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - 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
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Sidorenko VS. Biotransformation and Toxicities of Aristolochic Acids. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1241:139-166. [PMID: 32383120 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41283-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental and iatrogenic exposures contribute significantly to human diseases, including cancer. The list of known human carcinogens has recently been extended by the addition of aristolochic acids (AAs). AAs occur primarily in Aristolochia herbs, which are used extensively in folk medicines, including Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ingestion of AAs results in chronic renal disease and cancer. Despite importation bans imposed by certain countries, herbal remedies containing AAs are readily available for purchase through the internet. With recent advancements in mass spectrometry, next generation sequencing, and the development of integrated organs-on-chips, our knowledge of cancers associated with AA exposure, and of the mechanisms involved in AA toxicities, has significantly improved. DNA adduction plays a central role in AA-induced cancers; however, significant gaps remain in our knowledge as to how cellular enzymes promote activation of AAs and how the reactive species selectively bind to DNA and kidney proteins. In this review, I describe pathways for AAs biotransformation, adduction, and mutagenesis, emphasizing novel methods and ideas contributing to our present understanding of AA toxicities in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriya S Sidorenko
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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Zhao Y, Chan CK, Chan KKJ, Chan W. Quantitation of N6-Formyl-lysine Adduct Following Aristolochic Acid Exposure in Cells and Rat Tissues by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Stable Isotope-Dilution Method. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:2086-2094. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Aristolochic Acids: Newly Identified Exposure Pathways of this Class of Environmental and Food-Borne Contaminants and its Potential Link to Chronic Kidney Diseases. TOXICS 2019; 7:toxics7010014. [PMID: 30893813 PMCID: PMC6468885 DOI: 10.3390/toxics7010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids naturally produced by Aristolochia plants. These plants were widely used to prepare herbal remedies until AAs were observed to be highly nephrotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. Although the use of AA-containing Aristolochia plants in herbal medicine is prohibited in countries worldwide, emerging evidence nevertheless has indicated that AAs are the causative agents of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), an environmentally derived disease threatening numerous residents of rural farming villages along the Danube River in countries of the Balkan Peninsula. This perspective updates recent findings on the identification of AAs in food as a result of the root uptake of free AAs released from the decayed seeds of Aristolochia clematitis L., in combination with their presence and fate in the environment. The potential link between AAs and the high prevalence of chronic kidney diseases in China is also discussed.
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