Herbal teas can be harmful: a case of Peganum harmala induced coma in a patient with Parkinson's disease

Development of a simultaneous analytical method for the dietary exposure determination of β-Carboline alkaloids in foods

As β-carboline (βC) alkaloids, posing potential health risks, are present in a wide variety of foods, determining the exposure degrees of food to these alkaloids from dietary activity is key to ensuring food safety. Here, we developed a rapid and sensitive simultaneous analytical method for six βC alkaloids in food. We optimized the buffered QuEChERS method, which includes a clean-up process through dispersive solid phase extraction, to extract the target compounds from food matrices; then, these compounds were detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We established calibration ranges for each target compound and matrix within the range of 0.05-250 μg/kg, and verified linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99) and limit of quantitation (≤1.63 μg/kg). Furthermore, we validated trueness (85.8%-118.8%) and precision (≤18.7%) at three levels within the calibration range, including the lowest and highest concentrations. Finally, we employed the developed method to determine the βC alkaloid contents in 304 samples of 41 food items and dietary exposure of six βC alkaloids resulting from daily intake. Although βC alkaloids were detected in 86.2% of the samples, exposure level to the 41 food items was insufficient to cause toxicity.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Phytochemical and FTIR Analysis of Peganum harmala (Fruit) Ethanolic Extract From Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Peganum harmala fruit. Ethanolic extract was prepared and phytochemical screening showed the presence of a lot of chemical compounds. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra indicated the presence of organic acids, hydroxyl and phenolic compounds, amino groups, aliphatic compounds, and functional groups such as amide, ketone, aldehyde, aromatics, and halogen compounds. Antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of P. harmala by the DPPH method showed 71.4% inhibition, whereas IC₅₀ ± SEM (μg/mL) was .406 ± .11. Antibacterial activity was performed against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Maximum antibacterial activity was exhibited by Bacillus subtilis (24.33 ± 2 mm) and Bacillus pumilus (23.33 ± 2 mm). Zone of inhibition was 19 ± 2 mm by P. aeruginosa, and it was 18.33 ± 2 mm by Bordetella bronchiseptica. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis had inhibitory effect in the range of 12.33 ± 2 mm and 13.66 ± 3 mm, respectively. 11.66 ± 2 mm and 10 ± 2 mm was zone of inhibition by Micrococcus luteus and E. coli, respectively. Antifungal activity was performed against Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. Ethanolic extract of P. harmala showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus (5 ± 1 mm) and Candida albicans (4 ± 1 mm). Mild antifungal activity was reported by Aspergillus fumigatus (3 ± 1 mm), whereas no activity was exhibited by Aspergillus terreus. Further research is needed in order to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of P. harmala as well.