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Al-Thani G, Ibrahim AE, Alomairi M, Salman BI, Hegazy MM, Al-Harrasi A, El Deeb S. Toxic Elemental Impurities in Herbal Weight Loss Supplements; A Study Using ICP-OES Microwave-Assisted Digestion. Toxics 2023; 11:272. [PMID: 36977037 PMCID: PMC10053313 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The tendency of using weight loss herbal preparations is continuously increasing, especially for the widespread consumption of junk food that is characterized by high calories. Weight loss herbal preparations are considered a type of food supplement product, and, as such, the regulations governing their quality control might be minimal. These products could be locally formulated in any country or internationally imported. Being non-controlled products, the herbal weight-loss products may contain high levels of elemental impurities that might exceed the permissible ranges. Moreover, these products contribute to the total daily intake (TDI) of such elements, which might represent concerns about their potential toxicological danger. In this research, the elemental contents in such products were investigated. The inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to determine the levels of 15 elemental contents, namely, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, As, Co, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb. The results showed that seven micro-elements, namely Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Li and Cu, were either not detectable or at a concentration much lower than their tolerable limits. However, all studied macro-elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg), together with Fe, were found at considerable, yet safe levels. On the other hand, Mn, Al and As contents showed perturbing levels in some of the studied products. Finally, a conclusion was highlighted for the necessity for stricter surveillance of such herbal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghanim Al-Thani
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PC 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa P.O. Box 33, Oman
| | - Adel Ehab Ibrahim
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PC 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa P.O. Box 33, Oman
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port-Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Alomairi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PC 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa P.O. Box 33, Oman
| | - Baher I. Salman
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Mostafa M. Hegazy
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PC 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa P.O. Box 33, Oman
| | - Sami El Deeb
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PC 616, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa P.O. Box 33, Oman
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universitaet Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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El Deeb S, Al-Harrasi A, Khan A, Al-Broumi M, Al-Thani G, Alomairi M, Elumalai P, Sayed RA, Ibrahim AE. Microscale thermophoresis as a powerful growing analytical technique for the investigation of biomolecular interaction and the determination of binding parameters. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2022; 10. [PMID: 35856854 DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/ac82a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro panel of technologies to address biomolecular interactions are in play, however microscale thermophoresis is continuously increasing in use to represent a key player in this arena. This review highlights the usefulness of microscale thermophoresis in the determination of molecular and biomolecular affinity interactions. This work reviews the literature from January 2016 to January 2022 about microscale thermophoresis. It gives a summarized overview about both the state-of the art and the development in the field of microscale thermophoresis. The principle of microscale thermophoresis is also described supported with self-created illustrations. Moreover, some recent advances are mentioned that showing application of the technique in investigating biomolecular interactions in different fields. Finally, advantages as well as drawbacks of the technique in comparison with other competing techniques are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami El Deeb
- Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, 38106, GERMANY
| | | | - Ajmal Khan
- University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Nizwa, 616, OMAN
| | | | | | | | | | - Rania A Sayed
- Pharmaceutical analytical chemistry department, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Zagazig, 44519, EGYPT
| | - Adel Ehab Ibrahim
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Port Said University, Port Said, Port Said, 42526, EGYPT
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Lindner M, Abdoh G, Fang-Hoffmann J, Shabeck N, Al-Sayrafi M, Al-Janahi M, Ho S, Abdelrahman MO, Ben-Omran T, Bener A, Schulze A, Al-Rifai H, Al-Thani G, Hoffmann GF. Implementation of extended neonatal screening and a metabolic unit in the State of Qatar: developing and optimizing strategies in cooperation with the Neonatal Screening Center in Heidelberg. J Inherit Metab Dis 2007; 30:522-9. [PMID: 17510756 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-007-0553-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2007] [Revised: 03/19/2007] [Accepted: 04/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Qatar is a country in the Gulf area and member of the Gulf Cooperation Council states. The country is populated by original Qatari tribes that amount to about 200,000 people and about 600,000 expatriates mainly from Arabic and Asian countries. Inbreeding over centuries and high rates of consanguinity in the Qatari population and in some groups of expatriates, in addition to large family sizes and rapid population growth, have contributed to a high frequency of autosomal recessive disorders. In December 2003 Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha and the University Children's Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany, started an extended state-wide neonatal screening programme for metabolic and endocrine disorders, with the laboratory situated in Heidelberg, Germany. All aspects of the screening process had to be adapted to the unique situation of the laboratory being 6000 km from the birthplace of the neonates. Within 32 months, samples of 25,214 neonates were screened. In 28 cases an endocrine or metabolic diagnosis was identified (incidence 1:901, in Germany 1:1728). In particular, a variety of monogenic metabolic diseases were prevalent, with 19 patients detected giving an incidence of metabolic diseases of 1:1327 (Germany 1:2517). Each euro spent on the screening programme saved more than 25 euros in health and social costs. The programme revealed a high incidence of treatable inborn metabolic diseases in the population of Qatar. A reliable screening for classical homocystinuria showing a unique incidence of >1:3000 and for sickle cell disease has now been added.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lindner
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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