Phthalate contamination of some plants and herbal products / Contaminación de algunas plantas y productos herbales con ftalatos

Phthalate derivatives cause a number of risks to human health and the environment. Essential oil and volatile fractions of some vegetables and herbal products were extracted by hydrodistillation and percolation methods to analyze using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for evaluation of phthalate contaminations. The results revealed that four vegetables and all aromatic waters were contaminated by phthalate derivatives including di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1-7.95%). Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a widely used synthetic antioxidant, was also found in the most of the aromatic waters in the range of 3.15-61.3%. In addition, three vegetable samples contained diazinon (0.36-4.61%), an organophosphorus insecticide. Plants and herbal preparations may be contaminated by the absorption of phthalates from contaminated water or soil or by the migration of phthalates from inexpensive recycled plastic. Regarding the widespread use and associated health risks of phthalates, effective quality and safety regulations for herbal products should be implemented with respect to their phthalate content.

Los derivados de ftalato causan una serie de riesgos para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. El aceite esencial y las fracciones volátiles de algunos vegetales y productos a base de hierbas fueron extraídos mediante hidrodestilación y métodos de percolación y luego fueron analizados mediante cromatografía de gases y espectrometría de masas (GC-MS) con el propósito de identificar contaminación con ftalatos. Los resultados revelaron que cuatro productos herbales y todas las aguas aromáticas analizadas estaban contaminadas con derivados de ftalato, incluyendo el ftalato de dibutulo (DBP), ftalato de diisobutilo y ftalato de bis(2-etilhexilo) (DEHP) (0.1-7.95%). El butilhidroxitolueno (BHT), un antioxidante sintético ampliamente utilizado, también se encontró en aguas aromáticas en el rango de 3.15- 61.3%. Además, tres muestras vegetales contenían diazinón (0.36-4.61%), un insecticida organofosforado. Las plantas y las preparaciones herbales pueden ser contaminadas a partir de absorción de ftalatos del agua o el suelo contaminados o por la migración de ftalatos desde plástico reciclado de bajo costo. Con respecto al uso generalizado y los riesgos asociados a la salud de los ftalatos, deben implementarse normas efectivas de calidad y seguridad para los productos a base de hierbas con respecto a su contenido de ftalato.

Effect of cellulose acetate phthalate and polyethylene glycol on physical properties and release of theophylline from microcapsules

ABSTRACT The present study describes the development of theophylline microcapsules by a non-solvent addition method and the effect of plasticizer addition on microencapsulation. The release was studied in distilled water and the data were analysed by various mathematical models for determining the mechanism of release. Prepared microcapsules were found to be spherical, free flowing and having more than 80% entrapped drug. The polymer - cellulose acetate phthalate and plasticizer - polyethylene glycol was considered to be affecting the properties of microcapsules including drug release (time for 50% drug release, T50). The formulation with the highest proportion of polymer and without plasticizer (F3) showed the slowest release with T50 = 4.3 h, while the formulation with lower proportion of polymer and 20% (w/w) plasticizer (F13 &14) showed the fastest release of drug with T50 values of 1.2 h and 1.3 h, respectively. The drug release from most of the formulations was found to be following Higuchi model. It is concluded from the results of the present study that cellulose acetate phthalate significantly affects the sustained release of the drug in water, whereas the addition of polyethylene glycol slightly enhances the drug release.

RESUMO O presente estudo descreve o desenvolvimento de microcápsulas de teofilina pelo método sem adição de solvente e o efeito da adição de plastificante na microencapsulação. A liberação foi estudada em água destilada e os dados foram analisados por vários modelos matemáticos para determinação do mecanismo de liberação. As microcápsulas preparadas mostraram-se esféricas, livres de corrente e com mais de 80% de fármaco encapsulado. O polímero - ftalato de acetato de celulose e o plastificante - polietileno glicol - afetaram as propriedades das microcápsulas, incluindo a liberação do fármaco (tempo para liberação de 50% do fármaco, T50). A formulação com a maior proporção de polímero e sem plastificante (F3) se mostrou como a de liberação mais lenta, com T50 = 4,3 h, enquanto as formulações com menor proporção de polímero e 20% de plastificante (m/m) (F13 &14) apresentaram a liberação mais rápida do fármaco, com T50 de 1,2 h e 1,3 h, respectivamente. A liberação do fármaco para a maioria das formulações seguiu o modelo de Higuchi. Concluiu-se, dos resultados do presente estudo, que o ftalato do acetato de celulose afeta significativamente a liberação controlada do fármaco em água, enquanto que a adição de polietileno glicol aumenta ligeiramente a liberação do fármaco.

Exposición a ftalatos y su relación con la salud humana: una revisión sistemática / Exposición phthalates y su relación con la salud human: una systematic revisión

Introducción: Los ftalatos o ésteres del ácido ftálico son contaminantes ubicuos existentes en alimentos, aire, suelo, sedimentos, productos de belleza, materiales de construcción y dispositivos médicos. La utilización de estos productos pueden poner en riesgo a la población, por ejemplo: catéter venoso central y bolsas desangre usados en los procedimientos médicos encontrándo se en los enfermos expuestos a estos dispositivos médicos. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de estudios escritos sin restricción de fecha y de idioma, publicados en la literatura utilizando MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Lilacs y Web of Knowledge con las palabras claves: ftalato, plastificante, efectos adversos, efectos nocivos, efectos colaterales o efectos indeseables. De los artículos identificados se examinó la relación de los ftalatos con la salud reproductiva yendocrinológica. Se analizaron once artículos. Resultados: De los once artículos seleccionados, en cuatro se investigó la relacióncon la salud endocrinológica y en siete, con la salud reproductiva. De la mismamanera, en diez estudios se ha encontrado correlación negativas entre la salud reproductiva y endocrinológica con algún tipo de ftalato o su metabolito. Conclusiones: Las conclusiones de esta investigación, sugieren un nivel de exposición en los diferentes ambientes; los ftalatos pueden tener efectos en la salud reproductiva y endocrinológica...

Introduction: Phthalates or esters of phthalic acid are ubiquitous pollutants presentin food, air, soil, sediments, beauty products and construction materials and medical devices. The use of these products can put the population at risk, for example: central venous catheter and blood bags used in medical procedures found in the patients exposed to these medical devices. Methods: We performed a systematic review of studies without any date orlanguage restriction, published in the literature using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Lilacs and Web of Knowledge with the key words phthalate, plasticizer, adverse effects, side effects or undesirable effects. We considered the relationship with reproductive, endocrine and skin health. Eleven articles were analyzed. Results: Of the eleven selected articles, in four investigated the relationship with the health and endocrine or skin involvement in seven with reproductive health. In like manner, in ten studies have found correlate negative between reproductive healt hand endocrine or skin involvement with the use of some type of phthalate or its metabolite. Conclusions: The findings of this investigation suggest a level of exposure occurring at different environments; and the use of phthalates may have effects onthe reproductive, endocrine and skin health...