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Alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda have witnessed a rise in global popularity over the recent decades. Drugs used in Ayurveda, particularly those of mineral origin can lead to toxic effects due to heavy metal overdose. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with glove-and-stocking paresthesia and scaly plaques following the institution of Ayurvedic drugs containing arsenic for dermatitis. She also had a loss of distal proprioception and a hyperesthetic response to pinprick. Her blood analysis showed elevated arsenic levels; 12 times the acceptable upper limit, with normal lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium levels. The drug was immediately stopped and there was a gradual but incomplete resolution of the paresthesia and distal weakness over the next several months. The risk of heavy metal toxicity should be briefed to the patient before the start of mineral Ayurvedic drugs. Monitoring serum levels while on these medications might help identify toxicities early and can result in the commencement of therapy at an early stage
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Objective Quantitative analysis of four arsenic species As (III), As (V), monomethyl arsenate (MMA), dimethyl arsenate (DMA) in rat serum, liver, kidney, and spleen was performed to compare their differences between realgar and realgar nanoparticles (NPs) groups. Methods SD rats were ig treated with blank solvent, realgar, and realgar NPs (800 mg/kg) respectively. After 28 d of continuous administration, serum and tissues were collected and four arsenic species were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Results Four arsenic species were detected in serum and kidney of rats, three were detected in the liver and two in the spleen. The content of arsenic species in the realgar NPs group was significantly higher than that in the realgar group. Conclusion Nanotechnology enhanced the bioavailability of realgar, and more arsenic was absorbed into the body and underwent metabolic transformation, which might lead to increased toxicity of realgar NPs.
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@#Exposure to groundwater arsenic contamination has been demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh. But, the association between arsenic exposure and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Bangladesh remains to be reported. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the occurrence of GDM amongst pregnant women from the arsenic contaminated area. A total of 200 pregnant women who were aged 20 years and more, having gestational age more than 21 weeks, and had attended a district hospital for antenatal checkup were selected for the study. Of the total 200 participants, 15.5% were found to have GDM and it was significantly high (p=0.029) in women with higher gestational age. Regarding arsenic exposure, 39.5% of the participants were categorized as arsenic exposed and amongst them the proportion of GDM was found high (20.3%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in gestational age and BMI, and a higher level of arsenic in urine of the total participants, had significantly (p<0.05) ability to predict the likelihood of having GDM (1.2, 1.1 and 9.2 times respectively). While logistic regression analysis among the arsenic exposed participants showed that higher level of BMI was 1.2 times and arsenic in urine was 9.4 times likely to predict the likelihood of having GDM. Thus, it was revealed that the increased concentration of arsenic in urine had the strongest ability to predict the likelihood of developing GDM among the pregnant women. The study concluded that the arsenic exposed pregnant women suffered more from GDM compared to the non-exposed pregnant woman.
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Arsenicosis, the illness due to chronic arsenic toxicity is prevalent in both Nepal and Bangladesh. The occurrence of arsenicosis depends upon many factors including food and nutrition. The objective of this study was to find out any difference of food habits among the arsenic exposed households of both countries and the relationship with the occurrence of arsenicosis. This was a cross-sectional comparative study, conducted among the arsenic exposed rural households of Nawalparasi district in Nepal and Faridpur district in Bangladesh. A total of 190 and 200 female rural households from Nepal and Bangladesh were selected respectively as the respondents. The majority of the respondents of both countries were under the age of 40 years. The prevalence of arsenicosis was found significantly low (χ2 = 8.847; p=.002) among the Nepalese households (7.3%) than that of Bangladeshi households (11.0%). As a staple food, rice, vegetables and pulses were more common among the Nepalese households in comparison to that of Bangladesh (χ2=5.739; p=.017). In addition to staple food Nepalese households were found to take significantly more (p<.05) bread (74.7%), egg (73.2%), milk (68.9%) and fruits (58.4%). In contrast, Bangladeshi households took a little more meat (59.0%) and fish (73.5%). To get arsenic-safe water, 39.5% Bangladeshi households used a filter while a few Nepalese households (2.6%) used that. Nepalese households were found to take more protein and vitamins rich foods as staple food compared to that of Bangladeshi households, which might play a role in the low occurrence of arsenicosis amongst them.
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@#Arsenicosis, the illness due to chronic arsenic toxicity is prevalent in both Nepal and Bangladesh. The occurrence of arsenicosis depends upon many factors including food and nutrition. The objective of this study was to find out any difference of food habits among the arsenic exposed households of both countries and the relationship with the occurrence of arsenicosis. This was a cross-sectional comparative study, conducted among the arsenic exposed rural households of Nawalparasi district in Nepal and Faridpur district in Bangladesh. A total of 190 and 200 female rural households from Nepal and Bangladesh were selected respectively as the respondents. The majority of the respondents of both countries were under the age of 40 years. The prevalence of arsenicosis was found significantly low (χ2 = 8.847; p=.002) among the Nepalese households (7.3%) than that of Bangladeshi households (11.0%). As a staple food, rice, vegetables and pulses were more common among the Nepalese households in comparison to that of Bangladesh (χ2=5.739; p=.017). In addition to staple food Nepalese households were found to take significantly more (p<.05) bread (74.7%), egg (73.2%), milk (68.9%) and fruits (58.4%). In contrast, Bangladeshi households took a little more meat (59.0%) and fish (73.5%). To get arsenic-safe water, 39.5% Bangladeshi households used a filter while a few Nepalese households (2.6%) used that. Nepalese households were found to take more protein and vitamins rich foods as staple food compared to that of Bangladeshi households, which might play a role in the low occurrence of arsenicosis amongst them.
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Arsenic , Arsenic Poisoning , Food , Nutritional Sciences , Feeding BehaviorABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the protective role of leaves of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam. against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice.Methods:non-treated control group while, the second, third, and fourth groups were treated with M.oleifera leaves (50 mg/kg body weight per day), sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body weight per day) and sodium arsenite plus M. oleifera leaves, respectively. Serum indices related to cardiac, liver and renal functions were analyzed to evaluate the protective effect of Moringa leaves on arsenic-induced effects in mice.Results:Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as induced elevation of triglyceride, glucose, urea and the activities of alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum. M. oleifera leaves also prevented the arsenic-induced perturbation of serum butyryl cholinesterase activity, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.Conclusions:The results indicate that the leaves of M. oleifera may be useful in reducing the It revealed that food supplementation of M. oleifera leaves abrogated the arsenic-effects of arsenic-induced toxicity.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective role of leaves of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam. against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as non-treated control group while, the second, third, and fourth groups were treated with M. oleifera leaves (50 mg/kg body weight per day), sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body weight per day) and sodium arsenite plus M. oleifera leaves, respectively. Serum indices related to cardiac, liver and renal functions were analyzed to evaluate the protective effect of Moringa leaves on arsenic-induced effects in mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It revealed that food supplementation of M. oleifera leaves abrogated the arsenic-induced elevation of triglyceride, glucose, urea and the activities of alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum. M. oleifera leaves also prevented the arsenic-induced perturbation of serum butyryl cholinesterase activity, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results indicate that the leaves of M. oleifera may be useful in reducing the effects of arsenic-induced toxicity.</p>