Bioaccessibility Measurement and Safety Evaluation of Elements in Decoction of Zhebawei Traditional Chinese Medicines / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the bioaccessibility and evaluate the safety of inorganic elements in decoction of "Zhebawei" traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). METHODSE The bioaccessibility of inorganic elements in decoction of "Zhebawei" TCMs was measured based on in vitro digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and the safety of these elements were evaluated by comparing with the safe limits issued by the FAO and WHO. RESULTS: The bioaccessibility of the inorganic elements was less than 1, and varied among different elements of the same herbal medicine or for the same element among different herbal medicines. Cd, V, Se, Cr, Sn, and As were not detected in the dialysate of some TCMs' decoction after in vitro digestion because of the total content being low or undetected in decoction. The result of safety evaluation showed that the daily intakes of Ni, Fe, Mn, Se, Cu, Zn, Co, V, Cr from the decoction of "Zhebawei" TCMs were all within safe limits. The daily intakes of Cd and Sn did not exceed the level of personal acceptable daily intake instituted by the FAO and WHO. The total content in the decoction of Rhizoma Corydalis was more than the level of personal acceptable daily intake instituted by FAO and WHO, however the amount in the dislysate of "Zhebawei" TCMs' decoction after in vitro digestion were under the standard. The analysis of total content may exaggerate the risk of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The results will provide the basis for further researches such as bioavailability and safety of inorganic elements in "Zhebawei" TCMs, and will provide references for ensuring the rational use of TCM according to the analysis of inorganic elements.