Journal article
Combined DNA, toxicological and heavy metal analyses provides an auditing toolkit to improve pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Scientific Reports, Vol.5, Article 17475
2015
Abstract
Globally, there has been an increase in the use of herbal remedies including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There is a perception that products are natural, safe and effectively regulated, however, regulatory agencies are hampered by a lack of a toolkit to audit ingredient lists, adulterants and constituent active compounds. Here, for the first time, a multidisciplinary approach to assessing the molecular content of 26 TCMs is described. Next generation DNA sequencing is combined with toxicological and heavy metal screening by separation techniques and mass spectrometry (MS) to provide a comprehensive audit. Genetic analysis revealed that 50% of samples contained DNA of undeclared plant or animal taxa, including an endangered species of Panthera (snow leopard). In 50% of the TCMs, an undeclared pharmaceutical agent was detected including warfarin, dexamethasone, diclofenac, cyproheptadine and paracetamol. Mass spectrometry revealed heavy metals including arsenic, lead and cadmium, one with a level of arsenic >10 times the acceptable limit. The study showed 92% of the TCMs examined were found to have some form of contamination and/or substitution. This study demonstrates that a combination of molecular methodologies can provide an effective means by which to audit complementary and alternative medicines.
Details
- Title
- Combined DNA, toxicological and heavy metal analyses provides an auditing toolkit to improve pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
- Authors/Creators
- M.L. Coghlan (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityG. Maker (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityE. Crighton (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityJ. Haile (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityD.C. Murray (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityN.E. White (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityR.W. Byard (Author/Creator) - The University of AdelaideM.I. Bellgard (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityI. Mullaney (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityR. Trengove (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityR.J.N. Allcock (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaC. Nash (Author/Creator) - South Australia PathologyC. Hoban (Author/Creator) - The University of AdelaideK. Jarrett (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityR. Edwards (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityI.F. Musgrave (Author/Creator) - The University of AdelaideM. Bunce (Author/Creator) - Curtin University
- Publication Details
- Scientific Reports, Vol.5, Article 17475
- Publisher
- nature.com
- Grant note
- Grant ID: APP1061329
- Identifiers
- 991005544184907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Separation Science and Metabolomics Laboratory
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.304 Complementary & Alternative Medicine
- 1.304.969 Alternative Medicine
- Web Of Science research areas
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- ESI research areas
- Pharmacology & Toxicology