Abstract
The use of the medicinal plant Ginkgo biloba has increased worldwide. However, G. biloba is capable of assimilating both essential and toxic metals, and the ingestion of contaminated products can cause damage to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) in 26 items containing Ginkgo biloba (pharmaceutical herbal products, dietary supplements, and traditional herbal remedies) purchased in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Metal analysis was performed using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. All of the products were contaminated with Pb, 54% of them with As, and 81% with Cd. The lowest values of Pb, As, and Cd were detected in pharmaceutical herbal products > dietary supplements > traditional herbal remedies. The daily intake dose (DID) of pharmaceutical herbal products was within the established limits for the five metals. Dietary supplements and traditional herbal remedies exceeded the DID limits for Pb. The hazard quotients estimation and non-carcinogenic cumulative hazard estimation index for Mn, As, and Cd indicated no human health risk. Our results suggest that products containing G. biloba for sale in Mexico are not a health risk.
Highlights
Ginkgo biloba—a Chinese plant known as ginkgo or maidenhair tree—has been used in healing treatments for thousands of years
The analysis showed that Mn, Cu, and Pb were present in 100% of products, while As was detected in 54% of tested items (4% traditional herbal remedies, 15% pharmaceutical herbal products, and 35% dietary supplements)
We found that the average daily intake dose (DID) for each group of items, for each metal analyzed, were lowest for pharmaceutical herbal products, followed by dietary supplements and traditional herbal remedies
Summary
Ginkgo biloba—a Chinese plant known as ginkgo or maidenhair tree—has been used in healing treatments for thousands of years. Ginkgo biloba leaves are processed to obtain extracts for the treatment of cognitive disorders (memory loss and concentration)—mainly in ageing people—and circulatory disorders such as ischemic heart disease, vascular tinnitus, thromboses, vascular vertigo, and arrhythmias [2]. In this sense, two standardized extracts of G. biloba leaves have been scientifically documented: EGb761, and LI 1370 [3]. Two standardized extracts of G. biloba leaves have been scientifically documented: EGb761, and LI 1370 [3] These diverse therapeutic actions for human health make G. biloba one of the most popular medicinal plants, with high demand worldwide. The extracts of G. biloba leaves are sold as herbal medicine, dietary supplements, and traditional herbal remedies
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