Abstract
Niuhuang Jiedu tablet (NJT), a realgar (As2S2) containing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a well-known formula. The safety of NJT is of growing concern since arsenic (As) is considered as one of the most toxic elements. NJT was demonstrated to be safer than realgar by our previous experiments and some other studies. The toxicity of realgar has been shown to be related to the amount of soluble or bioaccessible arsenic. In this study, the influences of the other TCMs in NJT on the bioaccessibility of arsenic from realgar, and the roles of gut microbiota during this process were investigated in vitro. Results showed that Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) could significantly reduce the bioaccessibility of arsenic from realgar in artificial gastrointestinal fluids. Gut microbiota played an important role in decreasing the bioaccessibility of realgar because it was demonstrated to be able to absorb the soluble arsenic from realgar in the incubation medium. Dahuang, Huangqin, and Jiegeng could modulate the gut microbiota to enhance its arsenic absorption activity.
Highlights
Realgar, containing arsenic disulfide (As2S2) as the main component, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) for many centuries. e first medicinal use of realgar in China can be traced back to 200 B.C. in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the first TCM book of China [1]
According to the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP), Niuhuang Jiedu tablet (NJT) is composed of realgar and seven other medicinal materials, including Rengong Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus Artifactus), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)
All TCMs were tested according to ChP (2015) before the experiment, and the results showed that all the TCMs used were in accordance with the standards of ChP (2015)
Summary
Realgar, containing arsenic disulfide (As2S2) as the main component, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) for many centuries. e first medicinal use of realgar in China can be traced back to 200 B.C. in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the first TCM book of China [1]. According to the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP), NJT is composed of realgar and seven other medicinal materials, including Rengong Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus Artifactus), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). It is widely used as an antipyretic and detoxicate drug for sore swollen throat, periodontitis, gingivitis and mouth ulcer [2]
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