Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risks Assessment of Elemental Contaminants in <I>Laminariae thalli</I>

Abstract

Scientific relevance. Laminariae thalli are a native herbal preparation used to prevent or treat multiple diseases. To achieve the optimal effect, this herbal preparation is usually taken for several weeks or months. The control of Laminariae thalli should extend beyond the element content in the herbal drug limited by specifications; additionally, it is important to assess the health risks of ingesting heavy metals with the medicinal product during the exposure period.Aim. The study aimed to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of consuming elemental contaminants with therapeutic doses of herbal medicinal products based on Laminariae thalli.Materials and methods. The study investigated the content of elemental contaminants (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn) in Laminaria saccharina and Laminaria japonica. The content of inorganic arsenic was determined by solid-phase extraction using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).Results. When averaged at the 90th percentile level, the mean concentrations of the specified elements did not exceed the limits for seaweed and seagrass foods. The total hazard index from exposure to all analysed elements amounted to 0.173 at the median level and 0.616 at the 90th percentile level. The leading contributors to the total hazard index were As, Fe, Cd, and Sr. The individual carcinogenic risk (CR) values for the potential carcinogens (As, Cd, Pb, and Cr) fell within the range of 1×10-6<CR<1×10-4.Conclusions. If the elements analysed are ingested with a daily therapeutic dose of Laminariae thalli for the exposure period, their total negative effect will not cause harm to the human body. To eliminate the risk of developing neoplasms when the studied medicinal product (Laminariae thalli) is taken at its maximum recommended therapeutic dose for a month or more, the Cr content should be controlled along with the elements limited by specifications for herbal medicines.