Abstract
The present study describes the selection, analysis and risk assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds of botanicals and botanical preparations which can be found in plant food supplements (PFS). First an inventory was made of botanical compounds that are of possible concern for human health because of their genotoxic and/or carcinogenic properties. In total, 30 botanical compounds were selected and subsequently judged for their actual genotoxic and/or carcinogenic potential. Among the 30 compounds considered, 18 compounds were judged to be both genotoxic and carcinogenic. Interestingly, the majority of these compounds belong to the group of alkenylbenzenes or unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Subsequently, based on available carcinogenicity data and estimated daily human exposure that was determined focusing on the intake from PFS, the Margin of Exposure (MOE) was calculated for the alkenylbenzenes estragole, methyleugenol, safrole and β-asarone. Calculating the MOEs for intake estimates of these alkenylbenzenes from PFS resulted in MOE values that were generally lower than 10,000 and often lower than 100. In some cases the MOE was even below 10 meaning that the estimated daily intake is in the range of dose levels causing malignant tumors in experimental animals. This result indicates that the use of PFS containing the genotoxic carcinogens estragole, methyleugenol, safrole or β-asarone might raise a potential concern for human health and would be of high priority for risk management.
Highlights
Herbal products and ingredients such as herbal teas, food flavors and food supplements have been, and still are, widely used in Western diets
This result indicates that the use of plant food supplements (PFS) containing the genotoxic carcinogens estragole, methyleugenol, safrole or β-asarone might raise a potential concern for human health and would be of high priority for risk management
This is remarkable since the use of PFS might result in high exposures to these compounds and low Margin of Exposure (MOE) values suggesting a high priority for risk management
Summary
Herbal products and ingredients such as herbal teas, food flavors and food supplements have been, and still are, widely used in Western diets. There is a growing interest in plant food supplements (PFS), which are suggested to have the ability to maintain and promote health or reduce the risk factors for diseases. PFS generally have a high acceptance by consumers who often consider that “natural” equals “safe”. This reasoning should be considered with care since several botanicals are known to contain toxic or even genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds [1]. Examples of genotoxic and carcinogenic botanical ingredients are the alkenylbenzenes estragole, methyleugenol and safrole, which are present in a wide range of botanicals including basil, nutmeg, tarragon and fennel [2,3,4]. The Scientific Committee on Food has suggested restrictions in the use of these alkenylbenzenes because of their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties [2,3,4]
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