Herbal treatment for the symptoms of diabetes and its complications have been employed in managing patients with insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DM). In DM, there is an increase in non-enzymatic glycation of proteins (Maillard reaction) due to persistent hyperglycemia. 1 This leads to several complications such as blindness, heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure. The relationship between the glycation of macromolecules and diabetic complications has been established. 2 Incubation of proteins (such as heamoglobin) with glucose leads to their non-enzymatic glycation and formation of Amadori product known as an early glycation product. Oxidative cleavage of Amadori products is considered as a major route to advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formation in vivo. 3 AGEs are the final products of the reaction between excess glucose in the blood and the amino groups in proteins, lipoproteins and nucleic acids, through non-enzymatic rearrangement with the amino acids since the cross-links are unstable. However, AGEs are stable, therefore AGEs accumulate in the tissues which results, with time, in a loss of functionality of the affected tissues. 3 Tissues, especially large and small blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves are mainly affected. 4
Edible clays are consumed by diverse groups of people, especially of African descent, living in Africa and abroad, in a behavior known as geophagy. The clays are used topically as an emollient and drying agent and internally to control diarrhea. Scientific information concerning the chemical constituents and toxicity of edible clays is scarce. The aims of the present study, therefore, were to ascertain the chemical composition of white edible clays (WEC) and gray edible clays (GEC); to determine their toxicity profiles using analytical chemical methods; to test the acute and sub-acute toxicity of edible clays in their natural form as consumed; and to compare the raw and processed clays, and also to compare the latter to a proprietary drug known as ‘Mist kaolin’ (Moko®) which contains some clay along with other chemicals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to determine the elements present. White female Wistar mice and rats were used for the acute and sub-acute toxicity analyses, respectively. The results from AAS showed the presence of heavy metals and metalloids in both GEC and WEC, and the GC/MS revealed the presence of contaminants such as indomethacin and ethyl benzene, but quantities were below human toxicity levels. Doses of 100–500 mg/kg of either clay type could be harmful to the digestive system, but all of the tests revealed that edible clay is not toxic to humans unless very large amounts (500–1000 mg/kg of body weight) are consumed.
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