Are medicinal herbs safe? The opinion of plant vendors from Diadema (São Paulo, southeastern Brazil)

Lanini, Juliana; Duarte-Almeida, Joaquim Maurício; Nappo, Solange Aparecida; Carlini, E. A.

doi:10.1590/s0102-695x2011005000188

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…The meanings they had were constructed through family relations, as all the subjects said that they learnt about medicinal plants with their ascendant relatives, especially mothers and grandmothers. The acquisition of this knowledge through transmission between generations was reported in other studies, reinforcing the view that the older generation are the guardians of phytotherapy (6,7,(20)(21)(22) . (4) .…”

Section: Representations Of Medicinal Plants Among Male Senior Citizenssupporting

confidence: 70%

Representations and uses of medicinal plants in elderly men

Lima¹,

Arruda²,

Renovato

et al. 2012

Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem

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The aim of this study was to know and understand the representations and use of medicinal plants by elderly men assisted in the Family Health Strategies of Dourados, MS. Participated in this study, 18 elderly men aged over 60 years, using four or more medications. The research was conducted with qualitative approach. The results showed that there is still the consumption of medicinal plants among the elderly, especially in the treatment of minor harm. The representations about the plants seem anchored in the concept of safety; they are natural and few side effects. Its use is made concurrently with the manufactured medicines without regard to risk of interactions. Older men use medicinal plants, without however reporting to health professionals. Therefore, it is necessary continuing education focused on phytotherapy health team and nursing, contributing to safe and effective use of medicinal plants.

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Section: Representations Of Medicinal Plants Among Male Senior Citizenssupporting

confidence: 70%

Representations and uses of medicinal plants in elderly men

Lima¹,

Arruda²,

Renovato

et al. 2012

Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem

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show abstract

“…To date, in Brazil, medicinal plants are freely sold on the open-air markets, at fairs, and especially by herbal vendors in the streets with little or no restriction [13]. Based solely on traditional knowledge, the herb sellers or companies marketing medicinal plants do not provide information on the maximum daily dosage that can cause toxicity in children, adults, and the elderly [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Boraginaceae family). In Brazilian folk medicine, C. salicifolia is used as an antiobesity medicine, appetite suppressant, and diuretic [13]. C. salicifolia is popularly known as "porangaba" or "cafezinho-domato" grows abundantly in the central and northeast regions of Brazil and the tropical forest areas of Argentina and Paraguay [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Hazardous Level of Heavy Metals in Different Medicinal Plants and Their Decoctions in Water: A Public Health Problem in Brazil

Tschinkel¹,

Pereira

Silva

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

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and Pb by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was performed on dry matter and decoctions of the medicinal plants Cordia salicifolia, Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc., and Echites peltata used as an appetite suppressant and diuretic in Brazil. e accuracy of the measurements was analyzed by the spike recovery test. Results showed that the concentration of these seven metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na, and Zn) in dry plant samples is below the oral concentration of elemental impurities established by the United States Pharmacopoeia Convention (USP). However, there are no concentration limits for Fe, Na, and Zn established by the USP in drug substances and excipients. Levels higher than the recommended value by the USP were observed for Pb and the lowest for Cd, Co, Cr, and Cu, both in dried plant samples and their decoctions. In the decoctions prepared from these plants were found elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na, Zn, and Pb. In the decoction prepared from 40 g C. salicifolia leaves and 40 g C. alba wood, the content of Cd is above the oral daily exposure value set by the USP. Hazard index (HI) for decoctions prepared from these plants exceeded the threshold (1). Given the uncertainties associated with the estimates of toxicity values and exposure factors, futures researches should address the possible toxicity in humans. Uncontrolled selling and long-term ingestion of medicinal plants can cause toxicity and interfere with the effect of drugs. Limited knowledge on the interaction potential of medicinal plants poses a challenge and public health problem in Brazil and other countries.

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“…It is naive to consider however, that since these plants have been consumed as food or are being used as herbal products they are safe. As per the review of Lanini et al 2 "if herbs have an effect, they are also likely to have a side effect". The toxicity or safety of any substance derived from nature depends on several factors such as its route of administration, dosage and period of time the medicine is active.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Vitro Toxicity Studies on the Extract of Medicinal Plant Evolvulus Nummularius as a Potent Microbicidal Candidate

Mullick

Reddy

Saha

et al. 2018

J. Drug Delivery Ther.

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The herb Evolvulus nummularius (L). L generally grown as an ornamental plant has found many applications in traditional folk medicine. There was however insufficient scientific data to back its safety to be used on humans. Methanolic extract of E. nummularius was used to check for its safety as a vaginal microbicide through various safety tests such as cell viability using MTT assay on three female genital tract epithelial cell lines, vaginal (VK2/E6E7), endocervical (End1/E6E7) and endometrial (HEC-1-A). Quantification of hemolytic activity was done on human red blood cells (RBCs). Determination of cellular integrity was checked by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) assay and permeability by fluorescent microsphere assay. At 24 hours, application of the extract for cell viability assay showed extensive cell death with cell disruption. IC 50 of VK2/E6E7 and HEC-1-A cells were found to be 2 mg/ml, IC 50 of End1/E6E7 was 1 mg/ml. For hemolytic assay, with treatment of the extract for one hour did not show hemolysis till the concentration of 2.5mg/ml. In TER and microsphere permeability assays, polarized HEC-1-A monolayer 24 hours post treatment had significant drop in TER and enhanced fluorescence from passage of microspheres implying disruption of the epithelial monolayer. The study revealed that the crude methanolic extract appeared to be toxic towards human RBCs and female genital tract epithelial cells. Due to its toxic nature, its direct applications to the human vaginal tissue in vivo should be done with caution.

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Are medicinal herbs safe? The opinion of plant vendors from Diadema (São Paulo, southeastern Brazil)

Cited by 17 publications

References 31 publications

Representations and uses of medicinal plants in elderly men

Representations and uses of medicinal plants in elderly men

The Hazardous Level of Heavy Metals in Different Medicinal Plants and Their Decoctions in Water: A Public Health Problem in Brazil

In Vitro Toxicity Studies on the Extract of Medicinal Plant Evolvulus Nummularius as a Potent Microbicidal Candidate

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