Nephrotoxicity of mercuric chloride, methylmercury and cinnabar-containing Zhu-Sha-An-Shen-Wan in rats

Developmental toxicity from exposure to various forms of mercury compounds in medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) embryos

“…For example, at 10 dpf, less than 5% of medaka embryos died and survivors had no apparent teratogenic effects. These results are comparable with studies of α -HgS and cinnabar-containing traditional medicines in mice (Lu et al, 2011a; Lu et al, 2011b; Wu et al, 2016) and rats (Shi et al, 2011). Similarly, β -HgS has been shown to be much less toxic as compared to HgCl 2 in mice (Zhu et al, 2013; Li et al, 2016; Wu et al, 2016).…”

Role of cinnabar and realgar of WSHFD in protecting against LPS-induced neurotoxicity

“…In traditional Chinese medicines, the potential drug-drug interactions should also be considered. Evidence is accumulated indicating cinnabar and realgar are toxicologically different from toxic Hg and As compounds, such as cinnabar-containing Zhu-ShaAn-Shen Wan (20% cinnabar) (Kang et al, 2010;Shi et al, 2011), realgar-containing Liu-Shen-Wan (13% realgar) , realgar-containing Niu-Huang-Jie-Du pill (6.4% realgar) , as well as Chinese medicines containing both cinnabar and realgar such as An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (10% cinnabar and 10% realgar) (Lu et al, 2011a,b,c). Similarly, acute and chronic administration of WSHFD, cinnabar, and realgar was found to be much less toxic as compared to mercuric chloride, methylmercury and sodium arsenite in mice (Yan et al, 2011) and rats (Peng et al, in press).…”

Interpretation of the source-specific substantive control measures of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

“…Cinnabar has been used for at least 2000 years as part of Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicines, and is still used in at least 46 traditional Chinese patent medicines today. Cinnabar is reported to make up between 11 and 13% of Zhu-Sha-An-Shen-Wan, a popular over-thecounter traditional medicine for insomnia, anxiety, and depression (Shi et al, 2011). Cinnabar is still the main content of the traditional pigment for affixing chops onto traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy works.…”