Presence of phthalate derivatives in the essential oils of a medicinal plant Achillea tenuifolia

Abstract

BackgroundPhthalate, esters of phthalic acid, are mainly applied as plasticizers and cause several human health and environment hazards. The essential oils of Achillea species have attracted a great concern, since several biological activities have been reported from varieties of these medicinal species. On the other side, due to the problems regarding the waste disposal in developing countries, phthalate derivatives can easily release from waste disposal to the water and soil resulting in probable absorption and accumulation by medicinal and dietary plants. As a matter of fact, although the toxicity of phthalate derivatives in human is well-known, food crops and medicinal plants have been exposing to phthalates that can be detected in their extracts and essential oils. Achillea tenuifolia (Compositea) is one of these herbaceous plants with traditional applications which widely growing in Iran.FindingThe plant root was subjected to hydro-distillation for 4 h using Clevenger type apparatus to obtain its essential oil before and after acid treatment. Both of the hydro-distilled essential oils were analysed by GC-MS method resulted in recognition of their constituent. Phthalate contamination as (1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester (5.4%) and phthalic acid (4.5%), were identified in the first and second extracted oils, respectively.ConclusionAs a warning, due to the potential role of phthalates to cause reproductive toxicity, disturb of endocrine system and causing cancers, medicinal plants have to be considered through quality control for detection of these compounds.

Terpenoids in the Essential Oil and Concentrated Aromatic Products Obtained from Nicotiana glutinosa L. Leaves

“…As seen in Table 1, only the EO of N. glutinosa contained carotenoid-related fragrance compounds, e.g., α-ionone (1.6%), 3,4-dehydro-β-ionone (2.1%), and trans-β-damascenone (1.6%), which was similar to our previous results on N. tabacum aromatic products [39] and the influence of pH, temperature, and duration of hydrodistillation on carotenoid degradation. The presence of phthalic acid esters in the EO (diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate), substances with diverse toxicity profiles, was apparently a consequence of their presence in the plant material, as stated previously for other medicinal plants and EOs [41][42][43]. Moreover, evidence about phthalates identified in common tobacco (N. tabacum) and tobacco extracts was also documented in several publications [44][45][46][47].…”

Chemical composition of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea species and their biological activities: A review

“…A sesquiterpene lactone, sintenin (Gören et al, 1988) A. tenuifolia Lam. Phthalate derivatives (Manayi et al, 2014) A. tenuifolia Lam.…”

Identification and Quantification of Phthalate Pollution in Holothuria atra, a Sea Cucumber from the Persian Gulf (Iran)

“…Previous studies also indicate that phthalates could exhibit inflammation, early puberty in girls, oxidative stress, asthma, and allergic reactions (5)(6)(7). Furthermore, induction of toxicity in the liver, lungs, kidneys and testis has been reported for these compounds (3).…”

“…Most commonly used phthalate esters, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), are one of the main groups of plastics that may cause severe side effects for human health (3). These phthalates effect the endocrine systems, such as sex hormones and thyroids (4).…”