Ann Dermatol.  2019 Aug;31(4):414-419. 10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.414.

Quantitative Analysis of Metal Contents in Korean Herbs and Herbal Products to Give Advice for Metal Allergic Patient

• Choi MJ
• Byun JY
• Choi HY
• Choi YW

• KMID: 2451478
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.414

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Herbs have been used worldwide as complementary and alternative medicines. In Korea, herbs for medical purpose are strictly controlled by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). But it does not provide standards for metal antigens.
OBJECTIVE
This study conducted to identify the metal contents of Korean herbs and herbal products and to give information on counselling metal allergic patient.
METHODS
The concentration of three metal allergens with high antigenicity, cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) was quantitatively determined using inductively coupled plasma with a mass spectrometer after nitric acid (HNO₃) digestion. The herbal objects are as follows: 1) ten kinds of herb plants, 2) ten herbal products sold in Korean drugstores, and 3) ten herbal extracts prescribed by Korean herbal doctors.
RESULTS
In 30 samples, Ni and Cr were detected in all items. Co was not detected in two drugstore products.
CONCLUSION
Although the levels of metal detected in this study were very low relative to international guidelines and KFDA regulations, the herbal preparations contained similar or higher metal levels than known metal-rich foods. It can cause problems when it added to the daily diet and cause deterioration of skin lesions of metal sensitized person.

Keyword

Complementary therapies; Dermatitis; contact; Herbal medicine; Metals

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Chromium
Cobalt
Complementary Therapies
Dermatitis
Diet
Digestion
Herbal Medicine
Humans
Korea
Metals
Nickel
Nitric Acid
Plant Preparations
Plasma
Skin
Social Control, Formal
United States Food and Drug Administration
Allergens
Chromium
Cobalt
Metals
Nickel
Nitric Acid
Plant Preparations

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