Review
Ensuring quality in herbal medicines: Toxic phthalates in plastic-packaged commercial herbal products
- Available online 4 September 2012
- Edited by AM Viljoen
Abstract
There
is a proliferation in the use of commercial herbal preparations, most
notably liquid preparations of plant material packaged in plastic
containers. The quality of these herbal preparations has always and
still remains questionable. A number of research institutes and research
groups in tertiary institutions throughout South Africa have embarked
on the development of quality control programmes to test herbal
medicines for safety and efficacy. However, very few of these groups
have placed any emphasis on commercial herbal mixtures. This paper
describes some effects of toxic phthalates such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalates, (a common plasticiser) used in cheap soft plastics and its
metabolites. Analytical methods for the determination, quantification
and monitoring of DEHP in herbal remedies to ensure safety are also
highlighted.
Highlights
►
There is a proliferation of plastic-packaged commercial herbal products
in South African medicinal markets. ► Toxic phthalates have been
isolated from herbal products. ► Quality control regulations are
required to ensure quality in herbal products.
Keywords
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalates;
- Herbal products;
- Phthalates;
- Quality control
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+ 27 33 2605130; fax: + 27 33 2605897.
Copyright © 2012 South African Association of Botanists. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
