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. 2020 Mar 19:7:468-474.
doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.03.003. eCollection 2020.

Assessment of carcinogenic and toxic substances in 'Insunko' herb

Maybin Kalubula  1   2 , Heqing Shen  1 , Tasawar Khanam  3
Affiliations

Assessment of carcinogenic and toxic substances in 'Insunko' herb

Maybin Kalubula et al. Toxicol Rep. .

Abstract

There has emerged a herb in Zambia called 'insunko' which has unknown chemical composition. The use of 'insunko' herb with unknown chemical composition has brought mixed feelings among many Zambians. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the toxic and carcinogenic substances in'insunko' herb. 'Insunko' herb was purchased from Chipata, Lusaka, Mpika, Mwense, Kitwe, and Solwezi. 5 samples were collected from each of these districts and were thoroughly mixed to give 6 consolidated samples (n = 6). Nicotine and, nitrosamines were analysed using UV spectrometer lambda 35 Perkin Elmer while trace metals were analysed using ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Nicotine, nitrosamines, and trace metals were detected in high concentrations. The concentrations ranged from 3.87 to 9.83 mg/kg for nitrosamines and 10.94-34.01 mg/kg for nicotine. Hazard Indexes for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, and copper were greater than one (HI > 1). 'Insunko' herb is a potentially toxic and carcinogenic substance because it contains toxic and carcinogenic constituents in high concentrations. These toxic and carcinogenic constituents have been confirmed to cause gastrointestinal disorders, cancers, degenerative, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, neurologic and cognitive problems as well as male infertility.

Keywords: Carcinogens; Health hazards; Toxic trace metals; ‘Insunko’ herb.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Physical appearance of ‘insunko’ herb.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt and lead in ‘insunko’ herb.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Concentrations of chromium, nickel, manganese and copper in ‘insunko’ herb.
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