The Toxicological Risk Assessment of Lead and Cadmium in Valeriana Officinalis L., Radix (Valerian Root) as Herbal Medicinal Product for the Relief of Mild Nervous Tension and Sleep Disorders Available in Polish Pharmacies

Abstract

Studies related to the toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of heavy metal impurities (HMIs) in pharmaceuticals are an important issue but there is a lack of refereed literature around the safety of Valeriana officinalis L., radix (Valerian root) as herbal medicinal product (HMP) for the relief of mild nervous tension and sleep disorders according to lead and cadmium impurities. The aim of the study was to estimate the TRA of lead and cadmium in Valeriana officinalis L., radix (Valerian root) as HMP (n = 5) available in Polish pharmacies. In the case of herbal pharmaceuticals, it is particularly important to control the level of HMIs accumulated during the plant's growth. Perhaps, the exposure for a single dose is not relevant; however, justification of our studies is a fact that herbal therapies are usually long term. Therefore, even small HMI doses as present in particular plant may accumulate in patient body over a long period of time. Levels of lead and cadmium were measured by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry. The levels of lead and cadmium as HMIs (independently of the producer and declared composition) are quite similar. Our results are satisfactory, confirming the safety of Valeriana officinalis L., radix (Valerian root) as herbal medicinal product for the relief of mild nervous tension and sleep disorders available in Polish pharmacies according to ICH guideline Q3D. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first study about lead and cadmium content as HMIs in HMP containing Valeriana officinalis L., radix (Valerian root).