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Safety Assessment of Anthemis nobilis –Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Abstract
Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) flower extract, anthemis nobilis flower oil, anthemis nobilis flower powder, and anthemis nobilis flower water are ingredients that function as fragrance ingredients and skin-conditioning agents in cosmetic products. These ingredients are being used at concentrations up to 10% (anthemis nobilis flower water) in cosmetic products. The available data indicate that these 4 ingredients are not irritating or sensitizing. Chemical composition data and the low use concentrations suggest that systemic toxicity would not be likely if percutaneous absorption of constituents were to occur. Formulations may contain more than 1 botanical ingredient; each may contribute to the final concentration of a single component. Manufacturers were cautioned to avoid reaching levels of plant constituents that may cause sensitization or other adverse effects. Industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities in the ingredient before blending into cosmetic formulations. The Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
... The main compounds are isobutyl angelate (from 13.0 to 36.0%), isoamyl angelate (from 8.4 to 30.1%), 3-methylpenthyl angelate (from 16.2 to 20.3%), isoamyl-isobutyrate (to 20.5%), isobutylisovalerate (to 4.4%), 2-methylbutyl methacrylate (to 3.7%), transpinocarveol (до 9.3%), pinocarvone (4.5-8.1%), α-pinene (to 7.3%), isoamyltiglate (to 1.2%), camphene (to 5.9%), α-terpinene (about 4%), etc. 1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Roman chamomile essential oil has antimicrobial activity 5,12 and other biological properties 4,10 . It is used in very low dosages to flavour alcoholic beverages and perfumes, as a toner in floral compositions 1,2 , and in cosmetic products 1 . ...
... The flowers of different species of chamomile contain a variety of biologically active substances 13 , thus producing extracts 9,14,15 with an established antioxidant effect 16 , which has applications in medicine and cosmetics 9 . ...
... The flowers of different species of chamomile contain a variety of biologically active substances 13 , thus producing extracts 9,14,15 with an established antioxidant effect 16 , which has applications in medicine and cosmetics 9 . ...
Roman chamomile is a wild and cultivated plant in many countries worldwide and is mainly used in folk medicine. The flower's essential oil is used in various cosmetic, perfumery and aromatherapy products. In recent years in Bulgaria, the plant has been cultivated in the experimental field of the Institute of Roses, Essential and Medical Plants, Kazanlak. The present work aims to prepare essential oil and determine its chemical composition and antioxidant activity to reveal new possibilities for its application. The essential oil was obtained under laboratory conditions by steam distillation (yield 0.14%) and its main components determined by GC/MS were: isobutyl angelate (37.22%), 2-methylbutyl angelate (18.71%), methylallyl angelate (11.85%), isobutyl isobutyrate (5.86%), pentan-2-yl 2-methylbut-2-enoate (5.48%), 2-metylbutyl isobutyrate (3.47%), and (Z)-pinocarveol (2.86%). The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was also determined by three methods-ABTS (1.54 µM TE/g), DPPH (1.09 µM TE/g), and CUPRAC (2.26 µM TE/g). The results show that Roman chamomile can be successfully cultivated in Bulgaria. Its essential oil has an interesting chemical composition and antioxidant activity, a prerequisite for use in various food and cosmetic products, a novelty for our country.
... Likewise, the pore size was to analyze whether the skin absorption, secretion, excretion, and metabolic of pores are in good condition. Also, the phlogosis analysis was to examine skin sensitivity, such as skin redness, pyrexia, itchy, and pain 40 . ...
Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) is a cactus plant that commonly grows in Penghu Island, Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC). However, still lack of scientific study on the Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw extract on skin-whitening-associated tyrosinase activity and melanin production. The activities of its extract in melanogenesis were investigated in this article. In this experiment, we used an extract from the Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) to study its tyrosinase inhibition, anti-melanin generation, UV-protection effects and wound healing capacity in B16-F10 melanocytes. Without reducing cell growth greatly or causing cell death, 20 g/L cactus extract effectively inhibited the melanin production of B16-F10 cells, and melanogenesis was induced by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The cactus extract could also promote cell proliferation. Cactus extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increased that of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Thus, it could reduce cell melanin production and promote cell growth but by also reducing IGF-1 and VEGF mRNA expression, may reduce wound scarring and prevent tumor proliferation and swelling. Increasing TGF-β mRNA expression can help increase collagen to remove wrinkles and help in wound healing. Skin patch test results agreed with in vitro results with B16-F10 melanoma cells. The cactus extract significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and reduced melanin production, showing a whitening effect on skin tests. Cactus may be a good natural candidate for inhibiting melanin production and promoting cell proliferation.
... The current report showed that the dichloromethane extract and the non-polar fractions of A. mirheydari had considerable growth inhibitory activities on tumor cells and most likely these effects are related to sesquiterpenoids. Safety information is not available for many species belonging to the genus Anthemis L., although, safety studies of some plants like A. nobilis showed no acute toxicity and genotoxic activity, despite slight ocular and skin irritation (Johnson Jr et al., 2017). ...
... The current report showed that the dichloromethane extract and the non-polar fractions of A. mirheydari had considerable growth inhibitory activities on tumor cells and most likely these effects are related to sesquiterpenoids. Safety information is not available for many species belonging to the genus Anthemis L., although, safety studies of some plants like A. nobilis showed no acute toxicity and genotoxic activity, despite slight ocular and skin irritation (Johnson Jr et al., 2017). ...
Introduction
The increasing number of cancer patients, together with the side effects of current chemical treatments have encouraged the exploration of the potential of Iranian medicinal plants as a rich source of anticancer compounds.
Methods
In the current review, 114 medicinal plant species grown in Iran were selected and their major constituents, animal or cell targets, as well as possible anticancer mechanisms, were ascertained through searching pertinent keywords in the Scientific Information Database (SID), IranMedex, PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases.
Results
Of the 114 species (with more emphasis on Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Fabaceae as major plant families in Iran) that were reviewed, some were endemic plants of Iran, with others found in other countries. Besides valuable and well-known anticancer plants such as Taxus baccata and Catharanthus roseus, other species were included. Several compounds of these plants, such as organo-sulfur compounds, terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, phenylethanoids, coumarins and polysaccharides have been proposed to exhibit anticancer effects. In general, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial suppression, reductiob of DNA damage, vital enzyme inhibition and/or blocking angiogenesis were considered as the proposed mechanisms for the anticancer potential of the studied plants.
Conclusion
Investigating the bioactive anticancer components of Iranian medicinal plants, especially the endemic species, seems to be beneficial for achieving novel potential anticancer drugs that are better equipped to fight cancer.
Valorization of botanicals for the development of natural food-grade ingredients is an important task in terms of sustainability and processing waste reduction. In this study, Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.) herb was collected at six different vegetation phases in the period 26 May – 23 August 2019 and subjected to biorefining into the several valuable fractions. The yield of hydro-distilled essential oil (EO) was in the range of 0.22% (intensive vegetative growth) to 0.80% (full flowering). Angelic, isobutyric, butyric and methacrylic acid esters and some monoterpene and sesquiterpene derivatives were the major EO constituents: 3-methylpentyl angelate (20.11-27.56%), methallyl angelate (7.28-10.33%), isoamyl angelate (5.57-9.02%), isobutyl angelate (4.84-6.79%), 2-methylbutyl angelate (3.11-6.32%), 3-methylamyl methacrylate (5.04-6.17%), 3-methylpentyl isobutyrate (4.29-6.64%), 3-methylamyl isobutyrate (4.29-6.64%), α-pinene (1.61-6.37%) and pinocarvone (1.46-4.67%). In order to valorize water soluble and solid EO distillation residues their antioxidant potential was evaluated by several in vitro assays: water extracts were considerably stronger antioxidants than acetone extracts isolated from the solid residues. Water extracts of the plants collected at flowering phases were the strongest antioxidants; their TPC, FRAP and ORAC values were up to 143.2 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, 650, and 5601 μmol TE/g dry extract, respectively, while effective concentrations (EC50) of DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging, were down to 0.59 and 0.49 mg/mL, respectively. Among 7 tentatively identified by UPLC/Q-TOF/MS phenolic constituents the intensity of molecular ion of 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid was the largest. The results obtained may assist for developing flavorings, antioxidants and health beneficial preparations from C. nobile extracts.
Background
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common complaint among postmenopausal women, which is largely because of the genitourinary syndrome in these women (GSM).
Aim
Considering the phytoestrogenic effects of chamomile, the present study was primarily aimed to investigate the effect of chamomile vaginal gel on the sexual function of postmenopausal women. The side effects of these drugs were evaluated as a secondary outcome of the study.
Methods
This randomized double-blind clinical trial and placebo-controlled study was conducted on postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤26.55). To this aim, 96 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 32 each) including women receiving (i) chamomile vaginal gel 5%, (ii) conjugated estrogen vaginal cream, and (iii) placebo vaginal gel, for 12 weeks (ie, every night in the first 2 weeks, and 2 nights per week in the next 10 weeks, each night 1 g was used). The sexual function was measured using female sexual function index (FSFI) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed by chi-square, one-way ANOVA, descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and paired t test using SPSS software version 22. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.
Outcomes
The main study outcome measure was evaluate the effects of vaginal administration of chamomile gel in comparison with conjugated estrogen cream and placebo gel on postmenopausal FSD using the FSFI.
Results
The findings showed that chamomile vaginal gel in compared to placebo vaginal gel caused a significant improvement in all six sexual function domains and the total FSFI score (effect size = +2.9 [95% CI, +2.1 to +3.6], P < .001). Also, there was no significant difference between the chamomile vaginal gel and conjugated estrogen vaginal cream groups in terms of the total score and all sub-domains of sexual function with the exception of orgasm (effect size = +0.13 [95% CI, −0.36 to +0.63], P = .02) and sexual satisfaction (effect size = 0 [95% CI, −0.49 to +0.49], P = .04). Two women in the chamomile group and one in the placebo group experienced a burning sensation (P = .345).
Clinical Implications
This treatment can be considered as a treatment option for postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction who have contraindications to the use of hormone therapy.
Strengths & Limitations
This study is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of chamomile vaginal gel on sexual function in postmenopausal women. However, in this study, treatment duration was 12 weeks and no follow up was performed beyond this time
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, the use of vaginal chamomile gel improved sexual function in postmenopausal women.
Bosak Z, Iravani M, Moghimipour E, et al. Effect of Chamomile Vaginal Gel on the Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med 2022;XX:XXX–XXX.
In an aim to prove the efficiency of Polyphenols of Rosa canina fruits in promoting human health. A methanolic extract of R.canina fruits was prepared by successive maceration with solvents of increasing polarity. The polyphenols composition was analyzed by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS. The biological activity of this extract on SH‐SY5Y cells and HepG2 cells was then studied. The antioxidant activity was tested by different in vitro tests such as DPPH‐radical‐scavenging activity, FRAP assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and total antioxidant capacity. The subacute toxicity of R.canina was tested on female rats by repeated intraperitoneal administration of different doses. The phenolic profiles showed 25 antioxidants distributed into three classes of phenolic compounds: glycosylated and agglomerated flavonoids/isoflavonoids, tannins, and phenanthrenes. Qualitative phytochemical analyzes showed that this extract lacks alkaloids. The methanolic extract of R.canina fruits has a total antioxidant capacity of 82.69±1.18 μg EAA/mg of methanol extract and the IC50 of the methods used is in the following increasing order: FRAP assay (61.88 μg/ml), then hydroxyl radical scavenging assay (67.45 μg/ml) and then DPPH radical‐scavenging activity (129.81 μg/ml). The extract of R.canina did not cause any phenotypic signs of toxicity or mortality during and after treatment. LD50 was higher than 5000 mg/kg, hence, R.canina was considered non‐toxic. In‐vivo study proved the protective effect of R.canina against cardiac and hepato‐renal toxicities. These results drew the importance of a healthy diet, where diets rich in Rosa canina fruits can be used as a rich natural source of antioxidants and anti‐carcinogenic phenolic compounds.
The constituents of the essential oil obtained from flowerheads of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch. plants growing around Medianeira city, in Paraná State, Brazil, were analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents identified in the oil were similar to those found in oils from other parts of the world. The Brazilian oil contained the following major components: bisabolol oxide B (23%), bisabolol oxide A (17%), (Z)-β-farnesene (16%), α-bisabolol (13%), chamazulene (8%) and chamo-spiroether (5%).
The consumer exposure to the vast majority of cosmetic products is limited to dermal contact. Even spray applications tend to be topically exposed to skin or hair. Besides this skin contact, spray products require additional considerations in regard to potential inhalation for building a robust and reliable safety assessment. Over the years, cosmetic industry developed prediction models for the best estimate of inhalation exposure combining data from computer simulation programs available in the market, individual real measured data and last but not least the experience from the market. Such attempt is driven by the toxicological profile of individual used ingredients. The focus of this review is on the determination of inhalation exposure, and the derivation of safe exposure levels for cosmetic spray products. Many of the methods employed to ensure product safety of cosmetic sprays in accordance with the general requirements of the EC Cosmetics Directive are based on industry experience which are not necessarily consistent across companies. This paper presents an approach to compile common principles for risk assessment and thus contribute to standardisation of safety assessment methodologies utilized for spray product evaluation without interfering with the flexibility of the individual safety assessor. It is based on the experience within the author's companies and may be useful as a support document as well for SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) companies safety assessors. In this respect it can be seen as one fundamental step in a tiered approach of cosmetic spray safety evaluation.
A 20-year-old woman with a proven allergy to camomile suffered from short-lasting rhinitis when using a camomile-scented toilet paper. The prick-by-prick test performed with the toilet paper was positive. Diagnosis was confirmed by a challenge test that also resulted positive. This is the first reported case of toilet-paper-induced acute rhinitis. The removal of the toilet paper from the bathroom was sufficient to obtain the disappearance of symptoms. Patients allergic to camomile should avoid a camomile-scented toilet paper.
Compositae-sensitive patients are routinely warned against topical use of Compositae-containing cosmetics and herbal remedies. However, the risk of elicitation of dermatitis in presensitized persons is unknown.
The main aim of this study was to assess the significance of direct plant allergen contact via Compositae-derived cosmetics and herbal remedies in Compositae-allergic patients with special reference to arnica (Arnica montana) and German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita).
8 of 12 chamomile-sensitive patients tested positive to chamomile-containing preparations, including tea, creams, ointments, and oil. 5 of 6 arnica-sensitive persons tested positive to arnica-based products.
When the group was patch tested with cosmetic and/or herbal product ingredients, plant allergens elicited positive reactions most frequently, but fragrances, emulsifiers, and preservatives tested positive as well. Plant allergens were mainly derived from Compositae, but avocado oil, and Hamamelis virginiana tincture were unexpectedly detected as sensitizers too. Chemical analyses indicated that the Compositae allergens were both sesquiterpene lactones and other naturally occurring compounds.
In conclusion, Compositae-allergic persons should be warned against topical use of Compositae-containing products, not only because of the plant allergens, but also because of allergenic cream constituents that may cause reactions in the group of patients who have multiple contact allergies beside the Compositae allergy.
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) was formed as a nonprofit corporation in 1966. Its purpose is to gather and analyze scientific data, engage in testing and evaluation, distribute information, cooperate with official agencies, and encourage uniform safety standards related to the use of fragrance ingredients. RIFM's vision is that state-of-the-art science can help consumers enjoy fragranced products with confidence in safety. The RIFM scientific program helps to ensure the safe use of fragrance materials.
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials was formed as a nonprofit corporation in 1966. Its purpose is to gather and analyze scientific data, engage in testing and evaluation, distribute information, cooperate with official agencies, and encourage uniform safety standards related to the use of fragrance ingredients.
We studied the essential oil production of cultivated (BK-2, Degumil) and wild chamomile populations of 4 typical chamomile-rich regions of Hungary. We examined the essential oil composition of flowers, herbs (stem plus leaves) and roots using GC and GC/MS methods. Among cultivated species, the Hungarian BK-2 contains more chamazulene in its essential oil than the German Degumil type, which is mainly cultivated for its a-bisabolol. Both components have important antiinflammatory activities. Wild populations can be easily distinguished from cultivated ones by their high amount of bisaboloides, particularly the flower of Szabadkigyos wild type, which contained on average 48 % of the biologically active (-)-α-bisabolol. The regional wild chamomile samples mentioned above have already been examined previously in our Institute. We found it interesting to compare the content of biologically active components, at the same conditions, of presently promising populations with the results obtained 20 years ago from the same species. While the content of the essential oil of rural Szabadkígyós wild type remained unchanged, there was a trend of the essential oil components towards the therapeutically important compounds. The amount of (-)-α-bisabolol in Szabadkígyós mounted up to a 3-fold increase and we measured a doublefold increase of chamazulene content in BK-2 compared with samples 20 years ago. We can conclude that although a change was observed in the essential oil content and also in the proportion of different components, the fundamental characteristics of the oils remained the same. To keep the genom of Szabadkígyós wild type having high (-)-α-bisabolol content, we used biotechnological methods. The sterile roots of organised culture contained also β-eudesmol, wich was firstly identified from the intact roots by us. Our gas chromatographical and mass-spectroscopical studies showed that sterile chamomile cultures generated the most important terpenoid and polyin compounds characteristic of the mother plant. We identified berkheyaradulene, α-selinene, geranyl-isovalerate and cedrol as new components in these sterile cultures.
200 gr) were subjected to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger – type apparatus until there was no significant increase in the volume of the oil collected (2.5 h). The yield of the blue oil was 0.9% (w/w). The essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Identification of the components was based on GC retention indices computer matching with Wiley GC-MS library, and by comparison of the fragmentation patterns of the mass spectra with those reported in the literature (Adams, 2004). 47 components were identified constituting more than 83.1% of the oil. p-Cymene-8-ol(0.7%), Azulene(0.4%), p-Cymene (1.1%), 1,8-Cineole (2.1%), Artemisia Alcohol (0.2%), β-Elemene (0.9%), cis-β-farnesene (0.9%), trans-β-farnesene (5.2%), Borneol (0.8%), γ-Cadinene (0.4%), Spathulenol (9.4%), γ-Eudesmol (1.5%), α-Bisabolol oxide B(7.0%), α-Bisabolol oxide A (21.5%), α-Bisabolol (5.0%), Chamazulene (4.2%) and Germacrene D (0.8%) were major components in M. chamomilla L. oil. The oil was tested against seven strains of bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). The oil showed mild to significant antimicrobial activity associated mainly with Gram-positive and Gram-Negative bacteria.
The lipophilicity of 25 essential oils was determined through calculation of the lipophilicity (log P) of individual essential constituents and the percentage composition of the essential oils, respectively. The lipophilicity of the essential oils (log Pmix) increased in the order: cassia, cinnamon, mustard, parsley, eucalyptus, clove, peppermint, sage, rosemary, anise, lemongrass, fennel, citronella, caraway, thyme, lavender, pine needle, bergamot, dwarf-pine, turpentine, angelica, lemon, rose, sweet flag and chamomile. The log Pmix values correlated significantly (r2 = 0.82) with the acute oral toxicity of 18 essential oils towards rats, whereby toxicity decreases with increasing lipophilicity. The opposite is known for several classes of organic compounds, where toxicity towards living organisms increases with increasing lipophilicity. Therefore, lipophilic essential oils such as chamomile and/or lipophilic sesquiterpenes like (-)-α-bisabolol, farnesol and nerolidol or diterpenes such as sclareol present interesting, pharmacologically active, nontoxic substances worthwhile for further investigation.
Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile L. (Asteraceae), has been used for medicinal applications, mainly through oral dosage forms (decoctions and infusions). Herein, the nutritional characterisation of C. nobile was performed, and herbal material and its decoction and infusion were submitted to an analysis of phytochemicals and bioactivity evaluation. The antioxidant activity was determined by free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the antitumour potential was tested in human tumour cell lines (breast, lung, colon, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas), and the hepatotoxicity was evaluated using a porcine liver primary cell culture. C. nobile proved to be an equilibrated valuable herb rich in carbohydrates and proteins, and poor in fat, providing tocopherols, carotenoids and essential fatty acids (C18:2n6 and C18:3n3). Moreover, the herb and its infusion are a source of phenolic compounds (flavonoids such as flavonols and flavones, phenolic acids and derivatives) and organic acids (oxalic, quinic, malic, citric and fumaric acids) that showed antioxidant and antitumour activities, without hepatotoxicity. The most abundant compounds in the plant extract and infusion were 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and an apigenin derivative. These, as well as other bioactive compounds, are affected in C. nobile decoction, leading to a lower antioxidant potential and absence of antitumour potential. The plant bioactivity could be explored in the medicine, food, and cosmetic industries.
Despite the fact that herbal products (HP) are used frequently during gestation worldwide, studies indicate that they may not be free of danger for fetuses. Evidence about the safety of HP use during pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes is currently lacking.
To quantify the association between HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy (≥15 weeks of gestation [WG]) and more specifically, between use of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), flax (Linum usitatissimum), peppermint (M. balsamea), or green tea (Camellia sinensis) (alone or in combination with other HPs) and the risk of low birth weight (LBW).
We evaluated data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, which was created by the linkage of 3 administrative databases in Quebec, and a self-administered questionnaire mailed to subjects. Participants 8505 women were randomly selected from the registry. Overall, 38.5% of women (n = 3273) returned their questionnaires, and 3183 were included in the study (8 were excluded because of missing values on birth weight or giving birth to twins or triplets). Outcome measures We performed a case-control analysis. Cases were defined as women who delivered a newborn <2500g and controls as women who delivered a newborn ≥2500g. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze data.
Amongst the selected 3183 participants, 424 (13.32%) were cases. After adjusting for potential confounders, no statistically significant associations were found between the use of any HP during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW, or between the use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea (alone or in combination with other HPs) during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW.
HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and more specifically, use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea alone or in combination with other HPs did not significantly increase the risk of LBW.
The present study aimed to explore the use of herbal products among a sample of Italian pregnant women and the possible influence of herbal consumption on pregnancy outcome.
The study was conducted over a 10-month period (2 days a week, from January to October 2009) at the Maternity wards of Padua and Rovereto Hospital. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview on the basis of a prestructured questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics of the enrolled subjects, specific questions on herbal use, information about pregnancy and newborn.
In total, 392 interviews were considered. One hundred and nine out of 392 women (27.8%) reported to have been taking one or more herbal products during pregnancy, in the 36.7% of cases throughout all pregnancy. The most frequently herbs taken by interviewees were chamomile, licorice, fennel, aloe, valerian, echinacea, almond oil, propolis, and cranberry. Four out of 109 women (3.7%) reported side-effects: constipation after a tisane containing a mix of herbs, rash and itching after local application of aloe or almond oil. The decision to use herbal products was mainly based on personal judgement and on the conviction that these natural substances would be safer than traditional medicines. Users were more often affected by morbidities pregnancy-related and their neonates were more frequently small for their gestational age. An higher incidence of threatening miscarriages and preterm labours was observed among regular users of chamomile and licorice.
This research underlines that the use of herbal products during pregnancy is common among Italian women, not always appropriate and in some cases potentially harmful.
UHPLC-MS/MS method using BEH C18 analytical column was developed for the separation and quantitation of 12 phenolic compounds of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). The separation was accomplished using gradient elution with mobile phase consisting of methanol and formic acid 0.1%. ESI in both positive and negative ion mode was optimized with the aim to reach high sensitivity and selectivity for quantitation using SRM experiment. ESI in negative ion mode was found to be more convenient for quantitative analysis of all phenolics except of chlorogenic acid and kaempherol, which demonstrated better results of linearity, accuracy and precision in ESI positive ion mode. The results of method validation confirmed, that developed UHPLC-MS/MS method was convenient and reliable for the determination of phenolic compounds in Chamomile extracts with linearity >0.9982, accuracy within 76.7-126.7% and precision within 2.2-12.7% at three spiked concentration levels. Method sensitivity expressed as LOQ was typically 5-20 nmol/l. Extracts of Chamomile flowers and Chamomile tea were subjected to UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. The most abundant phenolic compounds in both Chamomile flowers and Chamomile tea extracts were chlorogenic acid, umbelliferone, apigenin and apigenin-7-glucoside. In Chamomile tea extracts there was greater abundance of flavonoid glycosides such as rutin or quercitrin, while the aglycone apigenin and its glycoside were present in lower amount.
Exposure to compounds in consumer products can be assessed using the computer program ConsExpo (Consumer Exposure). Given the huge number of consumer products, it is not possible to calculate the exposure for each separate product, so a limited number of groups containing similar products are defined. The information for each group of products is described in a fact sheet. Paint, cosmetics, children's toys and pest control products are examples of fact sheets which have been published already. This fact sheet covers the use of cleaning products by consumers. In the fact sheet 36 product categories are described including laundry detergents, dishwashing products, abrasives and toilet cleaners. To assess exposure of compounds in the cleaning products default values for all 36 product categories have been determined. Een snelle, transparante en gestandaardiseerde blootstellingsschatting van reinigingsmiddelen is dankzij een nieuwe factsheet voor het computerprogramma ConsExpo nu mogelijk. ConsExpo 4.0 is een computerprogramma, dat gebruikt kan worden om de blootstelling van mensen aan stoffen in consumentenproducten uit te rekenen. Hierbij wordt rekening gehouden met verschillende blootstellingsroutes (dus via de huid, via inhalatie en via orale opname). Bij het ConsExpo programma hoort ook een database, waarin standaardwaarden voor vele product typen en voor een groot aantal blootstellingsscenarios worden aangeboden. De beschrijving van deze achtergrondinformatie bij deze standaardwaarden wordt gerapporteerd in zogenoemde 'factsheets'. In dit rapport, factsheet reinigingsmiddelen, is de meest recente informatie bijeengebracht om de blootstelling aan stoffen uit reinigingsmiddelen te berekenen. De verschillende typen reinigingsmiddelen zijn verdeeld in 36 categorien, bijvoorbeeld wasmiddelen, afwasmiddelen, schuurmiddelen en toiletreinigers. Voor iedere categorie wordt de samenstelling en gebruik van producten uit die categorie beschreven. Daarnaast wordt aangegeven welk model of modellen van ConsExpo het meest geschikt is om de blootstelling uit te rekenen en worden voor alle gegevens die nodig zijn voor de berekening standaardwaarden ingevuld. Naast deze factsheet reinigingsmiddelen zijn er ook factsheets voor ongediertebestrijdingsmiddelen, verf, cosmetica en desinfectantia.
Of 160 fragrance raw materials tested for phototoxicity by a procedure involving topical application of the test agents to the skin of hairless mice and miniature swine, followed by exposure of the skin either to simulated sunlight or to near-ultraviolet light (UV-A), 21 elicited a phototoxic response. Of these, 20 were members of the botanical families Rutaceae or Umbelliferae; the single exception was from the family Verbenaceae. Several selected materials were tested, in sunlight and under three laboratory light sources, on the skin of mouse, man and miniature swine. Mouse skin was the most sensitive, reactions in human and swine skin being qualitatively and quantitatively similar.
Genotoxic properties of essential oils from Anthemis nobilis L., Artemisia dracunculus L., Salvia officinalis L., Salvia sclarea L., Satureja hortensis L., Satureja montana L., Thymus capitatus L., Thymus citriodorus Schreb., Thymus vulgaris L., Citrus bergamia Risso, were studied with Bacillus subtilis rec-assay and Salmonella/microsome reversion assay. The essential oil of Artemisia dracunculus L. "Piemontese" turned out to be active in the rec-assay but not in the Salmonella test. DNA-damaging activity was demonstrated to be due to the estragol component of the oil. Advantages of the combined use of these two short-term microbial assays in genotoxic studies are discussed.
The pharmacological properties of essential oils obtained from two varieties of Anthemis nobilis was studied. The two varieties, named "white-headed" or double flowered and "yellow-headed", present considerable morphological differences and yield essential oils with different composition. These essential oils proved to possess interesting anti-inflammatory and sedative properties, especially that derived from the "White-headed" variety.
Acute oral toxicity test in rats and acute dermal toxicity test in rabbits
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