Nowadays, herbal dietary supplements are widely used as alternatives to synthetic drugs as people consider that natural substances are safer and healthier than synthetic derivatives. Current data in the literature have shown that herbal products indicated for erectile dysfunction pose a potential serious health hazard because they are adulterated with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil or other derivatives.
The aim of this study was to investigate some herbal products use to enhance the men’s potency in order to detect the possible synthetic adulterants. A screening procedure based on a high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was applied in the first step to analyse the herbal supplements purchased from the internet. A gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the samples was used as a confirmatory method.Even though all herbal supplements analyzed in this study were claimed to be 100% natural products, the results demonstrated the presence of undeclared sildenafil or tadalafil. The both PDE-5 inhibitors were confirmed in one product. Although PDE-5 inhibitors have a good safety profile, they are contraindicated in men taking nitrates and should be administered with caution to subjects on multiple antihypertensive medications, as they may cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
The study draws attention to the importance of controlling food supplements in order to detect possible synthetic adulterants that may expose consumers to health risks.
Oana Gheorghiu, Pharm. PhD Student, Prof. Daniela Baconi Pharm., PhD, HDR, ERT Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania
Oana Gheorghiu, Pharm. PhD Student, Prof. Daniela Baconi Pharm., PhD, HDR, ERT Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania
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