Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is used worldwide possesses the satisfactory function of disease prevention, treatment and health care, and this natural medicine seems to be favored due to its low side effects. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which exist in all aspects of our lives, may interfere with the synthesis, action and metabolism of human sex steroid hormones, resulting in the development and fertility problems as well as obesity and the disturbance of energy homeostasis. From planting to processing, TCM may be polluted by various EDCs. Many studies pay attention to this problem, but there are still few reviews on the residues and toxicity risks of EDCs in TCM. In this paper, researches related to EDCs in TCM were screened. The possible contamination sources of TCM from planting to processing and its toxic effects were introduced. Moreover, the residues of metals, pesticides and other EDCs in TCM as well as the health risks of human exposure to EDCs through ingestion of TCM materials were reviewed.
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This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant number 22106143]; and Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province [Grant number 20220107].
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Zhiqin Hu contributed to the idea, writing and revising the original draft. Lixiang Wu, Hongya Gan and Huili Lan contributed to acquisition, extraction and analysis of data. Bingqi Zhu contributed to critically revision of the work. Xiaoqing Ye contributed to funding acquisition, writing—review and editing.
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Hu, Z., Wu, L., Gan, H. et al. Toxicological effects, residue levels and risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in Chinese medicine: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 79724–79743 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28138-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28138-z