Evaluation of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in herbal products used in gas pain in pediatric patients

In this study, the frequency of use of herbal products used in gas pain in pediatric patients, which herbal products are used, where the herbal products are taken from and the reasons for choosing herbal products were evaluated. In this context, it was aimed to determine the pyrrolizidine alkaloid contents of these herbal products, which are frequently sold in the market for use in children's gas pain. The survey part of the study was carried out in Gazi University Hospital General Pediatrics Polyclinic and Social Pediatrics Polyclinic. The pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of 28 herbal products found to be frequently sold in gas pains was also determined by LC-QTOF-MS analysis. It was detected that 31,5% of the participants made their children use herbal products in gas pain, 51,3% of the parents preferred fennel, and 59,0% of the parents bought herbal products used in gas pains from herbalists. In order to evaluate the pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination, the alkaloid was detected in 75% of herbal products obtained from herbalists and the internet. Europine was detected in 16 of 28 samples and both europine and seneciphylline were found in 2 of 28 samples. The number of samples containing only seneciphylline is 7. The concentration of alkaloids in herbal products containing pyrrolizidine alkaloid was determined in the range of 31,163-434,067 µg/kg. Due to the contamination of these teas, it is certain that long-term and high-dose consumption will create a health problem for both children and mothers.