Abstract：
Minimal research exists on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), despite their significant contributions to domestic and international health protection. This study is the first to investigate the levels, profiles, and health risks of PCB residue in Pheretima, a typical TCM produced from earthworm. Seventy-seven Pheretima samples from different regions of China were analyzed for 45 PCB congeners. PCBs were found in all samples exhibiting species-dependent discrepancies. ∑45PCBs was ranging from 0.532 to 25.2 µg/kg (mean 4.46 µg/kg), with CB-11 being the most abundant congener contributing 71.8% ± 10.8% to ∑45PCBs, followed by CB-47, which were all non-Aroclor congeners called unintentionally produced PCBs (UP-PCBs). The average estimated daily intake of ∑45PCBs, ∑7ID-PCBs (indicative polychlorinated biphenyls), and CB-11 were 0.71, 0.04, and 0.51 ng/kg bw/d, respectively. The ∑HQ of PCBs in Pheretima samples was 2.97 × 10-4-2.46 × 10-2 (mean 2.77 × 10-3, 95th 4.21 × 10-3), while the ∑RQ ranged from 1.19 × 10-8 to 2.88 × 10-6 (mean 4.87 × 10-7, 95th 2.31 × 10-6). These findings indicate that Pheretima ingestion does not pose significant non-carcinogenic risks. However, certain individual samples exhibit an acceptable level of potential risks, particularly when considering that PCBs are recognized as endocrine disruptors and classified as probable carcinogens. These results contribute to the safety evaluation of traditional medicines and suggest the potential use of Pheretima as a bioindicator for PCB pollution. It is advisable to monitor UP-PCBs as indicator congeners and gather additional toxicological data.
摘要：
关于中药（TCM）的多氯联苯（PCB）暴露的研究很少，尽管他们对国内和国际健康保护做出了重大贡献。这项研究是第一个调查水平，profiles,以及Pheretima中PCB残留的健康风险，一种典型的由蚯蚓产生的中药。分析了来自中国不同地区的77份Pheretima样品中的45种PCB同源物。在所有样品中均发现了多氯联苯，表现出物种依赖性差异。∑45PCBs的范围为0.532至25.2µg/kg（平均4.46µg/kg），CB-11是最丰富的同源物，对∑45PCB的贡献为71.8%±10.8%，其次是CB-47，它们都是非Aroclor同源物，称为无意产生的PCB（UP-PCB）。∑45PCBs的平均每日估计摄入量，∑7ID-多氯联苯(指示性多氯联苯)，CB-11分别为0.71、0.04和0.51纳克/千克体重/天，分别。Pheretima样品中PCBs的∑HQ为2.97×10-4-2.46×10-2（平均2.77×10-3，95个4.21×10-3），∑RQ范围为1.19×10-8至2.88×10-6(平均4.87×10-7，95分2.31×10-6)。这些发现表明，摄入Pheretima不会带来明显的非致癌风险。然而,某些个体样本表现出可接受的潜在风险水平，特别是考虑到多氯联苯被认为是内分泌干扰物，并被归类为可能的致癌物。这些结果有助于传统药物的安全性评估，并建议将Pheretima用作PCB污染的生物指示剂。建议监测UP-多氯联苯作为指标同源物，并收集其他毒理学数据。
