Quality assessment of manipulated and herbal products based on Ginkgo biloba, Passiflora incarnata and Matricaria recutita sold in the Brazilian and Argentine markets

Abstract

Natural products, in addition to reflecting our culture and tradition, represent a large share of the medicine market. Among the most used plants are Ginkgo biloba, Matricaria recutita and Passiflora incarnata. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of capsules and tablets containing these plants, produced by master pharmacies and herbal medicine companies in Brazil and Argentina, evaluating according to pharmacopoeia parameters and/or current Brazilian regulations. The information described on the packages, the average weight and RSD of capsules and tablets, microscopic and macroscopic analysis of their content, as well as the phytochemical profile by TLC and the contents of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids were evaluated. In this study, six herbal products based on G. biloba (5 Brazilian and 1 Argentine), three based on M. recutita (all Brazilian), and five based on Passiflora incarnata (4 Brazilian and 1 Argentine) were analyzed. It was observed that all samples did not contain the name of the prescriber and of these, in 21.42% the dosage was missing and 21.42% were outside the acceptable range of mean weight and RSD. As for the quality of these products, 28.57% of them may have been defrauded for sophistication and in 7.14% no bioactive compounds were detected. The results showed a still existing negligence in relation to herbal products. This study shows a failure in quality assurance of raw materials and in herbal product development. This deficiency can increase the adulteration rate of these products, compromising the effectiveness and safety of natural products.