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Pharmaco-Chemical Analysis and in Vivo Toxicity Assays of Edible Clays Mined in Nigeria and Consumed Globally

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Joy I. Odimegwu Open the ORCID record for Joy I. Odimegwu [Opens in a new window] ,
Florence E. Nkemehule ,
Esther Jane-Sharon Eke ,
Jumoke Okunnuga ,
Aminat Omolara Buhari ,
Sarah Ngozichukwu Okwuegbuna  and
Chidinma Romanda Duru
Joy I. Odimegwu*
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Florence E. Nkemehule
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Esther Jane-Sharon Eke
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Jumoke Okunnuga
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Aminat Omolara Buhari
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Sarah Ngozichukwu Okwuegbuna
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Chidinma Romanda Duru
Affiliation:
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
*
*E-mail address of corresponding author: jodimegwu@unilag.edu.ng
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Abstract

Edible clays are consumed by diverse groups of people, especially of African descent, living in Africa and abroad, in a behavior known as geophagy. The clays are used topically as an emollient and drying agent and internally to control diarrhea. Scientific information concerning the chemical constituents and toxicity of edible clays is scarce. The aims of the present study, therefore, were to ascertain the chemical composition of white edible clays (WEC) and gray edible clays (GEC); to determine their toxicity profiles using analytical chemical methods; to test the acute and sub-acute toxicity of edible clays in their natural form as consumed; and to compare the raw and processed clays, and also to compare the latter to a proprietary drug known as ‘Mist kaolin’ (Moko®) which contains some clay along with other chemicals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to determine the elements present. White female Wistar mice and rats were used for the acute and sub-acute toxicity analyses, respectively. The results from AAS showed the presence of heavy metals and metalloids in both GEC and WEC, and the GC/MS revealed the presence of contaminants such as indomethacin and ethyl benzene, but quantities were below human toxicity levels. Doses of 100–500 mg/kg of either clay type could be harmful to the digestive system, but all of the tests revealed that edible clay is not toxic to humans unless very large amounts (500–1000 mg/kg of body weight) are consumed.

Keywords

Acute ToxicityAtomic Absorbance SpectroscopyGas ChromatographyMass SpectrometryGray Edible ClaysTraditional Medicine
Type
Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 69 , Issue 2 , April 2021 , pp. 155 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © Clay Minerals Society 2021

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