Investigation of Water-Soluble Preservatives in Frequently Used Energy-Stimulating Herbal Drugs in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

Abstract

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is on the rise. Patients are turning to herbal drugs as an alternative to allopathic therapy or are drawn towards natural alternatives. However, there are concerns about the safety of these medications. An effort was made to determine the level of two commonly used water-soluble preservatives, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate in 54 finished energy-stimulating herbal preparations. Maceration-assisted UV- Vis spectrometry was adopted for determining the analytes in bulk and finished formulations. Concern about harmful effects on human health has been raised after 5% of samples were found to be risky for oral ingestion of sodium benzoate. If ingested exceeding the prescribed daily dose, the high concentration of potassium sorbate in some formulations raises concerns regarding daily consumption. To assess the preservative levels in herbal medicines, more laboratory-based studies are required.

Keywords

• Erectile dysfunction, Energy-stimulating herbal preparations, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Health risk.