Addressing the Challenge of Potentially Hazardous Elements in the Reduction of Hypertension, Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease in the Caribbean

Background. Environmental surveys have characterized trace elements such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) as potential risk factors for non-communicable diseases. There have been few studies conducted in the Caribbean region to explore, define or clarify such findings locally. Furthermore, local pollution control efforts are often juxtaposed against more seemingly immediate economic concerns in poor communities. Objectives. The present commentary is a call to action for the evaluation of potentially hazardous elements as potential risk indicators and/or factors of common noncommunicable diseases in the Caribbean. Discussion. Findings from Jamaican studies have identified exposure to potentially hazardous elements (PHE) via water, food, and other anthropogenic activities to the detriment of the resident population. Several attempts have been made to abate toxic metal exposure in children with relative success. However, high levels of PHE have been noted in vulnerable populations such as patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Currently, there is low priority towards infrastructure building within the Caribbean region that would promote and sustain long term monitoring and better inform environmental polices impacting chronic diseases. Conclusions. Further investigations are needed to clarify the role that PHE play in increasing the risk or progression of non-communicable diseases, especially in vulnerable groups. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Bioextracts of Lavandula pedunculata growing in São Domingos mine: a natural source of added-value compounds

<p>Some autochthones plant species with aromatic and medicinal properties are able to naturally colonize contaminated soils from mining areas from Iberian Pyrite Belt contributing to their rehabilitation. A study was carried out in order to characterize and valorise an autochthones species, which has adequate ecophysiological behaviours for phytostabilization of mining areas, as new sources of bioactive substances. The main aims of this study were to: i) characterise the phytochemical profile of the bioextracts from shoots of L. pedunculata growing in soils from São Domingos mining area and a control area; and ii) evaluate the influence of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) accumulated in the shoots on the quality of the bioextracts.</p><p>Composite samples of soils, developed on mine wastes and/or host rocks, as well as C Lavandula pedunculata shoots were collected in São Domingos mine (Iberian pyrite Belt, SE of Portugal) and in a reference area with non-contaminated soils and the same climatic conditions. Classical characterisation of soils and total concentrations of potentially hazardous elements in soils and plant shoots were determined. The bioextracts from Lavandula pedunculata shoots were obtained by an accelerated solvent extractor, and the compounds were analysed by GC-MS. Extracts were extracted with hexane and major components were quantified.</p><p>The total concentrations of some potentially hazardous elements (e.g. As, Cu, Pb and Zn) were higher in soils from São Domingos than in reference area. However, soils from São Domingos are considered as contaminated with As, Cu, Pb and Sb for agriculture and residential/parkland uses. Concentrations of the PHEs (excepted Cr and Mn) in the shoots collected in São Domingos mine were higher than in the non-contaminated area</p><p>In the L. pedunculata extracts, obtained in the single extraction with hexane, were identified 34 compounds accounting between 79 and 89 % of the total identified compounds. Camphor was the major component in all extracts but Fenchone, eucalyptol, verbenone, bornyl acetate, borneol and linalool oxide cis also showed considerable amounts. All these compounds present economic interest. Some variation was obtained in the qualitative composition of the L. pedunculata extracts but, in general, it was not clear the differentiation between populations and, consequently, soil contamination level and concentrations of the potentially hazardous elements in shoots. Environmental rehabilitation of mining areas from Iberian Pyrite Belt with this species can provide economic valorisation by the exploration of this plant-based product for fragrance and pharmaceutical industries.</p><p>Acknowledgment: This research was supported by Portuguese funds, through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the scope of the project UID/AGR/04129/202, and Xunta de Galicia (GRC2014/003).</p>