[Safety evaluation of realgar-and cinnabar-containing traditional Chinese medicine]

Realgar (90% of AS4S4) and cinnabar (96% of HgS) have been used in traditional Chinese medicines for thousands of years. Both arsenic and mercury are well-known for toxic effects and the safety of realgar-and cinnabar-containing traditional Chinese medicines is of concern. It is considered that any intentional use of known toxic metals in medicine is an unacceptable risk, while an opposing opinion presumes that realgar and cinnabar have clear pharmacological action with tolerable side effects. This review summarized the progress of toxicological study on realgar-and cinnbar-containing traditional Chinese medicines.