Traceability of chemicals from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. f. in raw honey and the potential synergistic effects of honey on acute toxicity induced by celastrol and triptolide.

The object of this study was to trace TwHf-derived toxins in raw honey and clarify their acute toxic effect related to the addition of honey or sugars. TwHf flowers, raw honey from TwHf planting base and from beekeepers in high-risk area were detected using LC-MS/MS. The results revealed five target toxins were detected in TwHf flowers; only celastrol was detected in one raw honey sample, as a food safety risk factor, celastrol had been traced back to TwHf flowers from raw honey. In a series of acute toxic tests on zebrafish, toxification effects were observed when honey, mimic honey or sugar was mixed with toxins. The degree of toxicity varied among various sugar-based solutions. At the same mass concentration, they follow this order: raw honey/mimic honey > glucose > fructose. The main toxic target organs of triptolide and celastrol with honey were the heart and liver. [Display omitted] • A method combining QuEChERS with LC-MS/MS traced five suspicious toxins in large-scale raw honey samples. • Celastrol was linked to the flower of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.(TwHf). • Mimic honey, a natural deep eutectic solvent, was firstly used to explore the interaction between honey and target toxins. • Honey, mimic honey, glucose and fructose all had synergistic effects on acute toxicity induced by triptolide or celastrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]