GC-MS Analysis of Smokeless tobacco (Shamma): Toxicological Evaluation

BackgroundSmoking is a badly addictive habit due to nicotine contents in tobacco. Shammah is one way of smokeless tobacco that is homely made and it use resulting in multiple medical issues. AimThe aim of the present study were to chemically analyze the content of various types of Shammah using GC-MS analysis with clinical biochemical investigation of some cases usually used shamma in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. MethodsThree samples from two main different types of shamma (black and yellow) were collected from local providers and analyzed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Eighteen blood samples were also collected from apparently healthy male peoples (30-45 years) classified into 3 groups; group 1 (control) people who doesnt smoke or use any type of shamma, second and third groups were people who usually used black and yellow shamma respectively; CBC and biochemical analysis were performed. ResultsIn GC-MS Analysis, the nicotine represents the major constituent in all samples. Total RBCs count, Hemoglobin (HGB) Conc., eosinophil % and iron, total cholesterol, HDL-c concentrations were significantly decreased in peoples using either black or yellow shamma whereas serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzyme activities, BUN and creatinine levels were significantly increases. ConclusionDifferent shamma samples contains different concentrations of various toxic compounds that can produced a serious health problems as hypochromic anemia due to iron deficiency, decrease in eosinophil %, with hepatic and renal cell injuries detected as increase ALT, AST, ALP, BUN, and creatinine levels.