Determination of heavy metal contents by atomic absorption spectroscopy [AAS] in some medicinal plants from Pakistani and Malaysian origin

This study depicts a profile of existence of heavy metals [Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, Mn, Fe, Na, Ca, and Mg] in some important herbal plants like [H. Integrifolia, D. regia, R. communis, C. equisetifolia, N. oleander, T. populnea, M. elengi, H. schizopetalus, R pterocarpum] from Pakistan and an antidiabetic Malaysian herbal drug product containing [Punica granatum L. [Mast] Hook, Momordica charantia L., Tamarindus indica L., Lawsonia inermis L.] using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metals in these herbal plants and Malaysian product were in the range of 0.02-0.l0ppm of Cu, 0.00-0.02ppm of Ni, 0.02-0.29ppm of Zn, 0.00-0.04ppm of Cd, 0.00-1.33ppm of Hg, 0.00-0.54ppm of Mn, 0.22-3.16ppm of Fe, 0.00-9.17ppm of Na, 3.27-15.63ppm of Ca and 1.85-2.03ppm of Mg. All the metals under study were within the prescribed limits except mercury. Out of 10 medicinal plants/product under study 07 were beyond the limit of mercury permissible limits. Purpose of this study is to determine heavy metals contents in selected herbal plants and Malaysian product, also to highlight the health concerns related to the presence of toxic levels of heavy metals

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide with oily vehicles in dental treatment

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide with oily vehicles against aerobes and facultative anaerobic microorganisms commonly isolated from infected root canals. Experimental Study. This study was conducted in the Department of pharmacology, University of Karachi from April 2009 to March 2011. The microbial strains were evaluated against calcium hydroxide pastes prepared with calcium hydroxide powder mixed with oily vehicles. Antimicrobial activity of the vehicles was also evaluated. For such purpose agar diffusion and broth dilution method were used. The results showed that calcium hydroxide mixed with oily vehicles was inhibitory against all the microbial strain tested. Calcium hydroxide pastes eliminated the Enterococcus faecalis [the most resistant organism in infected root canals] as well as other microorganisms effectively and the oily vehicles have also inherent antibacterial properties. We concluded from our study that although calcium hydroxide when mixed with oily vehicles can eliminate the endodontic bacteria but such oily vehicles may be irritant to the periapical tissue. Therefore further studies should be done on their role as an intracanal medicine in different combinations with calcium hydroxide