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

ABSTRACT

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