Medicinal herbs: A potential source of toxic metal exposure for man and animals in India

摘要: To explore the possibility of translocation heavy metals into humans and animals, authors studied 28 commonly used medicinal plants estimated their metal content. The plant materials were collected from same sources by traditional healers commercial drug manufacturers. identified, authenticated, processed for analysis toxic metals. Lead cadmium levels in leaf, stem bark, root, or seeds, depending on value portion. an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine mean lead concentration medical herbs ranged between 2.624 ppm (standard deviation = 0.426) 32.757 0.124 ppm), 0.056 0.002) 0.419 0.006). Interestingly, concentrations (i.e., cadmium) higher leaf than bark roots, lowest values recorded seeds. No published reports permissible level India have come authors' attention; therefore, it was difficult role drug-induced health hazards. However, presence different led conclusion that prolonged consumption such may be detrimental health.