PJB-2018-180
HEAVY METALS DETERMINATION IN SELECTED HERBAL MEDICINES- A CASE STUDY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN
Saeeda Yousaf
Abstract
Herbal medicines are used worldwide without knowing their detrimental effects. One type of contamination in these medicines is the heavy metals occurrence and hence this study was design to find out the concentration of heavy metals in the collected herbal medicines in the Peshawar, Pakistan. Heavy metals concentration was determined in herbal medicines such as Alfalfa, Asoka Cordial, Baby Flu, Baby Tonic, Bella Donna (30), Brotux, Bryonia, Crataegus, Dorena, Euphrasia, Gas Pass, Khoonsafi, Kidnevina, Liver Tonic, Naph Kid, Nux Vomica (20), Nux Vomica (30), Osteo Strong, Surkhana, and Teething 21. These heavy metals include lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) concentrations. In some herbal medicines the heavy metals concentration exceeds the WHO levels. Heavy metals were determined with the help of Atomic absorption spectrophotometer in the herbal medicines. Statistical difference (p<0.05) was found in these medicines. The levels of Ag, Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, and Cu were found below the acceptable levels. Ni concentrations of Asoka Cordial (0.7 mg/L), Crataegus (1.90 mg/L), Kidnevina (2.90 mg/L), Teething 21 (3.30 mg/L), Surkhana (5.30 mg/L), Khoonsafi (3.60 mg/L), Baby Flu (5.50 mg/L), and NuxVomica (6.60 mg/L); levels of Zn for Bella Donna (30) (17.90 mg/L); Fe levels of Baby Flu (35.60 mg/L) exceed the WHO acceptable limits. Some herbal medicines contained high amounts of heavy metals and their utilization in the body may result the Ni, Fe, and Zn accumulation. The general population ought to know about the dangers related to herbal medicines.
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