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The application of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) to the analysis of soil and biological materials was reviewed in 1982 for this book series (Soltanpour et aI., 1982). Over the last 14 yr many studies in soil science have incorporated data obtained on ICP-AES instrumentation, and many advances in the ICP-AES field have been made. In addition, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has become commercially available. The purpose of this chapter is to review basic ICP principles; highlight some of the applications of ICP-AES in the study of soils; and present an overview of some of the instrumental features, capabilities, and limitations of the ICP-MS for application to soil science work. Relatively new developments in ICP-AES include: suspension nebulization analysis of clays (Laird et aI., 1991); interfacing ICP spectrometers with flow injection analyzers for automatic dilution, calibration, separation, concentration, standard additions and many other operations (Greenfield, 1983; LaFemiere et aI., 1985); interfacing ICP-AES with liquid chromatographs for concentration and speciation of elements (Roychowdhury & Koropchack, 1990); high salt neulizers to prevent clogging of nebulizers (Legere & Burgener, 1985); successful use of concentration and elimination or reduction of spectral interference techniques such as chelation/solvent extraction (Huang & Wai, 1986;

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Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) has been used as a food spice, cosmetic, and in traditional medicine formulations to treat asthma and diabetes in South America and Southern Europe. Hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is used in traditional Chinese medicine in the form of a tea to treat hypertension and inflammation. In the present study, we examined the synergistic effects of a formula of Metabolaid® (MetA), a combination of lemon verbena and hibiscus-flower extracts, on obesity and its complications in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The results showed that MetA decreased body weight, white adipose tissue (WAT), and liver weight. Additionally, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, glucose levels, glucose tolerance, and cold-induced thermogenesis were significantly improved. Appetite-regulating hormones adiponectin and leptin were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, while the inflammatory-related factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were downregulated by MetA. Adipogenesis-activating gene expression was decreased, while increased thermogenesis-inducing genes were upregulated in the WAT, correlating with increased phosphorylation of AMPK and fatty-acid oxidation in the liver. Taken together, these results suggest that MetA decreased obesity and its complications in HFD mice. Therefore, this formula may be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications.