The concentrations of 18 different elements (K, Ca, Fe, Cl, P, Zn, S, Mn, Ti, Cr, Rb, Co, Br, Sr, Ru, Si, Ni, and Cu) were analyzed in five selected vegetables through Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The objective of this study was to provide updated information on concentrations of elements in vegetables available in the local markets at Savar subdistrict in Bangladesh. These elements were found in varying concentrations in the studied vegetables. The results also indicated that P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn were found in all vegetables. Overall, K and Ca exhibited the highest concentrations. Cu and Ni exhibited the lowest concentrations in vegetables. The necessity of these elements was also evaluated, based on the established limits of regulatory standards. The findings of this study suggest that the consumption of these vegetables is not completely free of health risks.

Zizyphus rugosa Lam (Z. rugosa Lam) (Family: Rhamnaceae), has been regarded as a food and medicinal plant. It is locally known as ''Bon Boroi'' or as ''Jongli Boroi'' in Bangladesh. Its stem, roots and fruits are used medicinally for the treatment of carbuncle, syphilis, menorrhea, and ulcer tongue. It is also used for dysentery in Laos, Burma, Thailand, China (Hainan, Yunnan), Sri-Lanka and Vietnam. The present study was designed to investigate antioxidant properties (through in vitro method) as well as brine shrimp lethality and phytochemical group evaluation of stem part of Z. rugosa Lam extracted with different solvents i.e. from non polar to polar (petroleum ether [ ethyl acetate [ ethanol [ methanol [ water). Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, glycosides and carbohydrates which provides evidence on good to moderate antioxidant and good lethality properties of the subjected plant. Ethyl acetate extract of stem was found to contain the highest amount of phenols (97.188 ± 12.816 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and flavonoids (15.009 ± 0.385 mg/g quercetin equivalent). In 2,2-diphenyl,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, among all the extracts ethanolic stem extract showed the highest scavenging property (IC 50 83.550 lg/ml) whereas standard drug ascorbic acid showed (IC 50 18.348 lg/ml). But in nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay maximum scavenging of NO was found with water extract of stem (IC 50 5.975 lg/ml) comparatively similar to standard ascorbic acid (IC 50 5.934 lg/ml). Methanolic stem extract was found to contain the greater reducing power in reducing power capacity assessment (correlation coefficient r = 0.99 and P \ 0.001). In brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) among all extracts, ZSM part showed good activity (LC 50 40.43 lg/ml) whereas standard anticancer drug vincristine sulphate showed high toxicity (LC 50 2.48 lg/ml). The overall findings provide scientific basis for the use of Z. rugosa Lam stem extracts in traditional medicine in the treatment of aforementioned diseases. Hence, the stem may serve as a new potential source of medication.

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