Daily Dose Standardization Based on Essential and Nonessential Trace Element Presence in Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt Bark, Leaf, and Root

Abstract

Medicinal plants have great importance to the consumer health, as beside beneficial compounds, plants can accumulate essential and nonessential metals from soil and surrounding environments, leading to consumer health risks. Assuming this, the present study is aimed at evaluating the elemental composition and daily dose standardization based on essential and nonessential trace element presence in of bark, leaves, and roots of Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt, a common medicinal plant used as a folk medicine in the region. Atomic absorption and flame emission spectroscopy were performed to analyze the presence of essential and nonessential elements manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), and potassium (K). Among the essential elements, K was present at high concentrations in the bark ( 8926.98 ± 0.32 μ g / g ), leaves ( 7922.77 ± 0.42 μ g / g ), and roots ( 6668.5 ± 0.96 μ g / g ) of the plant. The estimated concentration of Na was higher in leaves ( 1782.56 ± 0.13 μ g / g ), followed by roots ( 1089.5 ± 0.71 μ g / g ) and bark ( 572.8 ± 0.62 μ g / g ). The Fe concentration varied in the range of 394.7 ± 0.3 μ g / g in bark, 1298.3 ± 0.54 μ g / g in leaves, and 1208.9 ± 0.7 μ g / g in roots. The trace transition element Mn was highest in leaves ( 42.7 ± 0.99 μ g / g ), followed by roots ( 33.5 ± 0.94 μ g / g ) and bark ( 22 ± 1 μ g / g ). The Cu concentration was low, ranging from 20.1 ± 0.63 to 22.67 ± 0.7 μ g / g in leaves, bark, and roots. The obtained concentration of nonessential element Pb was relatively lower than the permissible range (10 mgL–1) established by the World Health Organization. The elemental concentrations in all parts were within the set limits for provisional tolerable daily maximum intake (PTDMI) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), and the hazard quotient index (HQ) was below 1 for all toxic metals. The micro and macroelemental distribution and the overall medicinal potential of any medicinal plant can be correlated for dose risk estimation, which will be useful in providing knowledge regarding the contraindication associated with folk medicines. In the present study, based on the elemental composition, it was calculated that the daily safe dose for Berberis baluchistanica is approximately 2-5 g/day of raw powder for an adult, which must not be exceeded to this safe range.

Bio-Functional Potential and Biochemical Properties of Propolis Collected from Different Regions of Balochistan Province of Pakistan

“…Anemia is brought on by Fe deficiency, but excessive amounts harm body tissues. In general, iron is not thought to have negative health effects unless it is consumed in excessively high doses [ 14 , 16 ]. The currents findings were ranged from 355.17 μ g g −1 in P11 to 1331.46 μ g g −1 in P13, relatively higher than previous findings [ 38 ].…”

“…Manganese is good antioxidant and important for plant and animal growth. It is a low toxic element with considerable biological application, and its deficiency causes reproductive problems in mammals, and excessive amount leads to different lungs and brain diseases [ 14 , 16 ]. It helps in the synthesis and activation of many enzymes.…”

“…Nickel is present in RNA and DNA of human body where it functions in association with nucleic acids. Nickel shows carcinogenic side effects when taken in higher concentrations; however, its deficiency causes heart and liver problems [ 14 , 16 ]. Among all samples, lower Ni concentration was −5.92 ± 0.13 μ g g −1 in P1 and higher was 64.23 ± 0.4 μ g g −1 in P7, respectively.…”

“…Trace elements Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr analyses were carried out through atomic absorption Perkin Elmer 3110 spectrophotometer with hollow cathode lamps as radiation source operated at 5 mA at 393 and 279 nm wavelengths and acetylene air flame as fuel. Digestion of each sample was done according to a previously reported protocol [ 14 , 16 ]. Briefly, 0.5 g powder of each sample was taken, and 8 mL mixture of acids (5 mL nitric acid, 2 mL sulfuric acid, and 1 mL perchloric acid) was added.…”

High Throughput Screening for Bioactive Components of Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt Root and Their Functional Potential Assessment

“…Therapeutic plants have significant positive role in individual and communities health [ 1 , 2 ]. These plants and their components are traditionally in use for the treatment of many diseases such as fever, cough, internal injury, eye disease, removal of kidney stones, wound healing, rheumatism, and other infections of human beings and livestock [ 3 , 4 ]. Herbal medicines contain an intricate combination of various significant bioactive components such as alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, minerals, and vitamins.…”