Trace elements evaluation of some medicinal herbs by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Abstract

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been used for the analysis of seven varieties of medicinal herbs generally used by the people of South Asian region. Twenty-one trace elements (essential, toxic and non-essential) were determined. This data should not only be helpful in establishing the base-line values in these medicinal herbs but also in correlating their role as therapeutic agents. A comparison of our data with literature values shows variation in trace element contents of same species of different origin which can be attributed to ecological and geographical variations to some extent; however an exact interpretation demands further extensive investigations.

Analysis of essential elements in Pragya-peya—a herbal drink and its constituents by neutron activation

“…2 also show little variation in elemental contents of three batches (small range of ±10%) except for Fe, Mn, Ni and Hg, which vary in a wide range. Such variations may be attributed to soil and ecological variations under which the individual constituent herbs must have been grown [31,34]. Thus, our observations are in accordance with a recent study by Zaidi et al [31] where variation in elemental contents have been attributed to ecological and geographical variations.…”

“…Such variations may be attributed to soil and ecological variations under which the individual constituent herbs must have been grown [31,34]. Thus, our observations are in accordance with a recent study by Zaidi et al [31] where variation in elemental contents have been attributed to ecological and geographical variations. In the present study, all three samples were procured from the same source so that large variation due to different geographical origin is not expected.…”

“…Kist et al [30] determined 32 elements in five species of medicinal plants by NAA, proton activation analysis (PAA) and emission spectral analysis (ESA). In a recent study, Zaidi et al [31] have reported trace element evaluation of some medicinal herbs whereby variation in trace element contents of same species from different origin were attributed to ecological and geographical variations. Singh and Garg [32] determined 20 essential and toxic elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr and Zn) in Ayurvedic Indian medicinal herbs using INAA.…”

Analysis of Indian mint (Mentha spicata) for essential, trace and toxic elements and its antioxidant behaviour

“…Rajput et al [16] carried out a field experiment in subtropical climate of northern India to study the response of mint to application of six micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo). Recently, some Pakistani workers [17,18] have also analysed organic and inorganic constituents in field mint. Balaji et al [19] have analyzed a few essential elements in mint from southern parts of India.…”

Availability of Essential Elements in Nutrient Supplements Used as Antidiabetic Herbal Formulations

“…from different geographical regions. Elemental uptake by the plants depends on regional soil characteristics and climatic conditions [53].…”