Use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Detection of Glycemic Elements in Indian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

The demand for interdisciplinary research is increasing in the new millennium to help us understand complex problems and find solutions by integrating the knowledge from different disciplines. The present review is an excellent example of this and shows how unique combination of physics, chemistry, and biological techniques can be used for the evaluation of Indian medicinal herbs used for treating diabetes mellitus. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a sensitive optical technique that is widely used for its simplicity and versatility. This review presents the most recent application of LIBS for detection of glycemic elements in medicinal plants. The characteristics of matrices, object analysis, use of laser system, and analytical performances with respect to Indian herbs are discussed.

Hypoglycaemic activity of Mathurameha, a Thai traditional herbal formula aqueous extract, and its effect on biochemical profiles of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats

“…This might be due to the protection of nicotinamide against the hepatotoxic effects of STZ [62, 63]. Moreover, the significant decrease in the ALT levels in the 25 mg/kg aqueous extract treated group might be from the gluconeogenesis inhibitory effects of the extract [64]. Nevertheless, the serum ALP levels of the diabetic control group were significantly increased, indicating leakage from liver damage.…”

Comparison of ICP OES and LIBS Analysis of Medicinal Herbs Rich in Flavonoids from Eastern Europe

“…The advantage of this technique is that LIBS does not involve sophisticated and time-consuming sample preparation procedures and yet facilitates an enormous amount of spectral data with relatively high reproducibility. 8,9 It was used recently in the analysis of Indian medicinal plants to study the concentrations of glycemic elements, namely C, Ca and Mg levels in a spectral range between 200 to 500 nm. 9 The LIBS technique was also successfully applied in the elemental analysis of the Chinese medicinal herb Blumea balsamifera DC in order to detect similarities and variations in elemental composition based on C, Ca and Mg concentrations in samples originating from Hainan and Guizhou provinces.…”

“…8,9 It was used recently in the analysis of Indian medicinal plants to study the concentrations of glycemic elements, namely C, Ca and Mg levels in a spectral range between 200 to 500 nm. 9 The LIBS technique was also successfully applied in the elemental analysis of the Chinese medicinal herb Blumea balsamifera DC in order to detect similarities and variations in elemental composition based on C, Ca and Mg concentrations in samples originating from Hainan and Guizhou provinces. 10 LIBS has been applied in the study of several other materials including polymers, 11 electronic waste, 12-14 soils, 15 cosmetics, 16 and foods, 17 all of which have confirmed its high utility in fast qualitative and quantitative analysis of diverse elements.…”

Antidiabetic Naphthoquinones and Their Plant Resources in Thailand

“…125,126) The methanol extract (200 mg/kg) was also effective in normalizing the levels of mitochondrial (succinate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and liver (glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase) enzymes, as well as the glycogen level in diabetic rats. 127,128) Moreover, the same dose of methanol extract significantly normalized the level of liver function markers and protein contents in the liver tissue of diabetic rats. 128) The major phytoconstituents in R. nasutus are 1,4-naphthoquinone esters, namely rhinacanthins (Fig.…”