Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants are extensively used to cure diseases. However due to environmental pollution medicinal plant accumulate heavy metals which can cause adverse affect on animal and human health upon consumption. Hence chemical analysis of four heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Pb and Cd) was performed in nine medicinal plants (Adiantum capillus-veneris, Momordica charantia, Eugenia jambolana, Gymnema sylvestre, Allium sativum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Pongamia glabra, Sphaeranthus hirtus and Clerodendrum inerme) used as anti-hypoglycaemic agent. Highest level of chromium (5.434μg/g±3.50%) and cadmium (1.900μg/g±0.60%) was reported in Pongamia glabra and Eugenia jambolana respectively, exceeded the WHO Limits. Other two lethal metals Zn (18.90μg/g±2.00%) and Pb (1.607μg/g±0.16%) in Momordica charantia and Eugenia jambolana respectively were recorded in permissible limit. It is suggested that stringent quality control system should be put in place to check the heavy metal contamination for avoidance of health hazard and ensuring the safe consumption.