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49 Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, April, 2013, 1 (1): 49-53 Abstract - Eleven elements (K, Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Br, Rb and Zr) were determined by using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) in selected Sudanese medicinal plants namely; Ambrosia maritime L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Cymbopogon proximus (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf, Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori, Hydnora johannis Becca, Lepidium sativum L., Nauclea latifolia Smith, Peperomia pellucida L., Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karsten. G . tenax has the highest concentration of Ca (8107 ppm), Br (33 ppm), Rb (19.9 ppm), Zn (18.11 ppm) and Cu (15.9 ppm). The highest concentration of K (15451 ppm) and Fe (1426 ppm) was found in H . johannis . The highest concentration of Cr (13.10 ppm) and Ni (7.6 ppm) was found in C . proximus . A . maritima and B . aegyptiaca had the highest concentration of Mn (10.6 ppm) and Zr (8.2 ppm) respectively. Such information could be helpful in standardization of herbal products since the Sudanese medicinal plants play an important role in maintenance of human health. Index Terms - Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence, mineral content, Sudanese medicinal plants I. I NTRODUCTION Due to their minor side effects, the medicinal plants are widely used to treat many human diseases [1, 2]. The human body needs a number of minerals in order to maintain good health [3, 4]. Macro- and microelements influence biochemical processes in the human organism. Active constituents of medicinal plants i.e. metabolic products of plant cells and a number of mineral elements play an important role in the metabolism [5]. Some mineral elements remain chelated with organic ligands and make them bioavailable to the body system [6]. Vartika and co-workers concluded that the medicinal values of some plant species used in homoepathic system may be due to the presence of Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, K and Zn [7]. These elements also take part in neurochemical transmission and serve as constituents of biological molecules and in a variety of different metabolic processes [8]. Determination of mineral elements in plants is very important since the quality of many foods and medicines depends upon the content and type of minerals [9]. Malnutrition is of major concern for many tropical developing countries. Deficiency or excess of elements may cause a number of disorders. For example, Iron deficiency anemia affects one third of the world population [10, 11]. Low levels of Zn can induce the pathogenesis of lung cancer [12]. Breast cancer patients had low levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in their hair [13]. Therefore, it is of major interest to establish the levels of some metallic elements in common used plants because, at elevated levels, these metals could be dangerous and toxic [14, 15]. Determination of metals in medicinal plants is a part of quality control to establish their purity, safety and efficacy according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [16]. Although several attempts have been reported for determination of metal contents of medicinal and aromatic plants from all over the world [17], reports of plants growing in the Sudan are scanty. Most of the medicinal plants were used after soaking in water and thus only this water extract is taken for the cure of disease. However, some are taken as a whole in the form of powder mixed with milk, honey and yoghurt or eaten as a fruit. So this study aimed to determine the concentration of some micro- and macro elements in selected medicinal plants extensively used in the preparation of herbal products in the Sudan. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS a. Plant materials Ten commercial plant species namely; Ambrosia maritima Elemental Analysis of Ten Sudanese Medicinal Plants Using X-ray Fluorescence Sakina Yagi 1 , Alia E. Abd Rahman 1 , Gihan O.M. ELhassan 1 , Abdelhafeez M.A. Mohammed 2 * 1 Sakina. M. Yagi., Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, PO Box 321, Khartoum, Sudan. 1 Alia E. Abd Rahman, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, PO Box 321, Khartoum, Sudan. 1 Gihan O.M. ELhassan, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, PO Box 321, Khartoum, Sudan. * Abdelhafeez M.A. Mohammed. Department of Chemistry, Alzaiem Alazhari University, PO Box 1432, Khartoum North, Sudan (
[email protected]). (Received: February 28, 2013 ; Accepted : March 15, 2013 ) 50 Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, April, 2013, 1 (1): 49-53 L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Cymbopogon proximus (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf, Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori, Hydnora johannis Becca, Lepidium sativum L., Nauclea latifolia Smith, Peperomia pellucida L., Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karsten) were purchased from the local markets in Omdurman city of the Sudan. Botanical identification and authentication were performed at Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan. The identities, parts used and medicinal uses of the investigated plants were shown in Table 1 . b. Samples preparation Samples were washed with deionized water and allowed to dry in an oven at 65 0 C for 48h. 0.50 g of each plant sample was accurately weighed then ground with a Wiley mill for 3 min and sieved through a 0.5 mm diameter sieve supplied with the mill. The powdered plant sample was pressed to a pellet of 25 mm diameter and 1.0g mass using a 25 ton hydraulic press. c. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analyses EDXRF analysis of the pellets was performed using an ARL Quant’X spectrometer. This system comprises three main units: the sample chamber, the X-ray excitation and X-ray detect ion subsystems. The Quant’ X system includes the following functional components: an aluminum or a cellulose X-ray filter, a Rh-anode X-ray tube with an operational range between 8 and 12 KV and a current intensity between 0.32-0.34 mA. Emergent X-rays are detected by a Si (Li) detector cooled with nitrogen. Accurate energy and efficiency calibrations of the spectrometer were made using a standard source supplied by the International Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria. The spectrum acquisition time was 120 s for each sample and the dead time was around 50%. Treatments of the data were performed by using the WINTRACE software version 4.1 build 9. Triplicate experiments were performed for each plant sample. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Knowledge of the elemental content in medicinal plants is very important since many trace elements play significant roles in the formation of active constituents responsible for the curative properties. Moreover, some of these elements are vitally important for various metabolic processes in the human body. They are closely linked to human growth and general health [18]. In this study, a total of eleven elements (K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Br, Rb and Zr) were determined in the powdered medicinal plant samples by using EDXRF. The mean concentrations of various metals in the plant samples were shown in Table 2 . The current study revealed that all the metals were accumulated to greater or lesser extents by all ten investigated plant species. Elemental studies of the plants showed that they contained large amounts of nutrients and were rich in K and Ca. The high concentration of potassium in plants is needed for many essential processes including enzyme activation, photosynthesis, water use efficiency, starch formation and protein synthesis. Potassium participates actively in the maintenance of the cardiac rhythm [19] and in constipation. Concentrations of potassium were in the range 399-15451 ppm. Three samples have concentrations ranging from 399 to 974 ppm and five samples in the range 1139-3061 ppm. H . johannis (15451 ppm) had the highest K concentration followed by G . tenax (8120 ppm). Ca is the main constituent of the skeleton and is important for regulating many vital cellular activities such as nerve and muscle function, hormonal actions, blood clotting and cellular mortality. Calcium concentrations were in the range 200-8107 ppm. Four samples have concentrations in the range 200-326 ppm and four samples in the range 1050-3059 ppm. G . tenax had the highest Ca concentration (8107 ppm) whereas L . sativum had the lowest (200 ppm). Manganese concentration level ranged from 0.57 to 10.6 ppm and most samples being in the 2.06-4.7 ppm range. A . maritima had the highest Mn concentration and H . johannis had the lowest. Deficiency of Mn in human causes myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases, also disorder of bony cartilaginous growth in infants and children and may lead to immunodeficiency disorder and rheumatic arthritis in adults [20]. Iron is an essential element for human beings and animals and is an essential component of hemoglobin. It facilitates the oxidation of carbohydrates, protein and fat to control body weight, which is very important factor in diabetes. The Fe concentrations varied from 29 to 1426 ppm. Four samples have concentrations ranging from 29 to 65 ppm, other five samples in the range 150 – 590 ppm. H . johannis had the highest Fe concentration followed by A . maritime , and P . pellucida respectively. L . sativum had the lowest Fe concentration. According to FAO/WHO, the concentration of Fe in H . johannis was found to exceed the maximum permissible limit [21]. However, previous study [22] showed that H . johannis dried roots and ethanol extract induced toxic effect in rats and they suggested that, the apparent lack of clinical signs of acute toxicities in human when administered the extract orally, may be a reflection of the low dose administration as well as short duration of exposure. Moreover, the root was rich in tannins [23] suggesting that iron can be found chelated with tannic acid and this subsequent chelation may be eliminated faster from the body as compared to non-chelated iron [24]. Nevertheless, the safety of this plant in the traditional medicine should be verified by much further testing, including in vivo experiments and clinical studies. Copper is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin, myelin, collagen and melanin [12]. Cu concentrations varied from 1.0 to 15.9 ppm, with values frequently in the range 1.4-1.6 ppm. G . tenax had the highest Cu concentration and C . proximus had the lowest. Chromium is important in the utilization of glucose. According 51 Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, April, 2013, 1 (1): 49-53 to Perry [25], Cr, Mg and Zn have important roles in the metabolism of cholesterol as well as heart diseases. The presence of Cr and Mn in plants may be correlated with therapeutic properties against diabetic and cardiovascular diseases [25]. The toxic effects of Cr intake is skin rash, nose irritations, bleeds, upset stomach, kidney and liver damage, nasal itch and lungs cancer. Cr deficiency is characterized by disturbance in glucose lipids and protein metabolism [26]. The daily intake of Cr 0.05-0.20 mg has been recommended for adults by US National Academy of Sciences [27]. The Cr concentrations varied from 1.98 to 13.10 ppm, most samples being in the 7.31-10.3 ppm range. C. proximus had the highest Cr concentration whereas, H. johannis had the lowest. Zinc is the component of more than 270 enzymes [28] and its deficiency in the organism is accompanied by multisystem dysfunction. Besides, Zn is responsible for sperm manufacture, fetus development and proper function of immune response [29]. The Zn concentrations varied from 1.43 to 18.11 ppm. G . tenax had the highest Zn concentration and P . pellucida had the lowest. Nickel concentrations varied from 0.51 to 7.6 ppm, most samples having concentrations between 0.51 and 0.72 ppm. C . proximus had the highest Ni concentration whereas, S . obtusifolia had the lowest. Although Ni is required in minute quantity for body as it is mostly present in the pancreas and hence plays an important role in the production of insulin. Its deficiency results in the disorder of liver [30] and the daily intake shouldn’t exceed 1.0 mg since beyond this level is toxic [26]. Bromine is considered as a non-essential element for living organisms [31]. The concentrations of this element varied from 0.14 to 33 ppm. Most samples have concentrations between 1.45 and 6.45 ppm. G . tenax had the highest Br concentration and L . sativum had the lowest. Rubidium is also considered as non-essential element for human organism [32]. Rubidium concentrations varied from 0.43 to 19.9 ppm. Most samples have concentrations in the range 0.43-2.43 ppm. G . tenax had the highest Rb concentration followed by H. johannis and L. sativum had the lowest. Finally, the Zirconium concentrations were in the range 0.10-8.2 ppm. Most samples being in the 0.10-1.84 ppm range. B. aegyptiaca had the highest Zr concentration and L. sativum had the lowest. IV. CONCLUSION In view of the above facts, the medicinal plants studied are a source of biologically important elements, which may play part in the observed therapeutic properties of these plants. Moreover, with the exception of Fe concentration in H. johannis , all of the detected values for metallic elements in plants studied here are below the WHO permissible levels and may not constitute a health hazard for consumers. A CKNOWLEDGMENT The authors wish to thank Dr. Manal Alhakim at Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan, for identification of the plant samples. 52 Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, April, 2013, 1 (1): 49-53 Table 1: Name, family, part studied and medicinal properties of the investigated plants # L = leaves, Lf = fermented leaves, F = fruits, S = stem, Sb = stem bark, R = roots Table 2: Total content of elements in plant samples (in ppm; n= 3) Plant name K Ca Mn Fe Cu Cr Zn Ni Br Rb Zr Ambrosia maritima 3061±13 1050±12 10.6±0.3 590±1 2.7±0.1 9.51±0.2 5.65±0.2 0.7±0.01 5.65 ± 0.6 2.43 ± 0.6 3.18 ± 0.8 Balanites aegyptiaca 1358±11 1993±9 3.0±0.6 160±1 1.6±0.3 10.3±0.2 1.88±0.1 0.72±0.03 1.45±0.4 1.46±0.1 8.20±1 Cymbopogon proximus 399±8 326±7.5 3.56±0.8 150±3 1±0.5 13.3±0.6 7.28±1 7.60±0.2 2.26±1 0.64±0.6 1.84±0.1 Grewia tenax 8120±14 8107±9 4.7±0.2 200±4 15.9±1 8.84±0.2 18.11±0.5 3.77±0.6 33.00±2 19.90±3 0.38±0.05 Hydnora johannis 15451±12 3059±9 0.57±0.01 1426±8 9.79±1 1.98±0.3 15.5±2 3.54±0.2 6.45±1 17.35±0.1 0.68±0.01 Lepidium sativum 1139±9 200±2 2.06±0.1 29±1 8.1±0.5 6.63±0.2 5.85±0.6 0.69±0.0.3 0.14±0.1 0.43±0.6 0.10±0.05 Nauclea latifolia 974±8 299±1 2.2±0.2 39±2 1.5±0.3 3.95±0.6 1.69±0.2 0.52±0.08 1.46±0.6 1.74±0.3 0.32±0.05 Peperomia pellucid 1236±11 258±2 6.88±0.8 270±6 1.4±0.1 7.5±0.2 1.43±0.1 0.55±0.03 1.52±0.8 1.97±0.6 0.98±0.01 Senna obtusifolia 1297±9 2846±6 4.12±0.4 65±1 1.6±03 7.31±0.6 3.76±0.2 0.51±0.02 3.29±0.7 0.9±0.7 0.78±0.01 Tamarix aphylla 677±5 925±8 2.8±0.1 46±1 1.6±0.3 7.32±0.6 2.95±0.5 0.69±0.01 16.4±0.6 0.74±0.01 0.27±0.04 Plant name (Local name) Family Part used # Medicinal uses Ambrosia maritima (Damesisa) Asteraceae L Anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive Balanites aegyptiaca (Heglig, Laloub ) Balanitaceae F Laxative, anthelmintic Cymbopogon proximus (Mahareb) Poaceae L Gout, renal colic, helminthiasis Grewia tenax (Guddeim) Tiliaceae F Malaria and ion- deficiency anaemia Hydnora johannis (Tartous) Hydnoraceae R Dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera Lepidium sativum (Hab Elrashad) Brassicaceae S Rapid bone fracture healing Nauclea latifolia (Karmadoda) Rubiaceae F Headache, cough, antihypertensive Peperomia pellucida (Shaw makadah) Piperaceae F Anthelmintic Senna obtusifolia (Kawal) Fabaceae Lf Jaundice Tamarix aphylla (Tarfaa) Tamaricaceae Sb Hepatitis, eczema, wound, abscesses 53 Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, April, 2013, 1 (1): 49-53 R EFERENCES [1] Basgel, S. and Erdemoğlu, S. 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