@article {1068, title = {Pharmacognostic Evaluations of Leaves and Rootback of Lophira lanceolata Tiegh. Ex Keay (False Shea)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {July 2022}, pages = {310-315}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {310}, abstract = {

Objectives: The present study sought to establish quality control parameters of a locally and ubiquitously occurring medicinal plant, Lophira lanceolata which is utilized as folk medicine among the local communities in Northern Nigeria as well as other regions, due to its therapeutic indication mainly as an aphrodisiac, among other uses. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostically, different types of evaluations were carried out that focuses on organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, chemical evaluations as well as heavy metal assessments using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results: Organoleptic and macroscopic studies revealed some features of the leaves as green and oblanceolate, pinnate venation, with an average leaf size length and width of 14-15 and 4-5 cm respectively. The root has a light pale-brown outer surface and a reddish-brown inner surface. The outer surface was soft and dry while the inner surface was moist and smooth. Leaf microscopy indicated the presence of anisocytic or cruciferous type of stomata while both the rootbark and leaves are not devoid of common ergastic cell contents of calcium oxalate, lignin, starch, protein and tannin. Phytochemical evaluations revealed abundance of phytoconstituent that are richly phenolic of the types of saponin, tannin, triterpenoid, flavonoid, glycosides, diterpenoids, alkaloid, steroid, anthraquinones and phenols etc. Physicochemical evaluations showed a good source of mineral content of carbohydrate (35.93 {\textpm} 1.9199 for leaves and 33.58 {\textpm} 1.6791 for rootbark), Ash (9.33 {\textpm} 0.4714 for leaves and 7.17 {\textpm} 0.2358 for rootbark) in the plant. Heavy metal analysis of the leaves and rootbark investigated for Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Mercury showed that their concentrations were within the WHO (2002) permissible limits. Conclusion: This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of the plant, Lophira lanceolata (False shea).

}, keywords = {Chloral hydrate, Evaluation, Heavy metals, Lophira lanceolata, Standardization, Stomata}, doi = {10.5530/pres.14.3.45}, author = {Mathias Sylvester Nefai and Adamu Aliyu Aliero and Waziri Altine Fakka and Bilkisu Umar Jaja} } @article {414, title = {Root Exudates of Cyperus alternifolius in Partial Hydroponic Condition under Heavy Metal Stress}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {July 2017}, pages = {294-300}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {294}, abstract = {

Secondary metabolites play a vital role in the treatment of various ailments as well as in phytoremediation. The link between secondary metabolites and phytoremediation needs exploration. Hitherto, no information is available regarding the phytochemical components that exist in the root exudates of Cyperus alternifolius. This study was designed to determine the phytocomponents in the root exudates of C. alternifolius under heavy metal stress. C. alternifolius was grown by a novel technique in partial hydroponic conditions and imperiled to a mixture of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Fe) at different concentrations. The root exudates were collected, freeze-dried, redissolved and reconstituted in hexane and analyzed in gas chromatography{\textendash}mass spectrometry using JEOL GCMATE II in SAIF IIT-Madras. The analysis revealed that the profile of phytochemicals in root exudates is diverse with biological properties. Few phytochemicals found in the root exudates are not cited earlier in any literature. The composition and percentage of phytochemicals could not be correlated to heavy metal concentration. Phytochemical composition decreased with an increase in heavy metal concentration. Control plant released more phytochemicals than the plants under heavy metal stress. From the results, it is evident that root exudates of C. alternifolius contain various bioactive components. Further research can be extended to evaluate the pharmaceutical importance of the species and explore its role in phytoremediation of heavy metals.

}, keywords = {Cyperus alternifolius, Gas chromatography{\textendash}mass spectrometry analysis, Heavy metals, Phytochemicals, Root exudates}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_107_16}, author = {Boopathy Usharani and , Namasivayam Vasudevan} } @article {630, title = {The Heavy Metal Contents of Some Selected Medicinal Plants Sampled from Different Geographical Locations}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {5}, year = {2013}, month = {April 2013}, pages = { 103-108}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {103}, abstract = {

Background:\ The levels of 5 minerals namely; lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and aluminum were assessed in 10 medicinal plants sampled from 5 different geographical locations to determine the effect of location on the plants{\textquoteright} mineral content.\ Materials and Methods:\ Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyzes, and content of the minerals per sample was expressed as μg/g. The levels of minerals were compared to their limit specification for herbs and daily total intake of these minerals. A two-way analysis of variance, which tends to look at the effect of the location and the medicinal plant itself on the plants mineral content, was used in the statistical analysis.\ Results:\ Lead (Pb) was present in all plant species examined, except\ Ocimum gratissimum. One plant exceeded the maximum safety limit for lead. Cadmium was also detected in some of the medicinal plant species (44\%) whilst majority were below the detection limit (0.002) representing 56\%. 40\% of the plant species exceeded the limit for cadmium. Mercury and arsenic in all the plant species were below the detection limit (0.001). Significant variation existed in mineral content for the various locations (\ P\ <= 0.05).\ Conclusion:\ The findings generally suggest the variation in mineral levels for the various locations. Thus, our study has shown that same species of medicinal plants, growing in different environments, accumulates different levels of heavy metals.

}, keywords = {Geographical Locations, Heavy metals, Medicinal plants, Minerals}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.110539 }, author = {Kofi Annan and Rita A Dickson and Isaac K Amponsah and Isaac K Nooni} } @article {642, title = {Comparative Analysis on the Effect of Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis) in Reducing Cadmium and Lead Accumulation in Liver of Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {October ,2012}, pages = {214-218}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {214}, abstract = {

Context: Palm oil from Elaeis guineensis is an edible nutrient substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We examined its protective effect against lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the liver. Materials and Methods: 12\% w/w of palm oil (PO) in rat chow concentrate was fed to rats exposed to Cd (200ppm) and Pb (100ppm) in drinking water at different feeding regimens. PO was administered either at the same time with the metals (group 2), post-treatment after exposure (group 3) or pre-treatment before exposure (group 4) for six weeks. The heavy metal accumulations in the liver were determined using AAS. Results: Weight losses induced by these metals were significantly (P\<0.05) reversed by PO administration. Analysis among the groups showed that post-treatment group had a significant (P\<0.05) higher percentage protection to Cd, but same time treatment for Pb (P\<0.05) when compared with other groups. The protective ability to PO was only significantly (P\<0.05) increased for Pb at week 2, but showed a time-dependent significant (P\<0.05) increase for Cd across all treatment regimens. Conclusion: PO is beneficial in reducing metal accumulation in the liver and has a higher hepatoprotective effect to Cd compared to Pb at the selected doses by possibly affecting the processes of uptake, assimilation and elimination of these metals.

}, keywords = {Accumulation, Cadmium, Heavy metals, Lead, Liver, Protection.}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.102266}, author = {Chukwuemeka R Nwokocha and Magdalene I Nwokocha and Daniel U Owu and Joshua Obi and Bukola Olatunde and Chioma Ebe and Ozioma Nwangwu and Moses O Iwuala} } @article {758, title = {Profile of Heavy Metals in Some Medicinal Plants from Ghana Commonly used as Components of Herbal Formulations}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {2}, year = {2010}, month = {March 2010}, pages = {41-44}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {41}, abstract = {

The levels of some heavy metals in 27 medicinal plant species from Ghana were studied in order to evaluate their health implications. These plant species, especially those used in the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma may require long term usage. The metals were copper, zinc, iron, manganese, nickel and cadmium. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyses, and content of metals per sample was expressed as percent {\textmu}g/g. Daily total intake of these metals is discussed based on the recommended daily intake of the medicinal plants or their corresponding formulations. From the results of the study zinc, copper and cadmium were present in all the plant species examined. Manganese was present in all species except V. amygdalina. Iron was found in all except five species (82\%), whilst nickel was (rather rare) detected in only eight (30\%) of the plant species. Significant variations in metal content existed (P\<0.05) among the medicinal plant species with respect to the heavy metals evaluated. The concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium and manganese were within their respective maximum permissible daily levels. However, some species, especially Ocimum canum (8), Clausena anisata and Rauwolfia vomitoria had levels of iron higher than the maximum permissible level of 1000 {\textmu}g/day and may require care to avoid iron toxicity. The results also highlighted the differences in contents of minerals in Lippia multiflora obtained from different locations in Ghana. The findings generally suggest that the use of these plant species for the management of diseases will not cause heavy metal toxicity and may be beneficial to the users in cases of micronutrient deficiency, as these metals were found to be present in readily bioavailable form.

}, keywords = {Health implications, Heavy metals, Herbal formulations, Mdicinal plant}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.60579}, author = {Kofi Annan and Asante Isaac Kojo and Asare Cindy and Asare-Nkansah Samuel and Bayor Marcel Tunkumgnen} } @article {864, title = {Standardization of a Compound Unani Herbal Formulation {\textquotedblleft}Qurs-e-Luk{\textquotedblright} with Modern Techniques}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {2}, year = {2010}, month = {September 2010}, pages = {237-241}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {237}, abstract = {

Background: With global realization that use of synthetic drugs is not safe on the long run, the medical fraternity at large is looking at alternatives from natural sources to combat diseases particularly those wherein conventional modern system of medicine has little to offer. On one hand, this realization has increased demand for herbal drugs and on the other hand need for quality standardization of these drugs has increased. Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Hyderabad, being engaged in multidisciplinary research in Unani Medicine, has taken up standardization of herbomineral drugs used in this system of medicine. One such drug {\textquotedblleft}Qurs-e-Luk{\textquotedblright} that is widely used by the practitioners of this system in mobilizing and reducing body fat has been utilized for standardization by modern techniques, so as to ascertain its quality. Methods: The parameters which were carried out are pharmacognostic studies, physicochemical parameters, high-performance thin layer chromatography, microbial load, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and pesticidal residues revealing specific identities for the particular drug and to evaluate pharmacopoeial standards. Results and Conclusion: Results suggest that the drug is safe for therapeutic use and its batch to batch identification for quality control is possible on the basis of present study.

}, keywords = {Heavy metals, HPTLC studies, Microscopic properties, Physicochemical analysis, Qurs-e-Luk}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.69115}, author = {NMA Rasheed and VC Gupta} }