Analysis of trace metals in selected traditional herbal plants used for anti-diabetic treatment / Nuruhuzaifa Shafie

The aim of this study was designed to analyze of trace metals present in antidiabetic
plant and concentration in selected traditional herbal plants and the concentration of
metals between different plants. The selected leaves of herbal plants were pokok misai
kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus), pokok bismillah (Vernonia amygdalina) and daun
bidara (Ziziphus mauritiana). The selected trace metals studied were Fe (iron), Mn
(manganese), Ni (nickel) and Zn (zinc). The samples were analyzed by using Flame
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The concentrations of trace metals in leaves part of
herbal plants samples were varied ranged from 78.9 mg kg-· to 127.2 mg kg-· for iron,
. 26.8 mg kg-. to 86.1 mg kg· for manganese 14.9 mg kg-· to 16.2 mg kg for nickel and
25.8 mg kg-· to 149.3 mg kg-· for zinc. Concentrations of trace metals for iron, zinc and
nickel for three herbal plants were higher than WHO permissible limit while manganese
and zinc for species Ziziphus mauritiana were below WHO maximum limit. The results
showed the analyzed traditional herbal plants can be considered as potential sources for
providing a reasonable amount of required elements to the patients of diabetes mellitus.
In addition, these results can be used to set new standards for prescribing the dosage of
the herbal drugs prepared from these plants materials.