Trace Elements Analysis of Some Herbal Plants with Antimalarial Potency in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

Trace elements concentrations in twelve herbal plants with antimalarial potency in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique. The study was aimed at determining the qualitative and quantitative trace elements in these plants. Leaves, stem barks and corm of selected plants were analyzed for their trace elemental contents. The plant samples were found to contain essential trace elements such as Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr and Ni which are well known for their important roles in formulation of herbal drugs as well as toxic elements such as Cd and Pb. The concentration of Mn ranged from 0.10±0.00 mg/kg in Khaya grandifoliola to 2.16±0.00 mg/kg in Morinda lucida while for Zn, highest concentration of 0.31±0.01 mg/kg was obtained in Lawsonia inermis. Fe concentration ranged from 0.77±0.03 mg/kg in Curcuma longa to 7.22±0.01 mg/kg in Azadirachta indica while for Cr, it varied between 0.01±0.03 mg/kg and 0.13±0.01 mg/kg for Alstonia boonei and Enantia chlorontha respectively. Ni concentration varied from 0.22pm 0.01 mg/kg (Mangifera indica) to 0.33±0.02 mg/kg (Enantia chlorontha) while Pb varied between 0.39±0.05 mg/kg (Nauclea latifolia) and 0.76±0.15 mg/kg (Enantia chlorontha). Cu and Cd levels were below detection limits [Cu (0.005 mg/kg and Cd (0.01 mg/kg)] of the spectrophotometer used. The concentrations of the trace elements in the samples were lower than the permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO). The study has shown that the herbal plants can provide antimalarial potency without leaving deteriorate effects of consuming some harmful trace elements. The study could serve a baseline for further researches on the subject matter in future.