Binding forms of risk elements in root fractions of Leuzea carthamoides (Willd.) DC

The aim of this study was to confirm that the content of elements posing a health risk and their distribution in root extracts of Leuzea carthamoides (Willd.) DC, a medicinal plant containing therapeutic compounds (ecdysteroids, flavonoids and N-feruloylserotonin isomers), should not be a factor limiting its use in therapeutic practice. The arsenic, cadmium, copper and lead content was determined for root dry matter and individual fractions of root dry matter produced by sequential extraction. Compounds with biological and therapeutic activity are present in petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol fractions, which. were found to contain minor concentrations of the four elements, i.e. 3.7% of the total arsenic in the root dry matter, and respectively 8.9%, 10.1% and 2.2% of the cadmium, copper and lead. The remaining fractions containing the major proportion of these elements are not used in the pharmaceutical industry. Since only small amounts were found in the root fractions for pharmaceutical use, it can be assumed that L. carthamoides can be grown at sites contaminated by these elements.