PROFILE OF HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

Essential and non-essential heavy metals like Mn, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd were quantified in selected medicinal plants including Artemisia vulgaris L., Asparagus adscendens Roxb, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L., Galium aparine L., Mucuna pruriens L., Stevia rebaudiana and Withania somnifera L., by using atomic absorption spectrometry. The main purpose of this study was to document evidence of essential and non-essential heavy metals in these herbs, which are extensively used in the preparation of herbal products and standardized extracts. High iron contents were observed in W. somnifera 206.69 ppm, S. rebaudiana 201.38 ppm, G. aparine 180.91 ppm, C. tetragonoloba 87.14 ppm, A. adscendens 85.27 ppm, A. vulgaris 81.39 ppm and M. pruriens 33.21 ppm. The concentration of other heavy metals particularly manganese and zinc was also found on the higher side in the selected herbs