Minor and trace elemental determination in the Indian herbal and other medicinal preparations

Evaluation of chronic toxicological profile of herbo-mineral formulations: Shwaskas Chintamani Rasa and its marketed formulation namely Kas Shwas Hari Rasa

Background

Shwaskas Chintamani Rasa (SKC) and Kas Shwas Hari Rasa (KSH) are the Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulations. These Ayurvedic formulations contain heavy metals which is the reason of concern and might bring up the safety issue.

Objective

This research article is aimed to study chronic toxicity of SKC and KSH for safety aspect in Wistar rats.

Material and method

A study group of 220 healthy rats were divided into six groups. These rats were administered with SKC and KSH formulations where both the formulations were administered for 180 consecutive days. SKC was administered at doses of 58 mg/kg (equivalent to therapeutic dose i.e. TD), 145 mg/kg (2.5 TD), 290 mg/kg (5 TD) and KSH was administered at dose of 58 mg/kg (TD). According to OECD guideline 452, the effect of these formulations was examined on hematology, serum biochemistry and histopathology of various organs.

Results

Both the formulations did not produce any signs or symptoms of treatment related toxicity in both male and female Wistar rats at therapeutic dose (TD), 2.5 times TD and 5 times TD.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, the NOAEL (No observed adverse effect level) for test formulations SKC and KSH tablets in male and female wistar rats concluded to be preclinically safe.

Promotion of seed germination and early plant growth by KNO3 and light spectra in Ocimum tenuiflorum using a plant factory

The plant factory with artificial light (PFAL) is a novel cultivation system of agriculture technology for crop production under controlled-environment conditions. However, there are a number of issues relating to low quality of seed germination and seedling vigor that lead to decreased crop yields. The present study investigates the optimal KNO₃ concentration for seed germination, and the influence of different light spectra on early plant growth in holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) under a PFAL system. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of KNO₃ concentration (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) on germination of seeds primed for 24 h under white Light emitting diodes (LED). Results show that sowing holy basil seeds in 0.4% KNO₃ enhanced seed germination percentage (GP) and germination index (GI), while decreasing mean germination time (MGT). Experiment 2 investigated the effect of four light spectra on seed germination and early plant growth by sowing with 0 and 0.4% KNO₃ and germinating for 15 days continuously under different monochromatic light settings: white, red, green and blue in PFAL. It was found that the green spectrum positively affected shoot and root length, and also decreased shortened MGT at 0 and 0.4% KNO₃ when compared with other light treatments. Additionally, pre-cultivated seedlings under the green spectrum showed significant improvement in the early plant growth for all holy basil varieties at 15 days after transplanting by promoting stem length, stem diameter, plant width, fresh weights of shoot and root, and dry weights of shoot and root. These findings could be useful in developing seed priming and light treatments to enhance seed germination and seedling quality of holy basil resulting in increased crop production under PFAL.

Health Hazard Assessment Due to Slimming Medicinal Plant Intake

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80% of people rely on medicinal plants for their primary health needs. Traditional medicine's principal benefits are their vast population knowledge, low severe adverse effects rate, low cost, and the lack of a medical prescription to use them. While obesity has become a global health issue, an increase in finding cheap and fast ways to lose weight escalates medicinal herbs' use for this purpose, both in dietary supplements or in teas. At the same time that Brazil aims to expand traditional medicine, reports regarding toxicology and poisoning put natural products' safety in check. Plants can accumulate heavy metals and metalloids leading to health risks; however, there is a lack of information on that matter, possibly due to a lack of international standardization regarding elemental contamination - this study aimed to determine metal and metalloid concentrations in slimming medicinal plants and their respective teas and evaluate their safety consumption. Metal and metalloid content were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). All plants and teas were within the set limits for tolerable upper intake level (UL), provisional tolerable daily maximum intake (PTDMI), and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The hazard quotient index (HQ) was above 1 for almost all plants, and the Hibiscus sabdariffa tea regarding aluminum content. The arsenic level was above the Brazilian Pharmacopeia limit in natura plants demonstrating risk in their consumption. Some herbs also presented detection for elements with no safety limits set, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which could mark as a red flag for consumption once their security intake is not precise yet.

Content of trace elements and chromium speciation in Neem powder and tea infusions

Total concentrations of selected trace elements in Neem powder and in Neem tea were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data revealed that despite high total concentrations of the potentially toxic elements Al and Ni in Neem powder, their amounts dissolved in Neem tea were low. Total concentrations of the other toxic elements Pb, As and Cd were also very low and do not represent a health hazard. In contrast, total concentrations of the essential elements Fe, Cu, Zn, Se Mo and Cr in Neem powder were high and also considerable in Neem tea. Consuming one cup of Neem tea (2g per 200 mL of water) covers the recommended daily intakes for Cr and Se and represents an important source of Mo and Cu. Speciation analysis of Cr by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ICP-MS with the use of enriched Cr isotopic tracers to follow species interconversions during the analytical procedure demonstrated that toxic Cr(VI) was not present either in Neem powder or in Neem tea. Its concentrations were below the limits of detection of the HPLC-ICP-MS procedure applied. The speciation analysis data confirmed that even Cr(VI) was added, it was rapidly reduced by the presence of antioxidants in Neem leaves. By the use of enriched Cr isotopic spike solutions it was also demonstrated that for obtaining reliable analytical data it is essential to apply the extraction procedures which prevent Cr species interconversions, or to correct for species transformation.

Antiproliferative effects of Plumbago rosea and its purified constituent plumbagin on SK-MEL 28 melanoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Plumbago rosea is used in traditional systems of medicine for the preparation of formulations used for treating inflammations, cough, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal disorders, and also in conjunction with cancer chemotherapy. In the present study, the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of plumbagin, and the ethanolic root extract of P. rosea (ETPR) was evaluated on SK-MEL 28 melanoma cell lines and human lymphocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT and apoptotic assays were used for the evaluation of cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects, respectively. In addition, the effect of Plumbagin and ETPR in down regulation of BCL-2 expression is investigated using RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

Both plumbagin and ETPR dose-dependently decreased the cell viability more potently in melanoma cell lines. P. rosea extract demonstrated significant synergy in inhibiting BCL-2 expression than plumbagin. Moreover plumbagin showed more toxicity in human lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

Plumbagin has anti-cancer potential, but the side effects limits its use; yet plumbagin, in combination with other ingredients in Plumbago rosea extract, displays significant synergy leading to a stronger anticancer effect with significantly less toxicity.

Sedative-hypnotic Effect of Ash of Silver in Mice: A Reverse Pharmacological Study

Ash of silver is used in traditional systems of medicine for various neurological conditions like insomnias, neuralgias, anxiety disorders, and convulsions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the sedative-hypnotic activity of ash of silver in comparison to pentobarbitone (standard drug) in albino mice. The mice were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 (control): Gum acacia [GA; 1% per os (p.o.)], group 2 (standard): Pentobarbitone [50 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)], group 3 (test): Ash of silver (50 mg/kg p.o.), and group 4: Ash of silver (50 mg/kg p.o.) given 30 min prior to administration of pentobarbitone (50 mg/kg i.p.). Time of onset, recovery, and total duration of loss of righting reflex were studied. Ash of silver (test) produced significant sedation (P < 0.01) compared to control (GA 1%), but the effect was significantly less compared to that of standard pentobarbitone at the doses used. Also, significant potentiation (P < 0.001) of the sedative-hypnotic effect of pentobarbitone was observed with the test drug.

[Aspects of traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) in urology]

Ayurveda is from a global viewpoint the oldest and the most employed traditional form of medicine in India. The difference to western medicine is that this form of medicine is based on experience, empirical evidence and intuition accumulated over thousands of years and passed down through generations orally as well as by sketches. Ayurveda is not only concerned with the physical but also with the spiritual aspects of the body and according to this doctrine most diseases result from psychological and pathological alterations in the body. Ultimately, the definition of health according to Ayurveda is an equilibrium between the physical, mental and spiritual components. Ayurvedic medicine is used within the framework of the treatment of urolithiasis for diuresis, for litholysis, as an analgetic for spasms and with an antimicrobial function.

Heavy metals and living systems: An overview

Heavy metals are natural constituents of the earth's crust, but indiscriminate human activities have drastically altered their geochemical cycles and biochemical balance. This results in accumulation of metals in plant parts having secondary metabolites, which is responsible for a particular pharmacological activity. Prolonged exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc can cause deleterious health effects in humans. Molecular understanding of plant metal accumulation has numerous biotechnological implications also, the long term effects of which might not be yet known.

Determination of major and minor elements in the Malva sylvestris L. from Turkey using ICP-OES techniques

In this work, Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana (L.) leaves were collected from different points in Muradiye region of Manisa-Turkey. The leaves were dissolved by wet digestion method using a mixture of mineral acid. Concentrations of Ag, Al, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sr, Sb, Si, Ti, U, Zn, and Zr in prepared solutions were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). High Ca (13,848 mg/kg) and Mg (1,936 mg/kg) concentrations were found at the leaves. Obtained values were compared with the internationally permitted (standard) values. The results of elements were analyzed statistically (analysis of variance test). For different leaf sizes, concentration factors were calculated.

Use of Pavo cristatus feather extract for the better management of snakebites: neutralization of inflammatory reactions

In Indian traditional medicine, peacock feather in the form of ash (Bhasma) or water extract are used against snakebite and to treat various problems associated with lungs. This study was aimed to evaluate the water extract of peacock feather (PCF) against the local tissue damage caused due to snakebite. PCF water extract showed inhibition towards phospholipase A2 enzyme activity from snake venom (Naja naja and Vipera russelii), inflammatory fluids (synovial, pleural, ascites) and normal serum in a dose-dependent manner. Hyaluronidase and proteases are other major enzymes in snake venoms responsible for local tissue damage. PCF water extract inhibited hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzyme activities from Vipera russelii, Naja naja and Trimeresurus malabaricus venom. The active principle is a hydrophilic molecule easily extractable in water or polar solvents. PCF water extract gave positive results for the presence of protein and secondary metabolites like carotenoids and steroids. Analysis of metal ions revealed that iron is the major ion (> 20-fold). Other metal ions detected in smaller amount are copper, chromium, zinc and nickel. The least amount of ion detected is gold. Co-injection of PCF water extract with snake venom and inflammatory PLA2 enzymes neutralize the edema inducing activity of all the PLA2 enzymes studied. Since it inhibits hyaluronidase and proteases enzyme activity from snake venom PCF water extract is a powerful neutralizing agent, which has therapeutic application against venom toxicity.

Determination of manganese in some medicinal plants and their infusions by a catalytic spectrophotometric method

The catalytic effect of manganese (II) on the oxidation of the azo dye 3-Methyl-6-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-[2-methoxy-4-N (N, N diethylamino) phenylazo] benzothiazolium methylsulphate, with potassium periodate in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline in weakly acidic media was studied. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of the dye at 560 nm. Under the optimum conditions (4 x 10(-5) mol dm(-3) azo dye, 4 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3) potassium periodate, 1 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3) 1,10-phenanthroline, 0.1 mol dm(-3) buffer--pH 3.0, 70 degrees C, 8 min) manganese (II) in the range 0.1-5 ng cm(-3) could be determined by the fixed-time method with a detection limit of 0.035 ng cm(-3). The developed method is highly sensitive, selective, and simple. The method was applied successfully to the determination of total manganese in some medicinal plants and to analyse their infusions for trace amounts of total manganese and free manganese (II) ions without separation.

Determination of manganese (II) in some medicinal plants and their decoctions by a kinetic spectrophotometric method

The catalytic effect of manganese (II) on the oxidation of the azo dye tropaeolin 00 with potassium periodate in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline was investigated. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of the azo dye at 445 nm. Under the optimum analytical conditions, manganese (II) in the range 0.05-2.5 ng/mL could be determined by the fixed-time method with a detection limit of 0.02 ng/mL. The developed method is highly sensitive, selective and simple, and was applied successfully to analyse decoctions of some medicinal plants for trace amounts of total manganese (II) and free manganese (II) ions without separation.

Availability of essential trace elements in Ayurvedic Indian medicinal herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Specific parts of several plants (fruits, leaves, stem, bark, and roots) often used as medicines in the Indian Ayurvedic system have been analysed for 20 elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr and Zn) by employing instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The samples were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor and the induced activity was counted using high resolution gamma ray spectrometry. Most of the medicinal herbs have been found to be rich in one or more of the elements under study.