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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2021 | Volume
: 20
| Issue : 4 | Page : 364-370
ICP-OES analysis of heavy metal and nutrient elements of yarrow sold in Turkey
Ummusen Gokcena1, Yavuz B Koseb2, Hassan Y Aboul-Enein3, Goksel Arli2
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
3 Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
PhD, DSc Hassan Y Aboul-Enein
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo 12622
Egypt
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
CheckDOI: 10.4103/epj.epj_16_21
Aim The present study was to evaluate the local ‘yarrow’ drug − Millefoli herba − samples acquired from aktars, herbalists, and herbal shops.
Materials and methods The samples were from Ankara (10 samples), Antalya (14 samples), Eskisehir (11 samples), Istanbul (10 samples), Izmir (10 samples), Mersin (10 samples), and Ordu (seven samples), which are used in the traditional medicine for various purposes. More than 70 samples were evaluated from seven different provinces.
Results The taxonomic diagnosis of some of them is sold as Achillea millefolium L.; however, the study results show that the drugs do not belong to this species, and also five different A. L. taxa are sold as A. millefolium L. The selected heavy metals (Fe, Cd, and Co) and plant nutritional elements (Mn, Zn, Na, K, Ca, B, and Mg) were initially determined by quantitative ICP-OES analyses. Among the investigated samples, the lowest and highest results were 0.365–18.86 mg/kg for Fe; 0.007–0.294 mg/kg for Cd; 0.022–0.027 mg/kg for Co; 0.097 mg/kg–2.098 mg/kg for Mn; Zn 0.009–0.624 mg/kg; Na 1.539–15.80 mg/kg; K 39.8–390.3 mg/kg; Ca 31.24–223.1 mg/kg; B 0.046–3.970 mg/kg; Mg 7.058–43.84 mg/kg, respectively.
Conclusion The results were compared with WHO recommended limits and daily intakes.
Keywords: Achillea L, heavy metal, ICP-OES, nutrients, yarrow
The use of medicinal plants for the purpose of treatment has begun with the history of humanity. The oldest recordings in respect of the use of herbs in the cure of illnesses have based on the written sources left from China, India, and North Africa civilizations [1],[2],[3],[4].
WHO announced that in the world, approximately four billion people try to remove their health problems with herbal drugs in the first phase. WHO stated that in the world, the number of used herbs are about 20 000 and 4000 of these herbs that are widely used as drugs [5].
In Turkey, the number of medicinal herbs are not rigorously known, but it is estimated that ∼500 herbs are used for the purpose of curing ailments. The export potential of 200 medicinal and aromatic herbs has been indicated [6],[7].
In the studies evaluating medicinal herbs in terms of heavy-metal contents, as well as Cu, Co, Zn, Mn, and Fe, which are found naturally in herbs and are necessary for human health; however, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg show toxic effects when they reach certain limit values [8].
Heavy metals accumulated in the structure of plants hinder the physical activity, decrease the yields, and even can cause plants’ death. Therefore, heavy metals affect adversely every step of agriculture and cause production and quality to decrease. These elements are transmitted to the soil with the precipitations and flow to the rivers by percolating. The use of rivers with the aim of watering, accumulation in the soil because of the overuse, and transmission of these metals to the living creatures affect adversely their lives [9],[10].
The most of health problems, requiring diagnosis and treatment to the highest degree, caused by metals and especially the heavy metals, are chronic diseases or cancers. In many of them, treatment possibilities are quite restricted and sequentially or frequently death can be observed. This situation makes us think that primary safeguard measures will be able to be more successful than secondary and tertiary-treatment services. At first, safekeeping the essential purpose is to prevent the contact with the active ingredient risky for lives of living beings. Earth’s crust confronts us as the most important pollution source for these substances. At this point, the collaboration of different disciplines is thought to provide significant contributions for the prevention of contact of toxic metals with people [11],[12],[13].
Achillea L. (Asteraceae) species, commonly known as ‘yarrow,’ have been used in folk medicine for numerous medicinal properties. The name of A. originated from the name of ‘Achilles’ from Greek mythology, as he used yarrow to treat his bleeding ankle and wounds. Today, several therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and spasmolytic and choleretic uses, are approved by scientific experimental results [14],[15].
The aim of this study was to determine heavy metals and other nutritional elements in the samples sold as yarrow from the different cities of Turkey by ICP-OES.
Materials and methodsPlant samples
Achillea species, drugs sold with the name of ‘yarrow,’ were supplied from Ankara (10 samples), Antalya (14 samples), Eskisehir (11 samples), Istanbul (10 samples), Izmir (10 samples), Mersin (10 samples), and Ordu (seven samples). In the study, 72 herbalist samples were used as materials ([Table 1]). Identification of imported commercially available samples was done by using Flora of Turkey.
Analytical procedure
With the aim of measuring the amount of heavy metals, glass, plastic, and porcelain materials used stayed in detergent water. After that, they were washed with running water and transferred to 20% HNO3 solution. Also, to clean the waste whose dissolution is too hard in the glass materials, chromic acid solvent was used. Plant samples brought to the laboratory, after being washed by distilled water, were dried at 105°C and were homogenized. Dried plant samples were weighed at a precision balance as 0.3 g and transferred into pots whose volume capacities are 60 mm, and which can resist to maximum 40-bar pressure and 230°C. In high heat-resistant and pressure-tight pots, six samples can be passed into solution at the same time. After addition of 10 ml of HNO3 and 10 ml of H2O2, in the process of making samples soluble, Berghof speedwave MWS-3+ model microwave bakery was used. The procedure of heavy- metal specification was done at the Perkin Elmer Optical Emission Spectrometer Optima 4300 Dv device.
Statistical analysis
SPSS statistical programme was used for statistical analysis ([Table 2]). Average, SD, minimum, and maximum values, which were read for three times, have been calculated. Besides ‘Statistical Package for the Social Sciences’ (SPSS 10.0) (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA) programme was used to provide easiness in the evaluation of gained data ([Table 2]).
Results and discussionAccording to botanical identification of plant samples, it was determined that six different species were sold as yarrow. These species are Achillea biebersteinii Afan., Achillea falcata L., Achillea phrygia Boiss. et Bal., Achillea kotschyi Boiss., Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch., and Achillea millefolium L. ([Table 1]).
The content of sodium found in plants changes between 0.01 and 10%. In a study on the different parts of medicinal plants, sodium concentrations were examined and it was determined that sodium concentrations were among 31.90–860.20 mg/kg in consequence of this study [16],[17]. Sodium surplus causes high blood pressure, potassium loss, overhydration, and edema. Sodium creates adverse impacts such as forgetfulness and hypotension in the case of its lack. Daily sodium need should be 5–15 mg for a person. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least sodium-amount accumulation is 10 539 mg/kg and the highest sodium-amount accumulation is 15.80 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
In the lack of potassium, carbohydrate metabolism breaks down. Circumstantially when weak scape and stem are seen, resistance to illnesses decreases [18],[19],[20],[21]. WHO emphasizes that daily potassium need should be at least 3510 mg for a person to protect against diseases and to balance the blood pressure [22]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least potassium-amount accumulation is 39.8 mg/kg and the highest potassium-amount accumulation is 390.3 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
While calcium lack is causing chlorosis in young leaves, in the excessive lack of calcium, necrosis can also be seen in leaves [23],[24],[25]. In the plant of Gentiana olivieri, the minimum ratio of calcium was found as 3358 mg/kg and the maximum ratio was 17 642 mg/kg in the plant’s roots [16]. In the different parts of Arnebia densiflora, calcium concentration was investigated and that the content of calcium changes between 9203 and 37 637 mg/kg was seen [17]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least calcium-amount accumulation is 31.24 mg/kg and the highest calcium-amount accumulation is 223.1 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
In people, magnesium lack stimulates osteolysis, nervous system, and heart diseases, and thus the magnesium quantity asked to be consumed reaches 300–420 mg [26]. The content of magnesium was determined between 117.1 and 1141.6 mg/kg in some spices and medicinal herbs [27]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least magnesium-amount accumulation is 7.058 mg/kg and the highest magnesium-amount accumulation is 43.84 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
Whereas Turkish food codex allows 52 mg/kg iron in nourishment, WHO/FAO reports that this limit reaches up to 200 mg/kg. Lack of iron causes anemia, nosebleed, etc., in people and the toxic limit of iron is defined as 200 mg/kg for people and 10 200 mg/kg for plants [27],[28]. The trace iron amount plants can have in their structure is 20–200 mg/kg [29]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least iron-amount accumulation is 0.365 mg/kg and the highest iron-amount accumulation is 18.86 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
In plants, more than 260-ppm boron-element concentration is evaluated as toxic [30]. The trace boron amount plants can have in their structure is 3.0–90 mg/kg [29]. The toxic effects of boron are seen, such as headache, vomiting, diarrhea, exaltation, or depression in adults and coma in children. The pink color seen on fingertips are characteristic indications of boron intoxication [31]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least boron-amount accumulation is 0.046 mg/kg and the highest boron-amount accumulation is 3.970 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
The trace zinc amount plants can have in their structure is 20–100 mg/kg [29]. The zinc amount plants take is stated in a source as 3.6–5.5 mg/kg. In Turkish food, codex and WHO/FAO reports the maximum allowed zinc-intake amount recorded as respectively 5–50 and 20 mg/kg in some vegetables and foods. While high-dose zinc amount affects chlorophyll synthesis in plants, the daily recommended zinc amount for people is specified as 15 mg [31],[32]. Symptoms of acute intoxication occur, such as indigestion, diarrhea, nauseation, and stomach ache [33]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least zinc-amount accumulation is 0.009 mg/kg and the highest zinc-amount accumulation is 0.624 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
The trace cadmium amount plants can have in their structure is 0.05–0.5 mg/kg [29]. It was determined that people take daily 0.02–1 mg of cadmium with respiration. WHO advises that in open air to protect human health, cadmium concentration should not be more than 1–5 ng/m3 in rural areas and should not be more than 10–20 ng/m3 in urban and industrial areas [34]. High-dose cadmium causes health problems, such as hypertension, anemia, stomachache, excessive vomiting, bone fracture, reproduction and infertility, central nervous-system failures, failures in the immune system, physical breakdowns, cancer, hair shedding, skin dehydration, diminishing appetite, liver and kidney disfunctions, and shorter lifespan [35]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least cadmium-amount accumulation is 0.007 mg/kg and the highest zinc-amount accumulation is 0.294 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
Whereas cobalt excessiveness in pasture and meadow lands is poisonous for plants, in the case of cobalt, lackness in plant-structure inappetency and even deaths can be seen in ruminant animals. The trace cobalt amount plants can have in their structure is 0.02–0.5 mg/kg [29]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least cobalt-amount accumulation is 0.022 mg/kg and the highest zinc-amount accumulation is 0.027 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
Manganese surplus in plants shows poison effect and avoids plants that absorb iron. In the absence of manganese, which is also found in the structure of chlorophyll, chlorophyll generation decreases in the plants. The trace manganese amount plants can have in their structure is 20–400 mg/kg [29]. According to our measurements, in plant samples, the least manganese-amount accumulation is 0.097 mg/kg and the highest manganese-amount accumulation is 2.098 mg/kg ([Table 3]).
ConclusionIt has been determined that some of these samples sold under the name A. millefolium do not belong to this species. Five different taxa belonging to the genus Achillea L. have been found to be sold under the name yarrow. Samples are sold in a mixture of different taxa in the same herbalist. In this study, no case exceeding the limit values in terms of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Zn, Cd, Co, and Mn was observed, no evidence has been found to affect human health.
In order to determine the quality of medical plants and to prevent human health from adversely affecting them, it is necessary to determine the heavy-metal concentrations and make them a criterion for selling.
Acknowledgements
The study has been supported by Anadolu University Scientific Research Committee (Project No. 1505S427).
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
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