Determination of heavy metals content in Iranian herbal drops

Introduction and background: Despite the increasing usage of herbal medicine in Iran, considerable research on their contaminations has not been conducted. There are many reported in scientific literature that shows the presence of heavy metals in Herbal medicines and because of this, the safety of medicinal herbs and herbal products in consumer patients is importance. Among the chemical pollutants in these herbal medicines, the presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (cd) can be mentioned. The aimed of this study was to determine the concentration of Pb and Cd in selected herbal drops (Carminat, Persica) in Iran.Methods: 45 samples of each herbal drops (total 90) were purchased from the market of Ahvaz. Then 9 composite samples from each of the herbal medicines (each containing 5 samples) were prepared. The sufficient amount of each sample was transferred to an ashing vessel, covered with a cap and dried at 110 ° C -120 ° C. Then the vessel was placed in a cold furnace and its temperature was adjusted to 450 ° C and kept at this temperature until white carbon free ash was obtained. Residues dissolved in HNO3-H2O (1 + 9), diluted with water and analyzed for Cd and Pb concentrations levels at wavelength 228.8 and 283.3 nm, using Graphite Furnace Atomic absorption Spectrometer.Results: The lead mean concentrations levels in investigated Carminat and Persica drops were 48.44 and 52.27 μg/lit respectively, which were lower than the permissible levels adjusted by European Pharmacopoeia (5000 μg/lit). The Cadmium average concentration amounts of examined herbal drops were 1.47 and 2.86 μg/lit, respectively. The Mean Levels of cadmium concentration in tested herbal drops were well below the permissible levels (500 μg/lit).Discussion and Conclusion: The highest concentration of Pb and Cd in the samples of Carminat and Persica were observed (176.31 , 7.96) and (137.09 , 6.63) μg/lit, respectively and the lowest concentration of these heavy metals were (8.77 , 0.26) and (23.62 , 0.77) μg/lit, respectively. Overall, the amount of these heavy metals in studied herbal drops were well below acceptable intake recommended by global standards. however, risk assessment needs considerable attention for herbal therapy patients on illness who may be more susceptible to these toxic elements.

Keywords:

lead , cadmium , herbal medicine , heavy metals