Analysis of lead content in herbal preparations in Malaysia

A Multifaceted Review of Eurycoma longifolia Nutraceutical Bioactives: Production, Extraction, and Analysis in Drugs and Biofluids

Eurycoma longifolia Jack (known as Tongkat Ali) is a popular traditional herbal medicine, native to southeast Asia, that is well-known for its aphrodisiac as well as several other effects. Mostly, the root extract of E. longifolia is used as a folk medicine for sexual dysfunction, aging, anxiety, exercise recovery, fever, increased energy, and osteoporosis. These health effects led to the inclusion of E. longifolia in dietary supplements, particularly for bodybuilding purposes. These effects are mediated by a myriad of bioactive compounds belonging to quassinoids, canthin-6-one alkaloids, tirucallane triterpenes, squalene derivatives, and bioactive steroids. Among these phytoconstituents, quassinoids account for a large portion of E. longifolia root phytochemicals. Of these ingredients, eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in E. longifolia extract, accounts to a large extent for its health effects. This review capitalizes on the novel trends toward the production of E. longifolia bioactives using biotechnology and extraction optimization for best yields and recovery. Alongside, novel extraction methods, i.e., green techniques, of E. longifolia bioactives are described. Further, an overview of the different analytical approaches for the quality control assessment of E. longifolia plant material and nutraceuticals is presented alongside studies in body fluids to determine its pharmacokinetics and efficacy level. Such a compilation of analytical methods will help ensure safety and efficacy of that major drug.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Pawpaw (Carica papaya Linn.) around Automobile Workshops in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Consumption of plants such as Carica papaya grown around automobile workshops is common in big cities in Nigeria. However, little is known about the heavy metals contamination of these consumables due to the influence of automobile emissions during maintenance activities.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess heavy metal concentrations in C. papaya and supporting soils around automobile workshops in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria.

METHODS

Seven automobile workshops were used for the present study. First, 20 m × 20 m quadrats were laid out for soil and C. papaya tissue sampling. One composite soil sample was collected from the topsoil (0-15 cm depth) around each of the automobile workshops. Three C. papaya stands at least 30 cm apart around each workshop were used for the study and from these stands, tissues (root, stem, leaf, fruit) of C. papaya were collected. Standard laboratory techniques were used to determine the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and heavy metals (lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)) in the soil samples and C. papaya tissues. Pairwise t-test was used to determine significant differences (p<0.05) in the heavy metal concentrations in soil and C. papaya tissues between the sample and control sites, while correlation statistics were used to determine the relationship of heavy metal concentrations between soil and C. papaya tissues.

RESULTS

C. papaya tissues and supporting soil had significantly higher levels of pH, EC and heavy metals in the sampled plots than the control plot. The heavy metal concentrations in C. papaya and soil occurred in the decreasing order of Pb>Cu>Hg>Zn>Cd. The fruit of C. papaya had the highest mean concentrations of Pb (51.4±14.1 mg/kg) and Zn (26.4±1.9 mg/kg), while the leaf had the highest mean concentration of Hg (32.0±2.3 mg/kg). The pH, Cu and Zn in the supporting soil were significantly correlated with the levels in the C. papaya tissues.

CONCLUSION

Bio-accumulation of heavy metals by C. papaya is evident around automobile workshops, and Pb, Hg, Cd concentrations were found to be above the permissible limits for human consumption according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Consumption of food materials grown around automobile workshops could pose health risks.