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Traditional medicinal plants in Nigeria--remedies or risks
O Awodele1, T D Popoola, K C Amadi
1Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics & Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B, Lagos 12003, Nigeria.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|October 8, 2013
Summary
Industrial pollution contaminates medicinal plants with heavy metals like lead and cadmium. This study found higher metal levels in plants and soil from polluted areas, highlighting the need to control environmental sources for safer herbal remedies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Pharmacognosy
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Industrialization leads to soil pollution, impacting herbal vegetation used for traditional medicine.
- Assessing heavy metal contamination in medicinal plants is crucial due to widespread use of herbal remedies, especially in developing nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine heavy metal contamination (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Zinc) in commonly used medicinal plants and their surrounding soil.
- To compare heavy metal levels in plants and soil from polluted industrial areas versus non-polluted sources.
Main Methods:
- Collected five medicinal plant species (Ageratum conyzoides, Aspilia africana, Alchornea cordifolia, Amaranthus brasiliensis, Chromolaena odorata) from polluted and non-polluted sites in Edo State, Nigeria.
- Analyzed dried leaves and roots using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for heavy metals.
- Assessed heavy metal concentrations in soil samples from both environments.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher concentrations of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, and Zinc were found in the leaves and roots of plants from polluted soil.
- Heavy metal levels in soil samples from the polluted area were also significantly higher compared to the non-polluted area.
Conclusions:
- Environmental contamination control is essential for standardizing traditional remedies.
- The source of medicinal plants is a critical factor, as environmental contamination can lead to plant toxicity.
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