Studies of trace metals in the leaves of Phyllanthus emblica(L)

INTRODUCTION

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) known as Indian gooseberry is a very richest source of  vitamin C¹  found in abundant amount in deciduous forest of Madhya Pradesh. It is common all over tropical and sub-tropical India. It is known as amalaka in Sanskrit, amla in Hindi, olay in Punjabi , aamla in Gujarati,nellikkai in Tamil. It has antiviral, antibacterial ², anti-proliferative, anti-platelet ^3-5 anti -HIV-1, hypolipidamic properties. It is used as antioxidant, aphrodisiac, as chelating agent, in constipitation, dental problems, diabetes⁶ , diarrhoea, diuretic fevers gonorrhea, hair growth, headache⁷, inflammation mouth ulcers, respiratory problems, skin whitening etc . The plant leaves have the antineutrophilic activity. It reduces blood cholesterol, blood glucose as well as triglyceride levels^8-9

Heavy metal distribution in plants is of interest because of their essential or toxic nature. For example,zinc ,iron, cobalt, chromium ,copper and manganese are essential, while cadmium, lead, nickel  are toxic at certain levels. In past few years research of trace element distribution in medicinal plants^10-13 becomes important.   Trace elements are the essential for human health and they prevent several diseases. The atomic absorption spectroscopy ^14-15 is an important method for detection of trace elements.

EXPERIMENTAL

Leaves of Phyllanthus emblica are picked from Agra and Mathura.  For fifteen days, the samples were air dried under shade. Then powdered with the help of warming blender, 2.5gm ground dried plant leaves were place in a 250 ml conical flask, 2.5 ml concentrated HNO₃ was added slowly with constant shaking. The mixture was heated on a hot plate until the production of brown fumes ceases. The content of beaker was cooled and 10 ml of 70% HClO₄ was added. It was heated again very gently until the solution turns colorless and allowed to evaporating to a small volume. Now cooled and added double distilled water and was filtered into a 100 ml flask using Whatmann filter paper and volume was diluted with double distilled water. The total concentrations of Zn, Fe, Ni, Mn, K, Ca, Mg ,Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, As etc. were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (Model: Perkin Elmer A Analyst 100)

 

(Table: 1) ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS Click here to View table

 

 

Fig1.1 Comparative study of essential trace elements in Agra and Mathura  Click here to View Figure

 

 

(Table: 2) HARMFUL HEAVY METALS Click here to View table

 

 

Fig 2.1 Comparative study of harmful heavy metals in Agra and Mathura Click here to View Figure

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The concentration of cadmium in leaf is 0.005 ppm of Agra but it is absent in sample of Mathura. The permissible limit set by WHO is 0.2 to 0.81 ppm. Thus in Phyllanthus emblica concentration of cadmium is within limit. Cadmium is a non essential trace element. Cadmium biochemically replaces zinc and causes high blood pressure. Cd damages kidney and liver¹⁶. Cadmium causes a disease known as Itai-Itai.

The concentration of copper is 4.625ppm in leaf sample of Agra and 6.458ppm in leaf sample of Mathura. Copper is required for some essential enzymes such as super oxide dismustase, cytochrome oxidase, lysyl oxidase, etc.  Excess of copper results in dermatitis, metallic taste in the mouth, hair and skin decoloration etc.  Copper¹⁷ play role in some neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Wilson’s disease.  In edible plants permissible limit set by FAO/WHO in 1984 was 3.00 ppm. Thus in Phyllanthus emblica copper is more than permissible limit.  Sample of Mathura contains more copper in comparison to sample of Agra.

The concentration of lead in leaf sample of Agra is 22.215ppm and 25.438ppm in leaf sample of Mathura.  Lead has no beneficial effects in humans. Lead exposure produces harmful effects ^16-17.  Lead poisoning results in anemia, headache, brain damage, chronic nephritis of kidneys. The permissible limit set by WHO is 0.1 to 10 ppm. Thus concentration of lead in Phyllanthus emblica is high.

The concentration of arsenic in leaf sample of Agra is 0.041ppm and 0.031ppm in leaf sample of Mathura. In medicinal plants concentration of arsenic recommended is less than 1.0 ppm²⁰. So it is within limit. Excess of arsenic causes metabolic disorder, dermatitis, lung cancer, cardiovascular and neurological effects.

In Phyllanthus emblica concentration of Ni in leaf sample of Agra is 4.532ppm and 3.862ppm in leaf sample of Mathura. In 1984 FAO/ WHO set permissible limit for Ni is 1.683 ppm. No limit yet been given by WHO in 2005 for Ni in medicinal plants. Ni plays an important role in the production of insulin. Nickel compounds bind a variety of enzymes, including hepatic microsomal enzymes, as well as enzymes that catalyze carbohydrate metabolism and transport of ions across membranes. Nickel was thought to be essential to plants and some domestic animals²¹ but not considered to be a metal of biological importance .But after discovery of urease (nickel enzyme²²) it is consider as an element of biological importance.   Lungs are adversely affected by Ni and it is identified as a suspected carcinogen. Nickel can cause a skin disorder known as nickel – eczema²³.Thus concentration nickel in Phyllanthus emblica is high.

In leaf sample of Agra concentration of iron is 54.965ppm and 56.983ppm in sample of Mathura. For Fe in medicinal plants limits not yet been established by WHO in 2005. For the formation of hemoglobin iron is necessary. For the transfer of oxygen and electron transfer Fe is required in human body²⁴.Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in humans²⁵.

Concentration of Cr in leaf of sample of Agra is 11.415ppm and 12.232ppm in leaf sample of Mathura. Trivalent chromium is necessary for the normal metabolism of cholesterol, fat and glucose²⁶. Chromium is one of the known environmental toxic pollutants in the world. Tanneries, sewage sludge application, steel industries and fly ashes are main sources of chromium pollution. Chromium is recognized as pulmonary carcinogen by U.S. Toxicology Programme. No limit yet been established by WHO (2005) for Cr. In medicinal plants, Canada set 2 ppm permissible limit in raw medicinal plant material. Thus concentration of Cr is very high.

Concentration of K in leaf of Phyllanthus emblica is 6.028ppm in the sample of Agra and 5.035ppm in the sample of   Mathura. K is essential to all organisms with the possible exception of blue green algae. It is a major cation and is important in nerve action. The requirement of K is estimated to be 0.2 to 0.6% of the dry weight of the animal’s .Potassium reduces blood pressure. It is moderately toxic to mammals when injected intravenously. Thus potassium is present within limit in Phyllanthus emblica.

The concentration of zinc in the leaf of Phyllanthus emblica is 12.325ppm in the sample of Agra and 9.428ppm in the sample of Mathura. The permissible limit set by FAO/WHO (1984) in edible plants was 27.4ppm.  Several biological roles of zinc have been reported and over 200 proteins and enzymes contain zinc. Zn produces important role in DNA synthesis, brain development, steroidogenesis²⁷ bone formation, wound healing²⁸. Thus concentration of zinc is within limit.

The concentration of calcium in the sample of Agra is 42.842ppm and 40.627ppm in the sample of Mathura. Calcium is essential for all organisms, used in cell walls, bones. Calcium helps in transporting of long chain fatty acids which helps in preventing high blood pressure, heart diseases and some other cardiovascular diseases.

The concentration of magnesium in the sample of Agra is 38.774ppm and in the sample of Mathura is 29.374ppm.Magnesium works with calcium to help transmitting nerve impulse in the brain. Magnesium has calming effect and works on the nervous system of those peoples, suffering from depression. In blood its quantity is 2-4mg/100ml.

The concentration of cobalt in the sample of Agra is 0.066 ppm and in the sample of Mathura is 0.083 ppm .There is no established criteria for cobalt in medicinal plants. In turkey 0.14ppm to 0.48ppm concentration of cobalt was determined in seven herbs²⁹. Cobalt activates many metalloenzymes. Cobalt is found in Vitamin-B₁₂ and plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin and DNA.

Thus on the basis of above results, it is found that Phyllanthus emblica  contain useful trace  elements Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg , K, Mn, Co with in limit but Ni is high. Harmful heavy metals As, Cd, are also with in limit but concentration of Cu, Cr, Pb is higher.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are very grateful to University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India for their financial assistance (Grant No.F.15-39/12 (SA-II)). We are also very thankful to Dr.A.K.Gupta, Head of the Department of Chemistry and Dr.M.K.Rawat, Principal Agra College, Agra for their support.

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