title: Determination of metal content in valerian root phytopharmaceutical derivatives by atomic spectrometry.
abstract: Phytopharmaceuticals containing Valerian are used as mild sleep-inducing agents. The elemental composition of 3 different marks of Valeriana officinalis roots commercially available in the Argentinian market, their teas, and a commercial tincture have been studied. The content of Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was determined in phytopharmaceuticals by flame atomic emission/absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, and ultrasonic nebulization coupled to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Prior to analyses of the samples, a digestion procedure was optimized. The analytical results obtained for Fe, Al, Ca, and V in the solid sample study were within the range 100-1000 mg/kg, and for Mn, Zn, and Pb within the range 10-100 mg/kg. Cadmium was found at levels up to 0.0125 mg/kg.
authors.affiliation: Area de Farmacotecnia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Chacabuco y Pedernera, San Luis, Argentina.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arce
authors.forename: Soledad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerutti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsina
authors.forename: María R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Luis D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Martínez
mesh_terms: D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008670:Metals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000378:metabolism; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014632:Valerian / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014131:Trace Elements; D002104:Cadmium