title: Quantitative analysis of heavy metals in medicinal plants collected from environmentally diverse locations in India for use in a novel phytopharmaceutical product.
abstract: It is important to monitor the quality of the phytopharmaceutical product as its therapeutic potential depends on standardized delivery of active ingredients present in the botanical source. Minimal presence of toxic impurities like heavy metals (HMs) is warranted to ensure product safety and prevent hazardous health impacts. In the present study, conducted as part of the development of a novel phytopharmaceutical product, the chemical profile of 13 heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, V, Cr, As, Pb, Hg, and Cd) was studied in the whole plant, fruit, and rhizome of Bacopa monnieri, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Dioscorea bulbifera, respectively, from environmentally diverse regions in India. Most samples had HM profiles within permissible limits as established by regulatory authorities, with the exception of Cd and Hg in low-altitude regions. This study indicates geographical regions in India suitable for procuring raw materials to develop and manufacture phytopharmaceutical products.
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Program, Institute of Medical Science, BHU, Varanasi, India, ananya.s.84@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ananya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadhu
authors.forename: Prabhat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Upadhyay
authors.forename: Praveen K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Kaliappan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ilango
authors.forename: Dipankar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karmakar
authors.forename: Gur Prit Inder
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Govind Prasad
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D034681:Bacopa / Q000737:chemistry; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D005843:Geography; D031281:Hippophae / Q000737:chemistry; D007194:India; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil