Detection of lead and cadmium in traditional herbal supplements using atomic absorption spectrometry
2013
Mohd Shaiful M. | Helal Uddin A. B. M. | Abbas A.
Traditional herbal medicine is practiced since the earliest history for the maintenance and cure of health disorder was recorded. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the world's population still depends on herbal remedies. In recent year the popularity of herbal formulation both medicinal and supplement has increased tremendously. Safety and efficacy of these products become an area of concern to World Health Organisation (WHO). Herbal product manufacturers non-compliance to the existing guidelines and regulations set by the authoritative body has led to manufacture of products questionable for their quality and safety aspects. In Malaysia due to the abundance of medicinal herbs and plants, the practice of using traditional remedies are common. Some of these products contained toxic elements due to heavy metals. Heavy metal toxicity may cause severe health implications starting from very simple allergy to very complicated organ (kidney, liver, lungs etc.) failure. Current research focused on determination of heavy metal lead and cadmium using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples were collected from the east coast region of Malaysia, namely Kuantan and Terengganu. Most of the products were not registered with the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB). Out of thirty samples collected, fourteen samples contained lead and six contained cadmium. The minimum and maximum amount of lead present in the samples were 0.45 to 4.29 ppm and for cadmium it was 0.04 to 0.15 ppm, The amount found in the preparations were within the permissible limit set by the NPCB for herbal formulation.
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