Trace Elements Content of Selected Kenyan Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants
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Date
2012
Authors
Ngugi M., Piero
Njagi M., Joan
Kibiti M., Cromwell
Maina, D
Ngeranwa J.N., Joseph
Njagi N.M., Eliud
Njue M., Wilson
Gathumbi K., Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Sciences
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus has experimentally been shown to be managed by medicinal plant extracts. Among the factors attributable to the hypoglycemic
potential of the medicinal plants, are the trace elements present in them. This study was designed to determine the content of trace elements in five
Kenyan antidiabetic medicinal plants traditionally used to manage diabetes mellitus using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. The elements Fe, Zn, Pb, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Mo and Sr were identified and their contents
estimated. The results of the present study provide justification for the usage of these medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus since
they are found to contain the elements Mg, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn and, which play vital roles in blood glucose reduction, thereby aiding in management of
diabetes mellitus. Our results show that the analyzed medicinal plants can be considered as potential sources for providing a reasonable amount of
the required elements other than diet to the patients of diabetes mellitus. Moreover, these results can be used to set new standards for prescribing
the dosage of the herbal drugs prepared from these plant materials.
Description
A research article published in International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research
Keywords
EDXRF, AAS, Diabetes mellitus, Trace elements, Medicinal plants
Citation
ELIUD, N. M., & PETER, G. K. (2012). Trace elements content of selected Kenyan antidiabetic medicinal plants. Int J Curr Pharm Res, 4(3), 39-42.