Determination of some trace elements with known immunological response and curative properties in some selected medicinal plants
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Date
2014
Authors
Njenga, Isaac Kariuki
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Abstract
The emergence of drug resistant diseases coupled with the ever-nsmg cost of drugs and
difficulties in assessing health care in Kenya has resulted in an upsurge of interest in herbal
plants. Many sythentic drugs among them artemesinin used for malaria treatment have been
derived from herbal plants.There has been a great emphasis on analysis of organic compounds in
the herbal plants over the years.These bioactive compounds are part of the plant matrix which
include the trace elements. Some trace elements have known immunological response and
curative properties which might explain the efficacy of the herbal plants and thus the significance
of this study. This study will be carried out to determine the concentrations of trace elements
with known immunological response and healing properties in selected medicinal plants
available in Kenya and used for treating various diseases. These plants are Prunus Africana
(Hook f.) Kalkman,Urtica doica L., May ten us obscura (A. Rich.) Cuf., May tenus
putterlickiodes, Azadiracta indica A. Juss , Mondia whytei (Hook. F.) , Zanthoxylum
usambarense, Maerua edulis (Gilg & Gilg-Ben) , Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and
Glycyrrhiza glabra . L. The last two are common exotic species.The concentrations of Zinc,
Chromium, Vanadium and Selenium will be determined by the use of Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF). The
data will be analysed using SPSS and Ms Excel computer software. Spectral data analysis for
EDXRF elemental concentration will be done using QAES, AXIL and S-100 computer software.
The information obtained will be used to enhance the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal
plants through dissemination to the public and health care providers.
Description
On going research-
Degree of Master of Science in Applied Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry