Determination of Toxic Heavy Metals Lead and Mercury in Traditionally Used Herb

Abstract

During the last few decades much work in the field of natural products of Pharmaceutical significance has been done throughout the world. The development of science of pharmaceuticals and the hopes for remedies in chronic diseases generated new enthusiasm in the research workers to develop herbal medicines. Use of indigenous drugs from plant origin forms a major part of complimentary or traditional medicine. These natural products had been indispensably used by many cultures and traditions folklore medicines for thousands of years. They are intensively explored for their bioactive pharmacophores by modern pharmaceutical companies. The products of the plants and the drugs contains some toxic heavy metals which causes serious illness in the living beings. In order to evaluate the toxic metals in the medicinal plants an attempt has been made to demonstrate the presence of Lead and Mercury in the selected medicinal plant, a rare herb Sarcostemma acidum. Monitering the plants for metals is of great importance for the prevention adverse affects on health.