Antileishmaniasis effects of monoherbal skin ointment made from bark and leaf of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. in patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Prevalence of parasitic skin diseases, cutaneous leishmaniasis is very frequent in Pakistan, especially in Baluchistan where occurrence of phelbotomine sand flies (vector of protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania) is very common. This study was conducted to assess the antileishmaniasis activity of Intericutol plus ointment (2% and 3%) made with ethanolic extract of bark and leaves of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.)Planch. The antileishmaniasis effect was observed by applying the ointments on the lesions of leishmaniasis patients. 150 patients were included in the study that had single and multiple painful wet and dry ulcerative lesions on the exposed area of the body. The patients were divided into two groups of 75 patients each, applying 2% and 3% ointment respectively for 28 days. Dose of 10gm/week was applied topically on wounds. Excellent antileishmaniasis effect was observed with significant quick healing properties in the patients receiving 3% Intericutol plus ointment as compare to 2% showing 89% and 81% cure (p=0.02) respectively. It can be concluded that ointment made from medicinal plant proved to be very effective in treating cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Hematological screening of heavy metals among patients of asthma using medicinal herbs in Karachi, Pakistan.

Prevalence and concentration of some toxic (Pb, Cd, and As) and essential metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co) were determined in the blood samples collected from asthmatic patients in Karachi, Pakistan using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All selected patients were habitual of taking crude drugs and home remedy as self medication to treat and prevent asthma. We detected large proportion of the patients with detectable levels of heavy metals. The percentage prevalence of Pb, Cr, Ni, and Co, were found 100% while that of As and Cd were 55% and 60% respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopic data showed the presence of metals in the analyzed samples in the range of 0.00-37.08 µg/dl for As, 8.1-41.4µg/dl for Pb, 0.0-9.6µg/l for Cd, 2.0-55.6µg/l for Cr, 20.0-85.9µg/l for Ni, and 0.15-3.6 µg/l for Co. The study will be helpful in creating awareness regarding the use of quality herbal medicines in asthma. It is suggested that along with avoidance of other risk factors, reliance on the use of quality traditional medicines free from heavy metal contamination is very essential especially incase of bronco asthmatic conditions.

Trace element geochemistry of Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, fruit from winder, Balochistan, Pakistan in perspective of medical geology.

An integrated study of rocks, soils and fruits of Manilkara zapota (L.) (Sapotaceae) of Winder area have been carried out to elaborate trace elements relationship between them. The igneous rocks of the study area have elevated amount of certain trace elements, upon weathering these elements are concentrated in the soil of the area. The trace elements concentration in the soil were found in the range of 0.8-197 for Fe, 1.23-140 for Mn, 0.03-16.7 for Zn, 0.07-9.8 for Cr, 0.05-2.0 for Co, 0.52-13.3 for Ni, 0.03-8.8 for Cu, 0.08-10.55 for Pb and 0.13-1.8µg/g for Cd. The distribution pattern of elements in the rocks and soils reflected genetic affiliation. Promising elements of edible part of the fruit were Fe (14.17), Mn (1.49), Cr (2.96), Ni (1.13), Co (0.92), Cu (1.70) and Zn (1.02µg/g). The concentration of these elements in the fruits is above the optimum level of recommended dietary intake, probably due to this, disorder in the human health is suspected in the inhabitants of the area.

Atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis of some Pakistani herbal medicinal products used in respiratory tract infections.

Heavy metals are one of the major causes of widespread occurrence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Unani system of medicines utilizing plant extracts and herbal medicinal products (HMPs) are known to have remedial potential in different RTIs (flue, cough, bronchitis, allergy, asthma, nasal and chest congestion). Being natural in origin chances of metal contamination cannot be ignored in Phytopharmaceuticals, therefore toxic metal contents (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) were determined in some Pakistani branded HMPs being used in various RTIs through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Research findings showed detectable levels of metals in all these formulations. Daily metals intakes via these HMPs were calculated as: 0.86-277.44 (Pb), 1.442-10.986 (Cd), 0.16-5.83 (As), and 0.00-0.09 µg/ day (Hg). Prevalence of toxic metals in HMPs especially elevated levels of Pb and Cd, pose severe health risks to the consumers. Statistical interpretation of data using ANOVA followed by LSD (p<0.05), revealed significantly different metal concentrations among HMPs. To identify the metal contaminant of HMPs and highlight their toxic manifestations is the basic aim of this research. The study is not a bias to the beneficial effects of the Phytopharmaceuticals, rather is done to improve their quality and safety parameter according to the international health standards.

Determination of toxic metals in some herbal drugs through atomic absorption spectroscopy.

This study presents a picture of occurrence of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn) in some selected valuable herbal drugs (G. glabra, O. bracteatum, V. odorata , F. vulgare, C. cyminum, C. sativum, and Z. officinalis) purchased from three different zones (southern, eastern, and western) of Karachi city using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metal concentrations in these drugs were found in the range of: 3.26-30.46 for Pb, 1.6-4.91 for Cd, 0.65-120.21 for Cu, 83.74-433.76 for Zn, 1.61-186.75 for Cr, 0.48-76.97 for Ni, 5.54-77.97 for Co and 65.68-1652.89 µg/g for Fe. Percentage of heavy metals that were found beyond the permissible limits were: 71.4% for Pb, 28.51% for Cd, 14.2% for Cu, and 9.5 % for Cr. Significant difference was noticed for each heavy metal among herbal drugs as well as their zones of collection using two way ANOVA followed by least significant (LSD) test at p<0.05.Purpose of this research is to detect each type of heavy metal contaminant of herbal drugs by environmental pollution, as well as to highlight the health risks associated with the use of such herbal drugs that contain high levels of toxic heavy metals.