Internal stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for controlled anti-cancer drug release: a review.

Cancer disease is one of the most frequent life-threatening, with a high fatality rate worldwide. However, recent immunotherapy studies in various tumours have yielded unsatisfactory outcomes, with just a few individuals experiencing long-term responses. To overcome these issues, nowadays internal stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have been widely exploited to transport a wide range of active substances, including peptides, genes and medicines. These nanosystems could be chemically adjusted to produce target-based drug release at the target location, minimizing pathological and physiological difficulties while increasing therapeutic efficiency. This review highlights the various types of internal stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and applications in cancer diagnosis. This study can provide inspiration and impetus for exploiting more promising internal stimuli-responsive nanosystems for drug delivery.

Green Synthesis of Cu Nanoparticles in Modulating the Reactivity of Amine-Functionalized Composite Materials towards Cross-Coupling Reactions.

Control over both dispersion and the particle size distribution of supported metal particles is of paramount importance for the catalytic activity of composite materials. We describe the synthesis of materials with Cu nanoparticles well-dispersed on different amine-functionalized supports, using the extract of Wallich Spurge as a green, reducing agent. Graphene oxide (GO), mesoporous silica (MCM-41), mesoporous zirconia, and reduced graphene oxide-mesoporous silica (RGO-MCM-41) were explored as supports. Cu nanoparticles were better stabilized on RGO-MCM-41 compared to other supports. The novel composite materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy analysis and HR-TEM. SEM and EDX techniques. High angle XRD confirmed the conversion of graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with plant extract as a reducing agent. Both XRD and TEM techniques confirmed the Cu nanoparticle formation. The catalytic activity of all the prepared materials for the Ullmann coupling reactions of carbon-, oxygen-, and nitrogen-containing nucleophiles with iodobenzene was evaluated. From the results, 5 wt% Cu on amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposite (5 wt%Cu(0)-AAPTMS@RGO-MCM-41) exhibited excellent efficiency with 97% yield of the C-C coupling product in water at 80 °C in 5 h. The activity remained unaltered almost up to the fourth cycle. The Cu nanoparticles stabilized by organic amine group on RGO hybrid facilitated sustained activity.

Cytotoxic activity of the bioactive principles from Ficus burtt-davyi.

Ficus burtt-davyi (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant species indigenous to Southern Africa. In this study, a phytochemical and cytotoxic investigation on F. burtt-davyi was conducted to evaluate its ethno-medicinal use. The phytochemical study of the fruits yielded triterpenoids (lupeol and α-amyrin). The cytotoxic evaluation was done on the methanolic extracts and selected compounds, lupeol, α-amyrin, lupeol acetate and (+)-catechin isolated from F. burtt-davyi stem bark and fruits. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay was carried out against two human cancer cell lines, breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), and normal human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). The methanol extract from the stem bark was significantly cytotoxic to MCF-7 and Caco-2 cell lines (p < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 6.6 and 8.1 µg mL-1, respectively relative to the control. Lupeol and (+)-catechin showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values of 22.6 and 29.8 µg mL-1, respectively and greater cytotoxic activity against Caco-2 cell lines with IC50 values of 10.7 and 9.0 µg mL-1, respectively. Data from this study suggests that F. burtt-davyi exhibits cytotoxicity with no significant inhibitory effects against HEK293. The results also indicate that (+)-catechin and lupeol, the most abundant bioactive principles in the stem bark, are responsible for the synergistic cytotoxic effects against tested human cancer cell lines. This study provides evidence on the pharmaceutical potential of the medicinal plant, F. burtt-davyi, as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer.

Structure and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds isolated from the edible fruits and stem bark of Harpephyllum caffrum.

Antioxidant activity in edible fruits is an important characteristic in the choice of fruits for human consumption, and has profound influence on nutrition and health. Two pharmacologically active triterpenoids, ß-sitosterol and lupeol, and the powerful flavan-3-ol antioxidant, (+)-catechin, were isolated from the edible fruits of Harpephyllum caffrum while a mixture of cardanols, an alkyl p-coumaric acid ester, and (+)-catechin were isolated from the stem bark. This is the first report of these compounds being isolated from this plant. The antioxidant capacity of (+)-catechin was higher than the other isolated compounds as well as the known antioxidant, ascorbic acid.

Elemental uptake and distribution of nutrients in avocado mesocarp and the impact of soil quality.

The distribution of 14 elements (both essential and non-essential) in the Hass and Fuerte cultivars of avocados grown at six different sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was investigated. Soils from the different sites were concurrently analysed for elemental concentration (both total and exchangeable), pH, organic matter and cation exchange capacity. In both varieties of the fruit, concentrations of the elements Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and Se were extremely low with the other elements being in decreasing order of Mg > Ca > Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > As. Nutritionally, avocados were found to be a good dietary source of the micronutrients Cu and Mn. In soil, Pb concentrations indicated enrichment (positive geoaccumuluation indices) but this did not influence uptake of the metal by the plant. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the impact of soil quality parameters on the nutrient composition of the fruits. This analysis indicated the prevalence of complex metal interactions at the soil-plant interface that influenced their uptake by the plant. However, the plant invariably controlled metal uptake according to metabolic needs as evidenced by their accumulation and exclusion.

Oxyhalogen-sulfur chemistry: kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of chemoprotectant, sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate, MESNA, by acidic bromate and aqueous bromine.

The oxidation of a well-known chemoprotectant in anticancer therapies, sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate, MESNA, by acidic bromate and aqueous bromine was studied in acidic medium. Stoichiometry of the reaction is: BrO3(-) + HSCH2CH2SO3H → Br(-) + HO3SCH2CH2SO3H. In excess bromate conditions the stoichiometry was deduced to be: 6BrO3(-) + 5HSCH2CH2SO3H + 6H(+) → 3Br2 + 5HO3SCH2CH2SO3H + 3H2O. The direct reaction of bromine and MESNA gave a stoichiometric ratio of 3:1: 3Br2 + HSCH2CH2SO3H + 3H2O → HO3SCH2CH2SO3H + 6Br(-) + 6H(+). This direct reaction is very fast; within limits of the mixing time of the stopped-flow spectrophotometer and with a bimolecular rate constant of 1.95 ± 0.05 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1). Despite the strong oxidizing agents utilized, there is no cleavage of the C-S bond and no sulfate production was detected. The ESI-MS data show that the reaction proceeds via a predominantly nonradical pathway of three consecutive 2-electron transfers on the sulfur center to obtain the product 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, a well-known medium for the delivery of psychotic drugs. Thiyl radicals were detected but the absence of autocatalytic kinetics indicated that the radical pathway was a minor oxidation route. ESI-MS data showed that the S-oxide, contrary to known behavior of organosulfur compounds, is much more stable than the sulfinic acid. In conditions where the oxidizing equivalents are limited to a 4-electron transfer to only the sulfinic acid, the products obtained are a mixture of the S-oxide and the sulfonic acid with negligible amounts of the sulfinic acid. It appears the S-oxide is the preferred conformation over the sulfenic acid since no sulfenic acids have ever been stabilized without bulky substituent groups. The overall reaction scheme could be described and modeled by a minimal network of 18 reactions in which the major oxidants are HOBr and Br2(aq).

Ozone facilitated dechlorination of 2-chloroethanol and impact of organic solvents and activated charcoal.

The ozone-initiated oxidation of 2-chloroethanol was followed by monitoring the consumption of the halogenated organic substrate. Gas chromatographic analysis of the ozonated products showed an increase in conversion from about 1 % after 3 h of ozone treatment to about 22 % after 12 h. The yields of major ozonated products identified and quantified namely acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and chloride ion increased proportionately as a function of ozone treatment time. The percent conversion of 2-chloroethanol in the presence of acetic acid or ethyl acetate were found to be higher than those under solvent-free conditions with similar products obtained. The use of activated charcoal during the ozonolyis of 2-chloroethanol showed a significant increase in the percent conversion of the substrate compared to solvent free ozonation. Based on the experimental findings, the overall mechanism for the reaction between 2-chloroethanol and ozone is described.

Elemental composition and nutritional value of the edible fruits of Harpephyllum caffrum and impact of soil quality on their chemical characteristics.

Harpephyllum caffrum is a medicinal plant and common street tree distributed throughout the eastern part of South Africa. The elemental concentration in the edible fruit of H. caffrum was determined to assess for nutritional value and health impact. Concentrations of metals in the fruit and growth soil were determined from samples acquired from eight different sites in eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to evaluate the impact of soil parameters on elemental distribution in the fruit. Typical elemental concentrations (µg g⁻¹, dry mass) in soil (Exchangeable/Total) and fruit samples, at Umhlanga, north of Durban, were Ca (1221/696 and 3333), Co (2.5/2.1 and 0.16), Cr (35/0.8 and 5.8), Cu (14/9 and 21), Fe (9424/394 and 116), Mg (199/139 and 915), Mn (268/187 and 13), Ni (2.8/0.51 and 3.4), Pb (36/32 and 1.2), and Zn (26/21 and 15). The analytical results showed that metal interactions in soil influenced their availability, but uptake was to a greater extent controlled by the plant. The concentrations of elements in the fruits were found to be in the order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co. The concentrations of toxic metals, arsenic and lead were low. The fruits can contribute to the health and nutritional needs of individuals for most elements. It has potential to improve the Fe status and contribute towards a balanced diet.

Elemental composition and fatty acid profile of the edible fruits of Amatungula (Carissa macrocarpa) and impact of soil quality on chemical characteristics.

The Amatungula fruit, from Carissa macrocarpa, is commonly consumed by the local people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Levels of elements in the fruit were determined to assess if they conform to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) and to assess for potential toxicities. Soils and fruit samples from nine sites in eastern KZN were investigated. Concentrations of elements in the fruit were found to be in the order of Ca>Mg>Fe>Mn≈Cu≈Pb>Se>Cr>Ni>Zn. For the elements in focus, except for Pb, all of the elements found in the fruit contribute significantly towards the RDAs. Lipid profiling was also done to determine the fruits potential as a source of essential fatty acids. The fruit was rich in monounsaturated and essential fatty acids with the linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratio conforming to the recommended range for cardiac health. Concentrations of elements in soil had no significant effect on plant concentrations, but competition between elements in soil influenced their availability. Total soil concentrations of most metals studied have significantly correlated Pb availability, indicating the impact of these metals on Pb availability. The Amatungula fruit showed tendency to accumulate Pb, with Pb levels in fruit at all sites being toxic to human health. Site location had a major effect on plant concentrations however uptake and distribution was primarily dependent on the plants inherent controls, as evidenced by the accumulation and exclusion of elements, to meet its physiological requirements.

Fatty acid profile and elemental content of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) oil--effect of extraction methods.

Interest in vegetable oil extracted from idioblast cells of avocado fruit is growing. In this study, five extraction methods to produce avocado oil have been compared: traditional solvent extraction using a Soxhlet or ultrasound, Soxhlet extraction combined with microwave or ultra-turrax treatment and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Traditional Soxhlet extraction produced the most reproducible results, 64.76 ± 0.24 g oil/100 g dry weight (DW) and 63.67 ± 0.20 g oil/100 g DW for Hass and Fuerte varieties, respectively. Microwave extraction gave the highest yield of oil (69.94%) from the Hass variety. Oils from microwave extraction had the highest fatty acid content; oils from SFE had wider range of fatty acids. Oils from Fuerte variety had a higher monounsaturated: saturated FA ratio (3.45-3.70). SFE and microwave extraction produced the best quality oil, better than traditional Soxhlet extraction, with the least amount of oxidizing metals present.

Kinetics of ozone-initiated oxidation of textile dye, Amaranth in aqueous systems.

The ozone facilitated oxidation mechanism of water soluble azo anionic dye, amaranth (Am) was investigated monitoring the depletion kinetics of the dye spectrometrically at 521 nm. The oxidation kinetics of the dye by ozone was studied under semi-batch conditions, by bubbling ozone enriched oxygen through the aqueous reaction mixture of dye, as function of flow rate, ionic strength, [O(3)] and pH variations. With excess concentration of ozone and other reagents and low [amaranth], reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to the dye. Added neutral salts had marginal effect on the reaction rate and the variation of pH from 7 to 2 and 7 to 12 exerted only small increases in the reaction rate suggesting molecular ozone possibly is the principle reactive species in oxidation of dye. The reaction order with respect ozone was near unity and it varied slightly with pH and flow rate variations. The overall second-order rate constant for the reaction was (105 ± 4) M(-1) min(-1). The main oxidation products immediately after amaranth decolorization were identified. The reaction mechanism and overall rate law were proposed. After spiking the seawater, river water and wastewaters with Amaranth dye, the reaction rates and trends in BOD and COD under control and natural conditions were investigated. The rate of depletion of the dye in natural waters was relatively lower, but the ozonation process significantly decreased both the BOD and COD levels.

Impact of soil quality on elemental uptake by, and distribution in, Colocasia esculenta (Amadumbe), an edible root.

In this study the elemental distribution of selected essential (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Cu, Fe, Co, Cr, Zn, Ni and Se) and the non-essential (Pb, Hg and As) elements were determined in the bulb and peel of Amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta) samples from eight different sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The concentration of Se and As in the soil and in the Amadumbe bulbs were below the detection limit of 0.09 µg g⁻¹. The total and bioavailable concentrations of the elements in conjunction with pH, soil organic matter (SOM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined in the soil samples from the eight sites. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the impact of soil quality parameters on the chemical composition of the Amadumbe root. The results show accumulation or exclusion of certain elements by the bulb as evidenced by the noticeable increase or decrease of the concentrations of elements, respectively. Ca and Mg were found to be major elements in the range (2000-12000 µg g⁻¹), whilst Mn, Zn, Fe and Al were found to be minor elements in the range (20-400 µg g⁻¹). A general trend observed was that the plant favours the absorption of Zn over Cu. A positive correlation between Mg & Ca, Cu & Fe and Co & Ni was also observed. Statistical analysis revealed that the plant tended to accumulate Mg, Ca, Co, Cr and Pb whilst it excluded Hg and Fe, to a lesser extent.

Oxidation of toluidine blue by chlorite in acid and mechanisms of the uncatalyzed and Ru(III)-catalyzed reactions: a kinetic approach.

The complex mechanism of the uncatalyzed and Ru(III)-catalyzed oxidation of toluidine blue [(7-amino-8-methylphenothiazin-3-ylidene)dimethyl ammonium chloride, TB(+)Cl(-)] (λ(max) = 626 nm) by acidic chlorite is elucidated by a kinetic approach. Both the uncatalyzed and catalyzed reactions had a first-order dependence on the initial ClO(2)(-) and H(+) concentrations ([ClO(2)(-)](0) and [H(+)](0), respectively). The catalyzed reaction had a first-order dependence on the initial Ru(III) concentration ([Ru(III)](0)). The overall reaction of toluidine blue and chlorite ion was as follows: TB(+) + 5ClO(2)(-) + H(+) = P + 2ClO(2) + 2HCOOH + 3Cl(-) + H(2)O, where P is (7-amino-8-methyl-5-sulfoxophenothiazin-3-ylidene)amine. Consistent with the experimental results, the pertinent reaction mechanisms are proposed.

Titrimetric and photometric methods for determination of hypochlorite in commercial bleaches.

Two methods, simple titration and photometric methods for determination of hypochlorite are developed, based its reaction with hydrogen peroxide and titration of the residual peroxide by acidic permanganate. In the titration method, the residual hydrogen peroxide is estimated by titration with standard permanganate solution to estimate the hypochlorite concentration. The photometric method is devised to measure the concentration of remaining permanganate, after the reaction with residual hydrogen peroxide. It employs 4 ranges of calibration curves to enable the determination of hypochlorite accurately. The new photometric method measures hypochlorite in the range 1.90 x 10(-3) to 1.90 x 10(-2) M, with high accuracy and with low variance. The concentrations of hypochlorite in diverse commercial bleach samples and in seawater which is enriched with hypochlorite were estimated using the proposed method and compared with the arsenite method. The statistical analysis validates the superiority of the proposed method.

Ozone-initiated disinfection kinetics of Escherichia coli in water.

The effect of ozonation on the rate of disinfection of Escherichia coli was investigated as a function of ozone concentration, ozonation duration and flow rates. Ozone was generated in situ using Corona discharge method using compressed oxygen stream and depending on the oxygen flux the ozone concentrations ranged from 0.91-4.72 mg/L. The rate of disinfection of all the three microbes followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to the microbe count and first order with respect to ozone concentration. The influence of pH and temperature the aqueous systems on the rate of ozone initiated disinfection of the microbe was investigated. The inactivation was faster at lower pH than at basic pH. Molecular ozone is found more effective in disinfection than hydroxyl radicals. Two reported mechanisms for antimicrobial activity of ozone in water systems from the literature are discussed. Based on the experimental findings a probable rate law and mechanism are proposed. Ozonation of natural waters significantly decreased the BOD levels of the control and microbe contaminated waters.

Chemical composition of edible Macadamia nuts (Macadamia integrifolia) and impact of soil quality.

The distribution of eight selected elements (As, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn) in edible Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) nuts from eight sampling sites in the south east coast region of South Africa is investigated. The levels of the elements in all the Macadamia nuts are found to be in the decreasing order of Mg > Ca > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > As. The exception is Mn, which exhibited large variability with concentrations in nuts ranging from 10.21 +/- 0.47 microg g(-1) to 216.4 +/- 0.4 microg g(-1). The impact of soil quality parameters: soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter and elemental concentrations, as well as interactions in the soil on the elemental composition in the nuts are also studied. At the Ifafa site, south of Durban, typical elemental concentrations (in microg g(-1) dry weight) in the (nuts and soil) are Mg (4920 and 4656), Ca (2169 and 6173), Fe (92 and 20200), Zn (52 and 30), Cu (20 and 49), Cr (2.0 and 69.0) and As (0.024 and 0.104). The maximum concentration of Mg in the nuts is observed to be 4956.1 +/- 92.8 microg g(-1), while that of As is below 0.058 +/- 0.003 microg g(-1). Ca and Mg levels in nuts are antagonistic. Further, when bioavailable levels of Fe, Cu and Zn in soil are low, the bioaccumulation factor for Fe in nuts is high. Although, the soil quality parameters have an influence on the elemental uptake by the Macadamia nut, the results show that uptake and distribution of metals in the nuts are primarily dependent on the plants inherent controls that ensure the physiological well-being of the plant. Macadamia nuts prove to have good control on elemental uptake and are low in the toxic metals investigated.

Elemental composition and chemical characteristics of five edible nuts (almond, Brazil, pecan, macadamia and walnut) consumed in Southern Africa.

The total elemental concentrations and proximate chemical composition of five different tree nuts, almond (Prunus dulcus), Brazil (Bertholletia excelsa), pecan (Carya pecan), macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) and walnut (Juglans nigra) that are consumed in South African households were investigated. In addition, six physicochemical properties of the extracted nut oils, namely acid value, iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, density and specific gravity were evaluated. A high concentration of Se (36.1 +/- 0.4 microg g(- 1)) was found in the Brazil nuts only. With maximum and minimum limits being set by the almond and pecan nut samples, Cr ranging from 0.94 +/- 0.14-2.02 +/- 0.07 microg g(- 1) was detected in the nut samples. Generally, the order of the concentrations of the elements in all the nut samples is found to be Mg > Ca > Fe > Cu > Cr > As > Se. The concentrations of Mn and Zn showed greater variation amongst the different types of nuts. The extracted oils showed low acid values and high saponification values with the macadamia nut sample having the highest oil content (76.0 +/- 0.5 g per 100 g of sample), the lowest acid value (0.42 +/- 0.01 mg KOH per g of oil) and highest saponification value (193.7 +/- 2.4 mg KOH per g of oil). The present findings are useful in calculating the Dietary Reference Intakes of these nutrients.

Elemental uptake by edible herbs and lettuce (Latuca sativa).

The total concentration of toxic elements (aluminum, cadmium, chromium and lead) and selected macro and micro elements (iron, manganese, copper and zinc) are reported in six leafy edible vegetation species, namely lettuce, spinach, cabbage, chards and green and red types of Amaranth herbs. Although spinach and chards had greater than 125 mv of iron, both the amaranthus herbs recorded > than 320 microg g(-1) dry weight. In both the spinach and chard species, the Mn and Zn levels were appreciable recording > 225 microg g(-1) and 150 microg g(-1) dry weight, respectively. Aluminum concentrations were (in microg g(-1) dry weight) lettuce (10), cabbage (11), spinach (167), chards (65), amaranthus green (293) and amaranthus red (233). All the micro and macro elements and the toxic elements (Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb) elements analyzed, were below the recommended maximum permitted levels (RMI) in vegetables. Further the elemental uptake and distribution of the nine elements, at three growth stages of the lettuce plant grown on soil bed under controlled conditions are detailed. In the soil, except for iron (16%), greater than 33% of the other cations were in exchangeable form. Generally in the lettuce plant, roots retained much of the iron (> 224 microg g(-1)) and aluminum (> 360 microg g(-1)), while leaves had less than 200 microg g(-1) of iron and 165 microg g(-1) of Al. Although the concentrations of elements marginally decreased with growth, the lettuce leaves had significant amounts of Mn (30 microg g(-1)), Zn (50 microg g(-1)) and Cu (3.6 microg g(-1)). Some presence of lead in leaves (2.0 microg g(-1)) was noticed, but all the toxic and other elements analyzed were well below the RMI values for the vegetables.

Elemental distribution in seaweed, Gelidium abbottiorum along the KwaZulu-Natal Coastline, South Africa.

The total concentrations of 7 selected metals, namely manganese, iron, zinc, titanium, boron, arsenic and mercury, were monitored for one annual cycle covering four seasons in the seaweed, Gelidium abbottiorum, at four sampling sites at Zinkwasi, Ballito, Treasure beach and Park Rynie along the South-East coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to assess the current status of the marine environment. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometry, Mercury Cold Vapour AAS, and Hydride Generation AAS were used for the determination of metal concentrations. Mn concentrations were particularly high in the G. abbottiorum species, followed by Fe, As and B concentrations which were in the 3-8 ppm range. Ti and Zn were in the 100-400 ppb range, while Hg was low and below 100 ppb. A typical sample of G. abbottiorum at Treasure beach, a site close to Durban metropolis in winter had Mn (8.6 ppm), Fe (4.6 ppm), As (5.6 ppm), B (3.0 ppm), Ti (420 ppb), Zn (167 ppb) and Hg (7.5 ppb). All metals recorded a decrease in concentrations from winter to spring with the exception of Hg. The Hg levels increased considerably from winter to spring.

Effect of coal mine soil contamination on the elemental uptake and distribution in two edible Amaranthus species, A. dubius and A. hybridus.

The impact of coal mine dump contaminated soil on the elemental uptake by two edible plants, namely, Amaranthus dubius (red herbs) and Amaranthus hybridus (green herbs), was studied by investigating their response and ability to tolerate and accumulate varying levels of elements in their roots and shoots. The vegetation was grown on varying amounts of contaminated soil, viz. 0%, 5%, 15%, 25% w/w using coal mine dump soil. The soil was analyzed for soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), moisture content, and selected heavy metals. The distribution of six metals, namely, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Mn, and Fe, in roots, stem, and leaves of the plants was determined in two stages of growth after 5 weeks and 10 weeks. All soil and plant samples were microwave digested and subjected to heavy metal analysis using the ICP-OES, GFAAS, and CVAAS. The pH of the coal mine dump contaminated soil decreased with an increase in contamination. Both the SOM and CEC values decreased, which increases the availability of elements, by providing more binding sites in the soil. Relatively, the red herbs had higher elemental concentrations than the green herbs. Both plants recorded high manganese accumulation. No mercury was detected in the soils or plants.