Abstract

Abstract
In this study, measurements of the presence of heavy metals (Lead, Copper,
Cadmium, Arsenic and Mercury) and inorganic elements (Sulfates, Fluorides,
Chlorides) were measured quantitatively from the leaves of Stereospermum
colais. Lead, Copper and Cadmium were analyzed using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry (AAS). Arsenic is estimated by the colorimetric method.
Mercury is estimated by the method of absorption of cold vapor atoms.
Qualitative analysis of inorganic elements was also carried out. Sulfate, fluoride
and chloride are quantitatively estimated using the turbidimetry, colorimetric and
argentometry methods. The results obtained show that the content of heavy
metals is still within the permissible levels and hence plants are safe to use in
herbal medicine formulations.
• Plants have become one of the important sources of medicine since the
beginning of human civilization. WHO has recently defined traditional
medicines (including herbal medicines) as therapeutic treatments that
have existed for hundreds of years, before the development and spread of
modern medicines and are still used today (WHO, 1991).
• The use of traditional herbal medicine has spread not only in developing
countries but also in industrialized countries, as a way to treat and prevent
disease (World Health Organization, 2003). Herbal medicine is a global
phenomenon, a multibillion-dollar industry, and its raw materials,
phytochemicals are widely used as precursors for the regulation of
pharmaceutical products. One problem that is owned is from the purity of
the product, with the presence of heavy metal contamination which is one
of the most common complaints.
 Results
• Heavy metals appear naturally in the soil. They cannot be degraded and can
accumulate in plant tissues. The metals chosen for this study are Arsenic,
Mercury, Lead, Copper and Cadmium because they are very toxic even in
very small quantities. The quantitative estimation of heavy metals is
presented in table 1

• . The concentration of heavy metals is at the permissible level. The presence

of important copper elements in the leaves to determine the potential of the
drug in various diseases. The results of qualitative and quantitative
measurements of inorganic elements in these medicinal plants are
presented in table 2.
• The mineral content shows the nutritional value and has the potential to act
as a cofactor for the biological activity shown by the plant extracts studied.
• Conclusion
• This research shows that this plant is safe to use as an herbal
medicine, because the concentration of heavy metals is within the
limits that are still allowed. This research provides appropriate
information for plant validation that is medically beneficial. Therefore,
Sterospermum colais leaves can be used in herbal medicine
formulations.