Quality, Quantity Analysis of Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Active Chemical Compounds and Cytotoxicity for Some Medicinal Plants in Southern Iraq

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of THI-QAR, 64001, Iraq

Abstract

Medicinal plants are a rich source of various chemical bioactive compounds and are utilized in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The aims of the study investigation of safety-consuming medicinal plants in local Iraqi markets, and measure levels of cadmium, lead, nickel, Manganese, Zanic, and copper. In chamomile, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, Hibiscus, Cyperus, nettle, borage, colocynth, and sider. Plants were collected from local markets in Iraq, and prepared. Aqueous extract of all plants, qualitative tests were conducted for all active chemical compounds. Heavy and trace elements were analyzed and measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Then samples were subjected to cytotoxicity by hemolysis test. Results All medicinal plants gave positive results for active chemical compounds, showing highest cadmium contamination was in 0.32 mg/kg cinnamon (42%), while three plants were recorded as free of cadmium: Saad, Urtica, Borage, highest lead contamination was recorded 2.49 mg/kg, cinnamon by percentage (18%) and lowest contamination was 0.27 mg.kg- chamomile (2%). The highest concentration of nickel in Hibiscus was 15.13 mg/kg (16%), lowest concentration was at cinnamon at 1.47 mg/kg (2%). Manganese recorded 81.58 mg/kg highest level in Sidr while the lowest level was 12.11(3%) in Hibiscus. Zinc recorded in Cumin was 27.88 (61%), and Urtica's lowest concentration was 0.09 mg/kg, Copper recorded at 14.70 mg/kg in Al-Handal (17%), lowest concentration in Chamomile was 2.10 mg/kg (2%). The highest hemolytic activity in the urtic plant was 23% at 100 μg/ml, and cinnamon was 11% at 100 μg/ml. The study concluded high levels of copper, lead, cadmium, and nickel are not permitted by the World Health Organization in cinnamon, Urtica, and Hibiscus also hemolytic activity of nettle and cinnamon plants was recorded by up 10% at 100 μg/ml. These plants cause toxicity for customers. The study recommends periodically medicinal plants in markets to determine concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 117-125

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