American Journal of www.biomedgrid.com Biomedical Science & Research ISSN: 2642-1747 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Research Article Copy Right@ Obeta Mark Uchejeso Profile of Some Trace Elements in Selected Traditional Medicines used for Various Aliments in Ebonyi State, Nigeria Ikeagwulonu Richard Chinaza1,6, Nkereuwem Sunday Etukudoh2, Ejinaka Obiora Reginald3, Ibanga Imoh Etim4, Obeta Mark Uchejeso4*, Uro-Chukwu Henry Chukwuemeka5 and Odeh Elizabeth Chibuzor6 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria 2Department of Haematology, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos-Nigeria 3Department of Parasitology, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos-Nigeria 4Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos-Nigeria 5Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Science, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria 6Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria *Corresponding author: Obeta Mark Uchejeso, Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. To Cite This Article: Ikeagwulonu Richard C, Nkereuwem Sunday E, Ejinaka Obiora R, Ibanga Imoh E, Obeta Mark U, et al., Profile of Some Trace Elements in Selected Traditional Medicines used for Various Aliments in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. 2020 - 9(3). AJBSR.MS.ID.001396. DOI: 10.34297/ AJBSR.2020.09.001396. Received: : June 03, 2020; Published: July 01, 2020 Abstract Background: Traditional medicines have been in use before conventional drugs in Nigeria and Ebonyi State in particular. The use has been on once they are found to be rich in one or more elements. The knowledge on concentrations of these trace elements is important for determining the effectivenessthe increase ofof recentthe plants no matter in treating the levelsvarious of ailments education so and as to exposure understand due theirto the pharmacological efficacy. They are actions. sometimes considered as dietary supplements Aim of Study: ailments as found in herbal medicines sold in Ebonyi State. This study was conducted to investigate the profile of certain trace elements having therapeutic properties related to various Study volunteers and Methods: The herbal medications were found in various locations in Ebonyi State, Nigeria where they were displayed for sale. The mineral elements in 20 herbal medications under study such as metal ions copper, zinc and manganese were determined using atomic 6mm at varying wavelengths of each metal ions - Cu (324.8nm), Zn (213.9nm), and Mn (279.5nm). absorption spectrophotometer of the AA220FS Buck scientific model, air – acetylene flame at a flame temperature of 2600ºC and flame height of Results: The highest mean concentration of copper among the herbal medications studied was found in African Iba (5.64±4.19mg/L), followed by Restorative tonic (5.26±3.78mg/L). The least concentration of copper was found in Golden seed (0.38±0.54mg/L). For zinc, the highest concentration of zinc was found in Divine roots (101.64±3.73mg/L), followed by Zaram pile (96.68±5.59mg/L) and least in Deep roots (31.54±4.04mg/L). Manganese was found to be highest in Ukwara (17.61±5.39mg/L), followed by Golden seed (16.45±5.87mg/L) and least in Bitter Extra (1.43±0.42mg/L). Conclusions: It was observed that all the medications studied had zinc, manganese and copper. Trace elements were found to be present in all below the tolerable upper intake levels while that of Zinc were seen above this level. the herbal medications studied and in amounts sufficient to meet the required daily allowance (RDA). The average concentrations of Cu and Mn were Keywords: Traditional medicines, Trace elements, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Nigeria AJBSR.MS.ID.001396. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License 239 Am J Biomed Sci & Res Copy@ Obeta Mark Uchejeso Introduction absorption spectroscopy. Medicinal plants are widely used all over the world and, Materials and Methods according to the World Health Organization (WHO), for many Study area and Population millions of people, traditional medicines, including herbal Ebonyi state is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of medicines, are the main source of health care and, sometimes, the Nigeria located in the south eastern part of the country. Ebonyi only source of care [1]. Their demand is growing worldwide both State was carved out from the old Abia and Enugu State in October in developing and industrialized countries, as a complementary 1, 1996 with its capital as Abakaliki. It occupies a land mass of 5,935 way to treat and to prevent diseases [2-4]. Medicinal plants play an important role in traditional medicine and are widely consumed as home remedies [5]. Thus, it can safely be presumed that a major square kilometers and is situated between latitudes 5º40’ and Local Government Areas (LGAs) grouped into three senatorial zones part of traditional therapy involves the use of plant extracts or 6º54’N and longitudes 7º30’and 8º30’E. The state is divided into 13 namely, Ebonyi North comprising Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ohaukwu and Izzi LGAs; Ebonyi central made up of Ishielu, Ikwo, Ezza North increase in the use of herbal medicine due to their minimal side their active principles [6]. The past decade has seen a significant effects, availability and acceptability to the majority of the populace especially in third world countries. Consumption of these plants and Ezza south LGAs; and Ebonyi South made up of Afikpo North, Ebonyi state has one tertiary and many secondary and primary contributes to the intake of minerals, essential and non essential Afikpo South, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha LGAs (ESSHDP, 2009). health institutions spread across the state which can either be by the people including infants and the elderly [7]. Many metabolic disorders resulting in human ailments have experimentally been organization. The tertiary health institution is Alex Ekwueme shown to be managed by traditionally used medicinal plants. public, private, mission or owned by nonprofit nongovernmental University Federal Teaching Hospital in the Abakaliki capital city. Among the factors attributing to the healing potential of these The study was conducted in 6 out of these 13 local government medicinal plants, are the trace elements present in them [8]. However, it is widely known that in higher concentration, trace Ohaukwu, Ezza North and Ebonyi Local Government Areas (LGAs). elements in medicinal plants are responsible for their toxicity. areas of Ebonyi State. They are; Abakaliki, Ikwo, Afikpo North, Each of the LGAs has one or more local markets where goods like Besides being used for the treatment of diseases, these traditional Herbal medications are sold in the open market, in the bus, car and medicinal medications are also used as dietary supplements shops. once they are found to be rich in one or more elements (Table 1). Elemental content in medicinal plants can vary in a wide range, Sample collection depending on factors such as soil geochemical characteristics, Three samples were collected each for twenty (20) different atmospheric deposition and the ability of each plant species to herbal medications shown in Table 1 The sixty (60) herbal selectively accumulate some of them [9,10]. The determination medications were made for in-vitro administration and were of major, minor and trace elements in medicinal plants and their purchased from various locations in Ebonyi State. The samples in impacts on human health are also of great importance due to the growth of environmental pollution that directly affects the plants and contained such information like herbal product name, and, therefore, their phytotherapics. Besides, being essential in the liquid formulation were contained in plastic or bottle containers manufacturers name and address, production and expiration dates, living system, the elements can be at the same time toxic, when at NAFDAC enlisting and batch numbers. All herbal medications concentrations beyond those necessary for metabolic functions studied were produced and processed in Nigeria. Parameters [11-13]. In the present study, elemental analysis of some selected analyzed were zinc, copper and manganese. traditional medicinal medication was carried out using atomic Table 1: Trade name of herbal medications sold in various local government of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Locations in L.G of Ebonyi state Frequency of Sale Trade name Action of medications of Nigeria percentage(%) per week Goko mixture Anti-oxidant Immune booster Abakaliki Goodwills Treats Infections Abakaliki ≥50 Dunamis Treats Infections ≥50 Divine roots Immune Booster Afikpo North ≥50 Bitter extra Anti-Oxidant AfikpoIkwo North ˂50 Zaram pile Treats Infections Abakaliki ˂50 Deep roots Male infertility Abakaliki ≥50 Treats infections Abakaliki ≥50 BloodEzinne purifier herbal Enhance female fertility ≥50 Afikpo North ˂50 American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research 240 Am J Biomed Sci & Res Copy@ Obeta Mark Uchejeso Cordel silver Treats infections Iketo Treats infections AfikpoOhaukwu North ≥50 African iba A purgative and anti infectious agent Ezza North ˂50 Restorative tonic Male fertility Ebonyi ˂50 Akwasa Immune booster ≥50 Chindus Anti infectious agent (prostate and urinary) Afikpo North ≥50 Ukwara Anti infectious agent Afikpo North ≥50 Asheitu adams Enhance fertility AfikpoOhaukwu