Nutritional analysis of some selected medicinal plants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Citation Hussan Ara Begum, Muhammad Hamayun, Noor Shad, TabassumYaseen and Fayaz Asad. Nutritional analysis of some selected medicinal plants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pure and Applied Biology. Vol. 7, Issue 3, pp955-964. http://dx. AbstractPlant biodiversity contribute significantly to human health, nourishing and nurturing them and alleviating their acute and chronic diseases. Plants not only served as curing agents since long but also providing basic nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fat etc. These nutrients have essential role in supporting human body requirements for vigor, used in different physiological and morphological functions. In present study, Cucumis sativus, Portulaca oleracea, Malus baccata, Saxifraga flagillaris, Geranium wallichianum and Monotheca buxifolia, were assessed for their nutritional and proximate composition (ash, moisture, protein, carbohydrates and fat) subjected to Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) procedure based to their ethno botanical importance. In results, the comparative assessment of these selected plants showed that Carbohydrates was highest in Monotheca buxifolia (74.27%), followed by Geranium wallichianum (64.68%) and Saxifraga flagillaris (62.79%). Ash content was highest in Portulaca oleracea (26.44%), followed by Malus baccata (22.83%) and Cucumis sativus (20%). Malus baccata possessed highest percentage of moisture (18.69%). Saxifraga flagillaris has highest percentage of protein (4.37%). Cucumis sativus consisted of highest percentage of fat (14%). It is concluded from the present study that medicinal plants play crucial role in human life and are praiseworthy springs of food nutrients and therapeutics associate in human health.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants

“…Presented study was organized to determine the toxic metal concentration in selected Antidiabetic medicinal plants used as herbal medication by the local residents. The amount of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Zinc in medicinal plants (Adiantum capillus-veneris, Momordica charantia, Eugenia jambolana , Gymnema sylvestre, Allium sativum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Pongamia glabra, Sphaeranthus hirtus and Clerodendrom inerme) extracted in water and acid (mention its name and concentration) are given in Table (3,4) and Fig. (1, 2).…”

“…Lead is non-essential metal incorporated into the body by ingestion, inhalation causes serious body poisoning like heart, kidney, nerves, blood, generative and digestive system (Zheljazkov andJekov., 1995: Khan et al, 2007 ). Fatal doses of the lead stimulating serious diseases leading to permanent difficulties with cerebrals issues (Begum et al, 2017). Their poisonous causes nuisance, anemia, stomach pain and irritability.…”

“…The environmental influence of toxic metal contamination related to health issues remain a great area of affliction. Trace amounts of some toxic metal are favourable to human health but their presence exceeding estimated daily safe intake is harmful leading to physiological degradation and cell poisoning (Begum et al, 2017;Khan et al, 2008). The ability to deposit high concentration of metals than in the eco-system due to bio accumulation in plants escalated their injurious effect (Begum et al, 2017).…”

“…Trace amounts of some toxic metal are favourable to human health but their presence exceeding estimated daily safe intake is harmful leading to physiological degradation and cell poisoning (Begum et al, 2017;Khan et al, 2008). The ability to deposit high concentration of metals than in the eco-system due to bio accumulation in plants escalated their injurious effect (Begum et al, 2017). High intake/ use of Lead (Pb) can cause high blood pressure (BP) and extensive weakening effects to the organs (Begum et al, 2017).…”

“…The ability to deposit high concentration of metals than in the eco-system due to bio accumulation in plants escalated their injurious effect (Begum et al, 2017). High intake/ use of Lead (Pb) can cause high blood pressure (BP) and extensive weakening effects to the organs (Begum et al, 2017). Cadmium (Cd) accumulation is associated with renal and respiratory damages as well as kidney injury etc.…”