ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF UNREGISTERED ANTIMALARIAL HERBAL MEDICINES SOLD IN SAMARU, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The use of herbal medicines has been in the increase in many developing and developed nations and for centuries,
Nigeria has a long history of relying on traditional herbal remedies, leveraging the natural healing properties of
plants to address various health concerns and promote well-being. The listing of these herbal remedies by regulatory
bodies has further encouraged the use of herbal remedies. The safety of these herbal remedies is not guaranteed.
This study is aimed at estimating the concentration of heavy toxic metals (Cadmium, iron, manganese, lead and
zinc) in unregistered Nigerian herbal products frequently used in the treatment of malaria. Ten brands of antimalarial
herbal products were collected, processed using acid digestion method (nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) and then
analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentrations of Lead (17.74 – 27.33 mg/kg) was above
the permissible limits in all the samples analyzed. The contents of Manganese, Iron and Zinc on the other hand were
within the permissible limits for all the samples analyzed. The content of Cadmium was within the permissible limit
for one of the samples (0.04 mg/kg) and above the permissible limit (0.39 – 0.81 mg/kg) for the other samples. In
conclusion, unregistered Nigerian herbal products used to treat malaria contain high levels of toxic heavy metals,
specifically Lead and Cadmium, which exceed permissible limits.