Standardization of crude extracts derived from selected medicinal plants of Pakistan for elemental composition using SEM-EDX

Abstract

The elemental analysis of crude extracts derived from selected medicinal plants of Pakistan, including Trichodesma indicum (whole plant), Paeonia emodi (aerial parts), Aconitum laeve (roots) and Sauromatum guttatum (corms, berries and leaves) was carried out using SEM-EDX technique. Various elements such as C, O, Cl and K were present in all tested plants' extracts, Al was observed in P. emodi and A. laeve, S was detected in T. indicum and S. guttatum (corms and leaves) while Mg and P were found only in S. guttatum (corms). The data showed that C was present in highest quantity in T. indicum and S. guttatum (leaves) (>80%) followed by O while in the rest of extracts these two elements were found in approximately equal quantities. The other detected elements were present in comparatively trace amounts. These results were also evaluated in correlations with previously reported biological activities of the tested extracts. This study would provide a new and alterative technique for the standardizations of crude extracts. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.