Estimation of trace elemental concentration in Azadirachta indica and Withania somnifera anti-cancer medicinal plants of Telangana using EDXRF technique

Abstract

Abstract X-ray fluorescence is one of the most versatile and high precision technique. EDXRF technique was employed to determine the 13 trace elemental concentrations in selected medicinal plant samples of Azadirachta indica (bark) and Withania somnifera (roots). From the current findings, the concentrations of trace elements Calcium, Iron, Copper, Selenium, Bromine and Strontium are higher while Phosphorus, Sulphur, Potassium, Manganese, Zinc and Rubidium are lower in the bark of A. indica and in the roots of W. somnifera the elemental content of Sulphur, Chlorine, Potassium, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Selenium, and Bromine are higher while P, Rb and Sr are lower when compare with NIST 1515 certified values. The elemental compositions in both A. indica and W. somnifera were discovered to be diverse. Hence, various parts of these herbal plants are enriched in a few macro and trace elements i.e. P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Rb, Se, and Sr, which are very important for biological process. Medicinal properties of these plant samples and their elemental distribution have been correlated to cancer therapy.