Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the profile of certain trace elements having therapeutic properties related to diabetes mellitus. The investigated plants were Aloe camperi, Meriandra dianthera, Lepidium sativum, Brassica nigra, and Nigella sativa. These plants are traditionally used in the management of diabetes in Eritrea. The elemental analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) techniques. The accuracy of the methods was verified using in-house reference materials (CRMs) and no significant differences were observed between the measured and certified values. The analysis displayed variable concentrations of the different trace elements including Zn, Cr, V, Mn, and Se in the plants. Moreover, the levels of major elements, such as Mg, Ca, K, Na, and Ba, and heavy metals, such as Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, As, and Pb, were determined and found to be in the permissible limit defined by WHO. Among the plants, Meriandra dianthera showed the highest levels of Mn, Cr, V, and other elements and the values were significantly different (P < 0.05).
Highlights
Trace elements have been identified for a long time as potential candidates for improving metabolic disorders including diabetes [1]
It is widely believed that some trace elements, such as Zn, Cr, V, Mg, Mn, and Se serve as cofactors of antioxidative enzymes and play an important role in protecting the insulin secreting pancreatic β-cells, which are sensitive to free radical damage [2, 3]
It has been reported that the imbalance of some essential trace elements might adversely affect pancreatic islet and cause development of diabetes [4] and some trace elements have been recommended as dietary supplement to alleviate the impaired insulin metabolism in diabetic patients [5, 6]
Summary
Trace elements have been identified for a long time as potential candidates for improving metabolic disorders including diabetes [1]. It is widely believed that some trace elements, such as Zn, Cr, V, Mg, Mn, and Se serve as cofactors of antioxidative enzymes and play an important role in protecting the insulin secreting pancreatic β-cells, which are sensitive to free radical damage [2, 3]. It has been reported that the imbalance of some essential trace elements might adversely affect pancreatic islet and cause development of diabetes [4] and some trace elements have been recommended as dietary supplement to alleviate the impaired insulin metabolism in diabetic patients [5, 6]. Profiling the levels of these elements is mandatory in monitoring the safety of herbal preparations employed in the management of diabetes and other ailments
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