Analysis of major and trace elements in crude drug and infusions of Pluchea sagittalis (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Pluchea sagittalis (Lam.) Cabrera is widely used in Argentinean folk medicine. In this work, eleven major and trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, and Zn) were determined in P. sagittalis herb and made infusions by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Infusions were prepared using deionized water and the extraction yields for all elements present in the infusions were calculated. The results showed that contributions of P. sagittalis infusions of essential elements were less than 6% for humans. Although, the high amounts of K, Mg, and Na in infusions justify the use of this herb as nutritional supplement in special diets. Additionally, the contribution of non-essential elements (Al, Cd and Pb) was very low and did not pose any threat to consumers. Finally, the accuracy and precision of the method were verified against a NIST 1570a Spinach leaves certified reference material.

Pluchea sagittalis (Lam.) Cabrera es ampliamente utilizado en la medicina popular argentina. En este trabajo se determinaron once elementos principales (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb y Zn) en hierbas e infusiones de P. sagittalis por espectrometría de emisión óptica con plasma de acoplamiento inductivo (ICPOES). Las infusiones se prepararon usando agua desionizada y se calcularon los rendimientos de extracción para todos los elementos presentes en las infusiones. Los resultados mostraron que las contribuciones de elementos esenciales de infusiones de P. sagittalis eran menores del 6% para seres humanos. No obstante, la alta cantidad de K, Mg, Na justifican el uso de esta hierba como suplemento nutricional en las dietas especiales. Además, la contribución de los elementos no esenciales (Al, Cd y Pb) es muy baja y no representa ninguna amenaza para los consumidores. La exactitud y precisión del método se verificaron contra un material de referencia (hojas de espinaca certificado NIST 1570a).