Pharmacological Aspects Of Heavy Metals

Introduction

Traditional medicines have been used since long time. People all across the world are consuming them due to their historical conduct and cultural ideology. As per World Health Organization (WHO), more than half approximately 70% population of world still relies on traditional medicines to meet their health requirements as they are obtained from natural sources (Uddin et al. , 2012). It is a conjecture that traditional medicines is reliable than synthetic drugs which possessed chemicals. As researchers proceed further they discovered that plants not only comprise of toxic secondary metabolites but also befouls with environmental pollutants particularly heavy metals which pave the way for severe health problems if consumed for long time. (Hina et al. , 2011).

Traditional medicine industry is constantly mushrooming and it was thought to be 60 billion US$ yearly in 2008(Uddin et al. , 2012). In the early 50s a staggering number of 84% Pakistani population was relying on traditional an+52. d herbal medicines but at present this dependency has been restricted (Alam et al. , 2011). This industry is expanding briskly in Malaysia and people are consuming traditional medicines as their basic substances to healthcare. It can be verified by the fact that nearly 500 million US$ is consumed yearly on traditional medicines and natural resources medicines in contrast to approximately 300 million US$ of allopathic medicines (WHO, 2007). Heavy metals are natural elements of earth’s layer. They cannot be annihilated and could get into the human body through foodstuff and medicinal plants etc. Heavy metal indicates to any element with high density and which is toxic at low concentrations examples of such elements are mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, thallium and lead. Two other features of heavy metals are high atomic weight than sodium and presence of toxicity. (Adepoju-Bello et al. , 2014). It could be toxic and essential as well formal one such as Pb, Cd, Hg and As can lead to metal poisoning to patients while latter demanded by the human body in minor amount. However they also converted into toxic when blood level shot up which may result in torment to significant organs of body like heart,kidneys and brain(Uddin et al. , 2012). Due to worldwide surge in consumption of medical plants regulatory authorities WHO and FDA are now highly focusing towards safety and productiveness of these traditional medicines. (Helaluddin et al. ,2013). Its observation is vital due to two prime causes. Firstly environmental pollution which could be through any source like industrial waste, traffic emissions and agricultural items for instance organic mercury,fungicides, and insecticides. (Adepoju-Bello et al. ,2014). Secondly different traditional medicines specifically from Asia often have been found effected with toxic level of heavy metals (Adepoju-Bello et al. , 2014). Now WHO emphasizes on analysis of heavy metals in traditional medicines (Hina et al. , 2011). This article will deliver heavy metal content in 09 medicinal plants of Pakistan and 01 mixture of herbal drug from Malaysia. Heavy metals are stipulated using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

Statement of the Problem

Pharmacological aspects of heavy metals and underlying health issues are discussed. Cadmium: toxicological effects of cadmium are very high. Kidney failure is the major case. It also causes serious effects on liver, vascular and immune system. Lead: it possess serious effects on immune, renal, skeletal, blood, nervous, reproductive, muscular and cardiovascular system. Copper: it is necessary for many enzymes but at higher concentration it can damage bones and connective tissues, melanin production, irritation of respiratory tract, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and liver damage. Zinc: zinc exposure leads to toxic effects on immune system and blood lipoprotein levels. Chromium: high exposure to chromium leads to many health issues such as kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, mental illness and thyroid disorders.

Objectives

This report was aimed to know the presence of six heavy metals, namely Chromium, lead, Cadmium, Copper, zinc and Nickel in the effluents of pharmaceutical industry. We can encourage the pharmaceutical companies that before releasing the effluent into the environment they must treat it properly.

The main objectives of this report are thatProper treatment of pharmaceutical is mandatory. And reduce the amount of heavy metals which are used in pharmacy to reduce the aspects of heavy metals on human and other organisms. Advance machinery or procedure use to reduce the amount of heavy metals in effluents and also meet the standers of quality. Proper monitoring and checking must be first priority to reduce the harmful outcomes. Quality control of the pharmaceuticals manufacturing process from raw material supply to finished product and testing is really very important as the products are for human consumption. Hygiene and cleanliness requirements are very strict. (Hrsak J, Fugass M, Vadjic V et al. ,2000). Pharmaceutical effluents contain heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Nickel, Chromium and other toxic organic chemicals or phenolic compounds. These can degrade the environment severely. (Foes and Ericson, et al. ,1980). These heavy metals can store faster than release from the body. (Lenntech, 2006; Daniel et al. , 1997;Davies et al 2003)

Methodology Chemicals and reagents:

Chemicals and reagents were of analytical rank and used for analysis. For digestion of samples HNO3 was used as long as compatible with metal salts namely (CdCl2. H2o, Cu(So4)2, Zn(So4)2, Pb(No3)2, NiCl2. 6H2O and Cr(No3)2 were used as standards(Adriano et al 2001).

Instrumentation:

For working, AAS instrument (PERKIN ELMER A. Analyst 200; Germany) that consists of hollow cathode lamp, silt width of 0. 7nm and air acetylene flame was used. Analyzed samples for six heavy metals were namely Chromium which was analyzed at wavelength of 357. 87nm, Nickel at 323. 00 nm, Cadmium at 228. 80nm, Zinc at 213. 86nm, Lead at 283. 31nm and Copper at 324. 75nm. By using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, heavy metals in medicinal plants were determined (Shimadzu). For this reason, we utilize those samples and standards that were sprint in replica (Adepoju-Bello et al. , 2014).

Sampling:

From Pakistan and Malaysian origin a number of 10 medicinal plants were examined by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. 9 out of 10 plants were as of Pakistan and methanolic extracts of dissimilar fractions of plants. Only 1 was acquired from Malaysia and in capsule dosage form it was combination drug. For Wet absorption of samples, Nitric acid (HNO3) of analytical rank and 70% Perchloric acid (HCLO4) to offer from Fischer scientificused like reagent. By using deionized water solutions were made. Before use all glassware were carefully washed and rinsed (Hina et al. , 2011).

Sample preparation:

During analysis, if we want to make safe removal of organic impurities and to hinder involvement, each of 50ml conical flasks must be ranked on fume cupboard (Momodu and Anyakora et al. , 2010). To keep away from spillage, we can use aluminum foil to covered sample and then heated on hot plate up to the solution reduced to 10ml. Then it was placed to cool and made up to mark with distilled water before filtering into 50ml standard flask, then labeled and ready for analysis(Pandey et al. , 2010).

Standard Preparation:

For heavy metals, to acquire calibration curve, standard solution under study were to make ready in 3 to 5 different concentrations. By diluting stock standard solution which has concentration 1000ppm it was happened. From stock standard solution lower concentration of 2ppm, 4ppm, and 6ppm were prepared. For Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn same method was adopted (Adepoju-Bello et al. , 2014). Expected OutcomesPharmaceutical manufacturing includes these processes extraction, processing, purification, and packaging of chemical materials to be used as medicines. The major stages of manufacturing includes primary processing, which is the production of the active ingredient or drug and in secondary processing, the conversion of the active ingredient into products suitable for administration. The air, liquid or solid waste is produce during or after the preparation of pharmaceutical products. The expected outcomes are that the effluent of pharmaceutical industry may contain a high or low concentration of heavy metals which may directly or indirectly affect the humans and other organisms or may deplete the environment. Air emissions and solid waste may also contaminate the environment. The high concentration of specific heavy metals used in pharmaceutical products may be harmful for the consumers, like severe kidney and brain damage can cause by these heavy metals and also cancer. As a result death can occur. (Momodu and Anyakora, et al. ,2010). Due to direct exposure to humans and other living organisms heavy metals can cause cancer. Due to this carcinogenic property, much attention has been paid to them. (Momodu and Anyakora, et al. ,2010). Pharmaceutical effluents affects mostly adults and children(Roberts,et al,. 1999)

Conclusion

It is concluded that inclusion of heavy metals like cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, chromium in medicinal plants are very dangerous for human health as they consumed heavy metals through different kinds of medication. There is a need for implement adequate effluent management ways before their release to water channels to overcome their serious environmental issues.