Health risk assessment of Macro, Trace-elements and heavy metal in various Indian Antidiabetic Polyherbal formulations

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a global pandemic, can be holistically managed with the use of polyherbal formulations which is an accessible form of treatment in developing countries due to fewer side effects, economical and easily available. Commercial polyherbal formulation lacks systemic based scientific study, thus it is suspected to be associated with many contaminations and related toxicities, one of which is considered to be elemental health hazards. Therefore, the present study is designed to assess six selected antidiabetic polyherbal formulations from the Indian market for their element contents, quality, and health risk assessment. Concentrations of 35 essential and non-essential trace-elements were quantified by Handheld X-ray spectrophotometer and health risk assessment was calculated by estimated daily intake (EDI) and Total hazard quotient (THQ). Elements were found to be in a vast range of concentration in the tested APH. Among the 35 elements analyzed, Ca (23100±0.033ppm) and K (14800±0.021 ppm) in "MH" and Zn (15600±0.025 ppm) in "DB" were found to be the highest. The lowest concentrations of Rb and Nb (3±2 ppm) were observed in the formulation "MH" and "SN" respectively. THQ of all the elements was calculated to be less than unity except for Rb in the formulation "MA". Rb is rarely associated with toxicities as it is rapidly excreted in sweat and urine. V, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Y, Ag, Sn, Sb, Ba, W, and Hg were absent in all the APH. Therefore the present study indicated the presence of essential elements some of which are important for the management of diabetes and hence can be considered safe for use.

Keywords: Antidiabetic polyherbal formulation; Handheld X-ray spectrophotometer; Health risk assessment; Heavy metals; Marco elements; Trace elements.