Trace element content of ginger and sage medicinal plants from Algeria

doi:10.4236/health.2011.39091

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Vol.3, No.9, 542-544 (2011)

doi:10.4236/health.2011.39091

Health

Trace element content of ginger and sage medicinal

plants from Algeria

Zohra Lamari*, Rachid Larbi, Benaouda Yagoubi

COMENA/Research Nuclear Center of Draria, NUR Reactor Division, Draria, Algeria; *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Received 14 January 2010; revised 5 February 2010; accepted 10 March 2010.

ABSTRACT

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis has

been used to make a multi-elemental determi-

nation in the Zingiber officinalis and Salvia offi-

cinalis, plants used in traditional medicine

therapy in Algeria and in most countries. The

concentrations of five elements Co, Cr, Sc, Sb

and Rb have been determined by long irradia-

tion time with 2.7E13 n·cm–2·s–1 thermal flux us-

ing a NUR Algerian Reactor. All these elements

are present at trace levels. Their implications in

Human health are herein discussed. The quality

control of the measurements have been evalu-

ated by analysing a HAY (V-10) IAEA-Standard

reference material.

Keywords: Medicinal Plants; Trace El ement;

Biological Effects; INAA

1. INTRODUCTION

Sage and ginger are folk medicinal plants adminis-

tered in many ways in several countries for their virtues.

Partly as food additives as well as treatments for a lot of

diseases. In the forms of infusion, in liquid or dry ex-

tracts, sage has been used to treat inflammations of mu-

cous membranes such as pharyngitis caused by a viral

infection [1]. In asso ciation with other plants it has been

used to cure lesions caused by labial herpes [2]. One (01)

g per day sage in the form of extract would be advanta-

geous for the illness known as Alzheimers. It has also

been used for calming the agitation of patients [3]. Some

authors reported that the administering of dried sage

sheets made it possible to improve memory, good hu-

mour and reduce anxiety [4] in patients, as well. Sage as

a dry aqueous extract in the proportion of 440 mg per

day or an infusion of 4.5 g per day also has had an anti

sudorific action [5]. Another study reportedly concern-

ing 30 women showed that an extract containing sage

and alfalfa relieved the hot flashes of menopause [6].

Observations in the laboratory has shown the antibacte-

rial and antiviral properties of sage [7,8]. We attributed

these anti inflammatory and neuroprotectrice effects to

its rosmarinic acid content [5,9]. Other of its organic

compounds such as cafeic acid, confer an antioxidant

action. Ginger was one of the first Eastern spices to be

consumed in Europe. Its rhizome is rich in minerals but

its low concentration of sodi um will adap t it perfectly to

a regime without salt. It will aid in digestion and will act

against motion sickness, tran sport pain as well as nausea

and the vomiting related to pregnancy. In addition, the

antioxidants which it contains would intervene in the

prevention of the cardiovascular diseases and certain

cancers. This plant can be consumed fresh, in powder

form or crystallized in sugar.

The objective of this work is to evaluate the mineral

composition of these plants which would be a great ad-

vantage in human health. Although the classification of

the elements is rather difficult, some authors classify the

elements as: essential; probably essential; and toxic

[10-14]. The elements known as essential are: Co, Cr, Sc

and Rb which play a big role in the constitution and

maintenance of good health. However, these elements

can be toxic to the body when large amounts are taken

[15]. Because of this potential danger, administered

doses are recommended by several international organi-

zations such as FAO, WHO and the United States Na-

tional Research Council [1 0,16].

2. EXPERIMENTAL

2.1. Medicinal Plants Collection

Sage was collected from the Algerian national bo-

tanical garden (Jardin d’Essai El-Hamma) in Algiers.

Ginger was purchased in the fresh form of rhizome from

a local herbalist. Each plant was washed in de-mineral-

ized water, then the sheets of sage and the roots of the

ginger were dried using an IR lamp for one week. The

dried samples were then ground into fine powder in an

automatic agate mortar.

Z. Lamari et al. / Health 3 (2011) 542-544

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2.2. Elemental Determination by INAA

The powdered samples of ginger roots and sheets of

sage were individually packed in polyethylene pastilles

of twelve 12 mm diameters. These samples were treated

in association with certified standards (IAEA-SL-1,

IAEA-SOIL-7). Respectively, a lake sediment and a soil,

then irradiated in a NUR research reactor. For the INAA

analysis process, one irradiation sheme was carried out a

long irradiation time. Between 100 to 200 mg of samples

were weighed, put in aluminum capsules and irradiated

in the thermal column of NUR Reactor. Together with

standard reference materials, for six (06) hours with

2.7E13 n·cm–2·s–1 thermal flux and 2.13E12 n·cm–2·s–1

epithermal flux. After decaying for fifteen (15) days

these samples were removed to appropriate containers

and counted for ten (10) hours and four (04) hours, re-

spectively for the samples and standards using a high

rate spectroscopy system.

A HpGe detector having a 10% relative efficiency and

a FWHM of 2.0 KeV for the 60Co 1332.5 keV gamma

ray line were used for the counting system. The meas-

urements for both samples and standards were repeated

after two weeks. The accuracy of the measurements has

been evaluated by analizing the biological reference ma-

terial AIEA-V-10 (Hay).

3. RESULTS AND DIS CUSSION

Table 1 shows the average concentration of five ele-

ments analized in the dried rhizome of ginger and dried

sheets of sage. These concentrations were reported with

standard deviations. Figure 1 shows the typical gamma

spectrum obtained for Zingiber officinalis and Salvia

officinalis.

The quality control of the measurement was estab-

lished from the results of analizing AIEA-V-10 (Hay)

standard reference material and as shown in Table 2.

For most of the elements the best agreement between

the measured values and the certified values was ob-

tained. Except for the cobalt, the certified value is a

double of the measured value. The elements f ound in th e

dried plants were: Co, Cr, Sb, Sc and Rb. All were pre-

sent at trace levels. The Co and Cr are essential compo-

nents for men and animals. The importance of cobalt is

that the components vitamin B12 and chromium are

known to be involved in glucose metabolism. It is a

beneficial nutrient but it can be Carcinogenic. That de-

pends on its amount and its chemical form [18]. A Federal

Table 1. Average elemental concentrations and standard de-

viations (µg/g) of the Zingiber officinalis and Salvia officinalis.

Element Zingiber Officina le Salvia Officinalis

Co 0.480 ± 0.045 0.845 ± 0.081

Cr 0.57 ± 0.12 1.67 ± 0.35

Sc 0.099 ± 0.012 0.520 ± 0.065

Sb 0.0240 ± 0.0025 0.107 ± 0.013

Rb 3.12 ± 0.27 6.430 ± 0.567

Table 2. Average elemental concentrations and standard de-

viations (µg/g) of the IAEA-certified material V10 (HAY).

V10 (Hay Powder)

Element Measured value Reported value [17]

Co 0.067 ± 0.007 0.13 ± 0.015

Cr 4.06 ± 1.15 6.5 ± 0.75

Sc 0.012 ± 0.002 0.014 ± 1.5 E-4

Rb 8.48 ± 0.82 7.6 ± 0.25

Sb *

*No reported value.

Figure 1. Typical long-lived spectrum induced by thermal neutrons for the Zingiber officinalis.

Z. Lamari et al. / Health 3 (2011) 542-544

544

agency in the USA has prepared the toxicological profile

[19].

Although there are no reported physiological effects

of Rb; its accumulation in the body system could be det-

rimental to health [20]. The Sc is a rare element wh ich in

small quantities tends to accumulate in the liver when it

is absorbed. The antimony is naturally found in the en-

vironment and is used in medicine therapy for parasitic

infections, but persons who have taken too much of

these medicines will have health problems which will

make them more conscious of the dangers of this ele-

ment.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The INAA represen ts a good techn ique for analysis of

biological samples and determining trace elements. The

potentiel curative action of these herbs is linked to their

organic and mineral composition. Sage and ginger have

been used many times in Algeria in traditional medicine

therapy. They can be an excellent natural source of min-

eral trace elements intervening in physiological regula-

tions, but they sh ould be admin istered with pr ecaution to

avoid the bioaccumulation of these same elements

whose presence can be dangerous in maintaining good

health.

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