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Concentration, Source, and Health Risk of Trace Metals in Some Liquid Herbal Medicine Sold in Nigeria

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Abstract

The ingestion of toxic metals through liquid herbal medicine over a long period of time, and in excessive dose, may result in chronic accumulation that could cause disorder to several organs of the body. This study evaluated the concentration, source, and probable health risk of 8 trace metals in liquid herbal medicines sold in Nigeria. Triplicate samples of 10 different brands of liquid herbal formulations were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Elemental concentrations (mg L−1) ranged as < 0.00120 (nickel), 0.329–1.23 (zinc), < 0.00150–0.0750 (chromium), 0.565–6.94 (manganese), 1.75–19.4 (iron), < 0.00150–0.266 (cobalt),  < 0.0018–3.01 (lead), and < 0.00900–0.0281 (copper). The estimated hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) of trace metals (zinc, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, lead, and copper) were < 1.00, except for one of the herbal products which depicted a value of < 1.50, an indication that there is no major probable health effect due to exposure. Carcinogenic risks were lower than the threshold level of 10.0−6–10.0−4; this probably reflects non-existent carcinogenic risk in both age groups. The principal component analysis revealed the likelihood of geogenic and anthropogenic activities as indirect sources of trace metals in the herbs. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, AAB and AHM herbal mixtures showed strong similarities in cluster 1, while the remaining herbs reflected identical association within cluster 2. Based on the results of this study, there is need to periodically monitor levels of toxic metals in herbal medicine in order to ensure regulatory compliance and safeguard the health of its consumers.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very much thankful to Anal Concept Limited, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for supporting with the laboratory analysis of test samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Bayelsa Medical University, Bayelsa State, Yenagoa, Nigeria

    Sylvester Chibueze Izah

  2. Department of Environment, Research and Development, Anal Concept Limited, Elelenwo, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua

  3. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Glory Richard

Authors
  1. Sylvester Chibueze Izah
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  2. Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua
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  3. Glory Richard
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Contributions

The first author conceived the idea of this work, carried out the bulk of statistical analysis, and participated in writing the initial draft manuscript. The second author carried out field data/sample collection, laboratory analysis, carried out PCA statistics, and writing of the analytical methodology, while the third author assisted in the interpretation of data and participated in composing the initial draft. All authors fine-tuned and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sylvester Chibueze Izah.

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Ethical approved was obtained from the research and ethics committee of Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

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Izah, S.C., Aigberua, A.O. & Richard, G. Concentration, Source, and Health Risk of Trace Metals in Some Liquid Herbal Medicine Sold in Nigeria. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 3009–3022 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02879-9

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