International International Archives of Medicine 2017

Medical Society Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58

http://imedicalsociety.org ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328

Identification of Macroelements and

Microelements in the Leaves of the Synadenium
Grantii Hook Used as Medicinal Plant in the Brazil
ORIGINAL

Igor Domingos de Souza1, Ana Lucia Alves de Arruda2, Anderson Fernandes da Silva1,
Rafaela Henriques Rosa2, Marcos Antonio Ferreira Júnior3, Valter Aragão do Nascimento4,
Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães5

1  School of Medicine, Postgraduation

Program in Health and Development
Abstract in the Middle West Region, Federal
University of Mato Grosso do Sul,
Introduction: The Synadenium grantii Hook f. species is a medici- Brazil, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
2  Faculdade Unigran Capital, Abrao Júlio
nal plant of the Euphorbiaceae family and is popularly known in the Rahe, 325, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Midwest regions of Brazil as leitosinha or janaúba. All the parts of 3  Federal University of Rio Grande
Synadenium grantii Hook f. as stem, latex, leaves and flowers are used do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil. Av.
Senador Salgado Filho, S/N, Campus
for the treatments of various disease, but no elemental composition Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal/RN.
has been done. 4  Scholl of Medicine, Postgraduation
Program in Health and Development
in the Middle West Region, Federal
Objective: The aim of present work was to measure the macroe- University of Mato Grosso do Sul,
lements (K, Mg, Mo and P) and microelements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Brazil, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Zn, Si, Ni, Co, Cd and Al) in the leaves of medicinal plant Synadenium 5  Postgraduation Program in Health
and Development in the Middle West
grantii Hook f. used in the treatment of diseases by rural and urban Region, Federal University of Mato
communities of the Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Grosso do Sul, Brazil, , Campo Grande,
Brazil. MS, Brazil.

Method: The chemical digestions of samples were prepared utilizing Contact information:
HNO3 and H2O2 and microwave digestion system Speedwave Berghof,
Valter Aragão do Nascimento.
Germany. After digestion, the concentrations of the elements in leaves
were determined by technique of Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical
Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) with a Dual Plasma (Thermo Scien- aragao60@hotmail.com
tific – iCAP 6000 Series)

Results: Results demonstrated that the Synadenium grantii Hook f.

leaves are source of K but aren't the best source of Na and P. Its lea-
ves are rich in elements such as Mg, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn. The
leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook f. showed a high content of Mg
values tolerable upper intake level. However, Fe, Na, P, Mn, Mo and

© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License This article is available at: www.intarchmed.com and www.medbrary.com 1
 International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328

Zn are below the values tolerable upper intake level. The leaves of
this plant have elements as Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd above the permissible
limit set by WHO and FAO.

Conclusions: The gaps in knowledge about the level of contents

in the Synadenium grantii Hook f. was completed in this work and Keywords
would serve as a tool for deciding the dosage of prepared from this Medicinal Plants; Synadenium
plant with medicinal purposes. Brazil should create legal standards Grantii Hook; Inductively
for the use of medicinal plants based on internationally practiced re- Coupled Plasma Mass
quirements. Spectrometry.

Introduction a little scientific evidence corroborating its usage

Frequently indigenous and urban populations used
plants as a mode of treatment of variety of ail-
ments. However, they do not know in detail how
a particular plant work- even though in medicinal
benefit is well established. In Pakistan, an effort
has been made to review the elemental contents
of ethno medicinally important plants [1]. As far as
herbal remedy chemical composition is concerned,
especially for traditional Indian [2] and Chinese re-
medies [3]. Also, to the best of our knowledge,
studies recent to on ancient Chinese herbal me-
dicine and molecular biology in the treatment of
myocardial infarction have been undertaken [4,5].
As well as additional studies confirmed the use
of herbal medicine for the treatment of vascular
dementia [6].
On the others hand in Brazil, few studies focus-
sed on detailed chemical analysis of the applied
medicinal plant. However, several Brazilian authors
have reported studies on the antimalarial plants
used by indigenous people [7], plants used as
antidiabetics and basic traditional knowledge on
the medical application of most commonly used
plants in some States of Brazil [8, 9]. A recent
Brazilian review showed that for the majority of
the medicinal plants used for weight loss, there is
[10]. Thus, the knowledge on compounds present
in medicinal plants and its role in health is scarce
and necessary.
The vegetation of Brazil has great wide variety of
medicinal plants, some of which are yet to be fully
studied. Medicinal plants species as Synadenium
grantii Hook f. grows in the fields and pastures or
urban area of Brazil and develops in hot tropical
climate with low rainfall. This species belongs to
the family Euphorbiaceae and is popularly known in
Brazil as leitosinha or janaúba, also is commonly
called African Milk Bush. It is small tree native to
East Central Africa. In nature, the plants will reach
up to 5 m in height [11].
In folk medicine the latex of Synadenium grantii
Hook f. to treat neoplasic diseases and gastric di-
sorders such as peptic ulcers and gastritis inflam-
matory [12]. Moreover, studies in animals showed
that the latex extracts of Synadenium grantii Hook f.
has anti-ulcer activity without causing toxicity [12].
The cytotoxicity as well as the antiparasitic activity
of the CHCl3 extract of Synadenium grantii Hook
f. leaves was performed and proved to be active
[13]. According with others studies, the Synadenium
grantii Hook f. have antioxidant properties; results
showed these biological activities may be associated

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 International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328

with the presence of flavonoids and terpenes, as microwave digestion, were determined by induc-
revealed by HPLC and NMR analyses of the crude tively coupled plasma - optical emission spectros-
stem bark extract [14]. copy (ICP-OES).
All the parts of Synadenium grantii Hook f. as
stem, leaves and flowers reported are used for the
treatments of various disease, but no elemental Materials and Methods
composition has been done. It is very important
determine the concentration of macroelements Research area
and microelements in medicinal plants to know if The leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook f. were co-
these concentration are above the limits Tolerable llected in June 2016 in an urban area in the city of
Upper Intake Level, that is, maximum daily intake Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, with the
of nutrients that can pose a risk of adverse effects coordenates 20°28’43”S and 54°38’28”W, altitude
on health. Macroelements (sodium, potassium, cal- of 551 m. The Figure 1 has the Geographic coordi-
cium, magnesium, phosphorus) and microelements nates of Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do
(iron, manganese, zinc, cobalt, copper, chromium, Sul, Brazil, which was used in mapping and naviga-
lead, nickel, cadmium, aluminum, selenium, sul- tion, including GPS satellite navigation system (the
fur, arsenic, selenium) are elemental constituents Global Positioning System).
of these medicinal plants and often poses human
lives at risk, these elements can also be dangerous Figure 1: G
eographic coordinates of Campo
and toxic [15]. Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul,
In addition, the above considerations, the deficien- Midwest region of Brazil.
cy of certain elements also cause disease in human
and plants. Several ethnopharmacology studies have
proved that there was relationship between microe-
lements or macroelements and efficacy of herbal
medicine, human health, and disease prevention [1].
In Brazil, the dose rate of medicinal plants is not well
defined. These precautions are indispensable when
larger amounts of the products are consumed and
long-term therapy is undertaken. Thus, know the
concentration of minerals in medicinal plants is very
important and need to be screened for their quality
control.
The aim of present work was to measure for the
first time the macroelements and microelements in In the Figure 2, there are images of Synadenium
the leaves of medicinal plant Synadenium grantii grantii Hook f. (Euphorbiaceae), popularly known
Hook f. used in the treatment of diseases by ru- as Janaúba, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul
ral and urban communities of the Campo Gran- State, Brazil. The specimen was identified by Fábia
de, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. There are Alves and deposited (No 53971) in the herbarium
no studies published on chemical composition of of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul
leaves this plant in Brazil or others country. The (UFMS), Brazil.
macroelements and microelements content, after

© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 3


Figure 2: S ynadenium grantii Hook f. (Euphor-
biaceae), popularly known as Janaúba,
Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul
State, Brazil.
Elemental analysis by ICP-OES technique
The leaves were oven dried at the temperature of
50°C for 24 hours. The dried samples were then
ground with a manual grinder into powder and
sieve to get very fine powder. It was then weig-
hed and digested in HNO3 + H2O2 mixture. Diges-
tions of the samples in triplicate were prepared as
follows: processed with mixture of 0.5 g sample
plus 5 mL HNO3 (65% Merck) and 3 mL H2O2
(35%, Merck Millipore) in the microwave diges-
tion system Speedwave Berghof, Germany. After
digestion, samples were diluted to 100 mL with
ultrapure water. Since the final acid concentration
of the samples was quite high (4% HNO3).
The concentrations of the elements in leaves
were determined by technique of Inductively Cou-
pled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-
OES) with a Dual Plasma (Thermo Scientific – iCAP
6000 Series). ICP-OES elemental analysis techni-
que that uses the emission spectra of a sample
to identify, and quantify the elements present.
The emission line selected for the determination of
elements (wavelength in nm) were: K (766.490), Mg
(285.213), Na (589.592), Cr (283.563), Cu (327.396),
Fe (259.940), Mn (259.373), Mo (202.030), Zn
(206.200), P (177.495), Si (212.412), Ni (221.647),
Co (228.616), Cd (226.502) and Al (167.079). The
concentrations of the different elements in these
4 This article is available at: www.intarchmed.com and www.medbrary.com
International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
s amples were determined using the corresponding
standard calibration curves obtained by using stan-
dard solutions of the elements of interest. Triplicate
analyses were performed on each sample.
Basic requirements of comparative.
The concentration of elements obtained in the lea-
ves of Sinadenium grantii Hook f. was compared
with the following recommended values:
• Recommended dietary allowance (RDA): ave-
rage daily level of intake sufficient to meet
the nutrient requirements of 98% of healthy
people.
• Adequate Intake (AI): used where no RDA has
been established. It is a recommended avera-
ge daily nutrient intake level for a group (or
groups) of apparently healthy people.
• Tolerable upper intake levels (ULs): the hig-
hest level of daily nutrient consumption that
is considered to be safe for, and cause no risk
of adverse health effects in, 97.5% of healthy
individuals in each life-stage and sex group.
In the absence of established RDA or data on
Adequate Intake (AI), the values of concentration
of macroelements and microelements obtained
in this manuscript are compared with permissi-
ble limit set by FAO/WHO (Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations/World Health
Organization) or with evidence of medicinal plants’
results published.
Elemental concentration of leaves of Synadenium
grantii were compared with the Ricinus communis
L. and Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf., both plants
belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae.
Results and Discussion
In Table 1, the concentrations of the elements de-
termined in the analyzed leaves of Synadenium
grantii Hook f. are shown as an arithmetic means
and standard deviation. In addition, results avera-
ge concentration of elements measured in the lea-
 International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328

Table 1. E lemental concentration (mg/100g ± standard deviation) of leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook
f. compared to Ricinus communis L., Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. and values tolerable upper
intake levels (ULs) for adults.
Our data Synadenium Ricinus communis Chrozophora tinctoria Tolerable Upper Intake
grantii L. [16] (L.) Raf. [16] Levels (ULs)
Leaf (mg/100g) Leaf (mg/100g) Leaf (mg/100g) mg/day(adults)
Macroelements
K 1,364.317±51.320 2.71±0.00 2.707±0.002 ND
Mg 133.188 ±16.904 0.9992±0.2226 0.9083±0.0636 350¹
Na 63.833±0.206 0.2235±0.010 0.1555±0.0108 2,300
P 50.94±23.00 ND ND 4,000
Microelements
Cr 0.489±0.016 ND ND ND
Cu 0.910±0.001 0.005±0.0059 0.006±0.0023 10
Fe 8.345±0.275 2.735±0.0113 0.2989±0.0258 45
Mn 1.047±0.125 0.0216±0.006 0.013±0.0017 11
Mo 0.522±0.004 0.0027±0.0045 0.001±0.0048 2
Zn 3.621±1.580 0.170±0.0025 0.232±0.0025 40
Si 23.524±3.012 ND ND ND
Ni 1.951±0.222 ND ND 1
Co 1.723±0.117 ND ND ND
Cd 0.044±0.004 ND ND ND
Al 13.498±0.072 0.033±0.0558 1.183±0.375 ND
¹: The UL for magnesium is determined by supplementation only and does not regard the ingestion from food or water.
ND: Not detected

ves of Ricinus communis L., leaves of Chrozophora Microelements

tinctoria (L.) Raf. and values tolerable upper intake
level (UL) are listed in Table 1. The results obtained
within the framework of this study were compared
with the estimates based on the regulatory limits
of the WHO/FAO, recommended dietary allowance
(RDA), adequate intake (AI), tolerable upper intake
levels (ULs) and published studies involving medi-
cinal plants when available in the literature. In the
present work, the concentration of macroelements
in leaves decreases in the order: K > Mg > Na >
P. As well as the concentration of microelements
in the leaves also decreases in the order: Si > Al >
Fe > Zn > Ni > Co > Mn > Cu > Mo > Cr > Cd.
Among the various elements K, Mg, Al, Fe are
found present at the major level. On the other
hand, Cr and Mo are at minor level.
Potassium (K)
It is observed that amongst all the elements stu-
died in the analysed sample, potassium accumu-
lation is the highest in Synadenium grantii Hook
f. than the concentration of other metals. The
present study revealed that the concentration of
potassium in leaves of Synadenium grantii was
1,364.317 mg/100g, being much higher than the
concentration in leaves of Ricinius cummunis L.
2.71 mg/100g followed by 2.70 mg/100g of Chro-
zophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. [16]. For healthy adults,
the adequate intake (AI) for potassium is set 4,700
mg/day [17], our results demonstrated that the
Synadenium grantii Hook f leaves are good food
source in potassium. The plant Trigonella foenum-
graecum L. of family Euphorbiaceae also exhibit
higher potassium concentration 910.3 mg/100g

© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 5


[18]. Potassium is of great importance for electro-
lyte balance in systems in the body. The tolerable
upper intake levels (ULs) are not established for
potassium. However, according studies the higher
potassium intake was associated with a lower risk
of stroke [19].
Magnesium (Mg)
In Table 1, a higher concentration of magnesium is
found in the leaves of Synadenium Grantti Hook
f. 23.34 mg/100g, while for Ricinnus cummunis
L. and Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. are 0.9992
mg/100g and 0.9083 mg/100g [16]. The recom-
mended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium
for adults is established the mean intake of 355
mg/day [20]. So, the Synadenium grantii Hook f. is
food rich of magnesium. There is not current data
to establish a safe upper level for the magnesium
intake. Magnesium is important to cells, enzymes
involved in proteins and metabolism [21]. The UL
for magnesium is determined by supplementation
only (350 mg/day) and does not regard the inges-
tion from food or water [20]. Although in lower
concentrations when compared to UL, the mag-
nesium content obtained of the leaves of plants
would pose a risk of adverse effects on health.
That is, some macroelements consumed at very
high levels and during long time could cause to-
xicity. Our results indicated that the Synadenium
grantii Hook f. plant showed a high content of Mg
as well as previous findings of Trigonella foenum-
graecum L. [18, 22].
Sodium (Na)
In Table 1, in relation to macroelements, the lowest
concentration detected of Na in the leaves of Sy-
nadenium grantii Hook f. were 63.83 mg/100g,
which differed from the findings of others results
as Ricinus cummunis L. (0.2235 mg/100g) and
Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. (0.155 mg/100g)
[16]. In Table 1, similar to our present study, all
plants show low concentration of sodium. Consi-
6 This article is available at: www.intarchmed.com and www.medbrary.com
International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
dering the adequate intake of sodium for adults
of 1,500 mg/day [17], Synadenium grantii Hook f.
is not considered a source of sodium. Moreover,
the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for consuming
of sodium in adults is 2,300 mg/day [17]. So, the
results in Table 1 are below the values tolerable
upper intake level. High dietary sodium intakes in-
crease the development of hypertension and the
atherosclerotic vascular diseases [23].
Phosphorus (P)
In Table 1, concentration detected of phosphorus
in the leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook f were
50.94 mg/100g. In work published in Ref. [16]
was not detected the phosphorus concentrations
in the leaves of the Ricinus communis L. and leaves
of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. The RDA for daily
Phosphorus in adults is established the mean intake
of 700 milligrams per day [20]. From this compari-
son, the present study indicates that leaves of the
Synadenium grantii are not source in phosphorus.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for phosphorus
is 4,000 mg/day for generally healthy adults [20].
In this case specifically, the contents of phosphorus
obtained of the leaves Synadenium grantii Hook f.
were well below the permissible limit. Phosphorus is
estrogenic, immuno stimulant and anti-osteoporotic
[24].
Macroelements
Chromium (Cr)
In Table 1, chromium (Cr) contents were 0,489
mg/100g for the Synadenium grantii Hook f. lea-
ves. In work published in Ref. [16] is not informed
the average value of the chromium concentration
obtained for Ricinus communis L. and Chrozophora
tinctoria (L.) Raf. Considering the adequate intake
of c hromium for adults of 0.030 mg/day [25], lea-
ves of this plant is rich in chromium. The permissible
limit set by FAO/WHO (1984) in edible plants was
0.002 mg/100g. The permissible limit of chromium
in finished herbal products is 0.02 mg/day recom-

mended by WHO [26]. After cooperation of resear-
ches data above, the concentration of chromium in
Sinadenium grantii Hook f. was recorded above the
permissible limit set by FAO/WHO.
Moreover, the tolerable upper intake level (UL)
for consuming of chromium in adult is not esta-
blished yet. The beneficial effects of supplemental
chromium in individuals with type 2 diabetes were
observed at levels higher than the upper limit of
the estimated safe and adequate daily dietary In-
take [27].
Copper (Cu)
Copper contents were 0.910 mg/100g for the Sy-
nadenium grantii Hook f. leaves respectively (Ta-
ble 1). In our study, copper content in the leaves
of Synadenium grantii Hook f. is highest than the
concentration obtained for Ricinus communis L.
(0.005 mg/100g) and Chrozophora tinctoria (L.)
Raf. (0.006 mg/100g) [16]. The recommended
dietary allowance (RDA) of copper for adult men
and women is 0.9 mg/day [25]. The present results
indicate that leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook
are rich in copper.
The permissible limit of copper set by FAO/WHO
(1984) in edible plants is 0.3 mg/100g, and accor-
ding to ref. [28], the permissible limit recommended
by WHO of copper for plants is 1mg/100g. Howe-
ver, some countries as China and Singapore had
set limits for copper in medicinal plants at 20 and
0.150 mg/g [26]. Our results indicate that the copper
concentration detected in the Synadenium grantii
Hook f. leaves are above the values established by
FAO/WHO (1984) and smaller than the stipulated
value for plants by the WHO, but within the limits
adopted by other countries. The tolerable upper
intake level (UL) for consuming of copper in adults
is 10 mg/day [25]. Therefore, the results in Table 1
for copper are below the values adequate intake
and tolerable upper intake level. In humans, Cu is
necessary for bones and for proper absorption of
iron and for vitamin C. Acute Cu intoxication leads
© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
to gastrointestinal effects in the form of nausea,
vomiting and crampy abdominal pain [29].
Iron (Fe)
In our study, the iron content obtained were 8.345
mg/100g in the leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook
f., its value is highest than the concentration obtai-
ned for Ricinus communis L. 2.735 mg/100g) and
Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. (0.2989 mg/100g).
Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iron for
adults is established the mean intake of 13 mg/
day [25]. After comparison, the present study in-
dicates that leaves of the Synadenium grantii are
rich in iron. The regulatory limits of the WHO/
FAO (2005) have not been established yet for the
iron in herbal medicines. The permissible limited
set by FAO/WHO (1984) in edible plants was 2
mg/100g [30]. However, the concentrations of iron
presented in the Table 1 are minor that the values
tolerable upper intake level (45 mg/day) [25], so
that, concentration of iron obtained in leaves of
Synadenium grantii H o o k f. are below the values
tolerable upper intake level. Iron (Fe) is necessary
for the proper functioning of the liver and trans-
porting oxygen in the blood to all parts of the body
[31]. Iron deficiency negatively influences the normal
defense systems against infections.
Manganese (Mn)
In Table 1, our results show that the manganese
contents were 1.047 mg/100g in the leaves of Sy-
nadenium grantii Hook f. Unlike the present study
[16] reported low Mn contents (0.0216 mg/100g) in
the Ricinus communis L. and Chrozophora tinctoria
(L.) Raf. (0.013 mg/100g). Considering the adequate
intake of manganese of 2.5 mg/day [25], the leaves
of Synadenium grantii is food rich in manganese.
However, for manganese in medicinal plants limits
not yet been established by WHO (2005) [26]. The
upper intake level (UL) for consuming of manganese
in adults is 11 mg/day [25]. Therefore, the results
in table 1 for manganese are below the values to-
7

lerable upper intake level. Manganese is a part of
enzymes involved in urea formation, pyruvate me-
tabolism and the galactotransferase of connective
tissue biosynthesis [32].
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum contents in the leaves of Synadenium
grantii Hook f. were 0.522 mg/100g respectively
(see Table 1). In our study, molybdenum content
in the leaves of Synadenium grantii is highest than
the concentration obtained for Ricinus communis
L. (0.001 mg/100g) and Chrozophora tinctoria (L.)
Raf. (0.001 mg/100g) [16]. The RDA of molybde-
num for adults is established the mean intake of
0.045 mg/day [25]. The present results indicate
that leaves of Synadenium grantii H o o k f. are
rich in molybdenum. The values of dietary intake
of Mo are scarce in the literature reports in Brazil
and others countries. This is important information
required in assessing risks to human health due to
their overburden. In animals and man, molybdenum
has been recognized as an essential component
of the metalloenzyme xanthine oxidase, aldehyde
oxidase and sulphite oxidase [33]. Dietary molybde-
num affects copper metabolism in man [34]. The
tolerable upper intake level (UL) for consuming of
molybdenum in adults is 2 mg/day [25]. Thus, the
results in table 1 for molybdenum are below the
values tolerable upper intake level.
Zinc (Zn)
In our work, in relation to Synadenium grantii
Hook f. leaves were obtained the amount of zinc
3.621 mg/100g, others works ranged between
0.170 mg/100g for Ricinus communis L. and 0.232
mg/100g for Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. There
are no limits of zinc concentration in medicinal plants
by the World Health Organization [26]. Recommen-
ded dietary allowance (RDA) of zinc for adults is
established the mean intake of 9.5 mg/day [25].
Therefore, leaves of the Synadenium grantii H o o k
f. are food rich in zinc. Recommendation of zinc is
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International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
beneficial in the treatment of several disorders, such
as several pro-inflammatory conditions and cancer
[35]. The concentrations of zinc presented in the
Table 1 are minor that the values tolerable upper
intake level (40 mg/day) [25].
Silicon (Si)
According to data in Table 1, the contents silicon
was 23.524 mg/100g in Synadenium grantii Hook
f. leaves. In work published in Ref. [16] was not
detected the silicon concentrations in the leaves of
the Ricinus communis L. and leaves of Chrozophora
tinctoria (L.) Raf. There are no established a permis-
sible criteria for level of silicon in herbs medicinal.
The daily intake from the British diet has been esti-
mated to 20-50 mg corresponds to 0.3-0.8 mg/kg
body weight/day in a 60 kg person [36]. There is
evidence that silicon is important in bone formation.
Although the main source of silicon for humans
is the diet, the bioavailability of silicon from solid
foods is not fully understood [37]. There is not tole-
rable upper intake level (UL) for consuming of silicon
in adults. However, the result in Table 1 for silicon
is within limit the daily intake from the British diet.
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel concentrations detected in the leaves of
Synadenium grantii Hook f. were 1.951 mg/100g
(Table 1). In Ref. [16] was not detected the nickel
concentrations in the leaves of the Ricinus communis
L. and leaves of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. The
recommended daily amounts of nickel are not fixed.
However, according to Food and Agriculture Orga-
nization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1984 the
permissible limit in edible plants is 0.163 mg/100g
[30]. From of information about metal limit in me-
dicinal plants proposed by FAO/WHO (1984) it is
found that the leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook
f. accumulate Ni above this limit. No limit yet been
given by WHO in 2005 for Ni in medicinal plants.
Studies have shown that Ni is toxic as evidenced by
lipid peroxidative damage to placental membrane;

in this case, the metabolic change may be responsi-
ble for decreased placental viability, altered permea-
bility, and potential subsequent embryotoxicity [38].
The concentration of nickel presented in the Table 1
are above of the values tolerable upper intake level
(1 mg/day).
Cobalt (Co)
The contents of cobalt varied from 1.723 mg/100 g
in the leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook f. Results
on Mentha piperita shown 0.026 mg/100 g of co-
balt in a Spanish study [39]. In work published in
Ref. [16] was not detected the cobalt concentra-
tions in the leaves of the Ricinus communis L. and
leaves of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. A safe re-
commended dietary allowance (RDA) or adequate
intake for cobalt (Co) hasn’t been set yet. Neither
has cobalt been assessed in relation to the WHO
guidelines for drinking-water. Until now, cobalt has
not been evaluated by competent organs in order
to establish a tolerable upper intake level. Cobalt is
part of vitamin B12; the recommended daily intake
of vitamin B12 for an adult in the USA was 3 μg,
corresponding to 0.012 μg of cobalt [39]. Cobalt is
not easily absorbed from the digestive tract. In fact,
clinical studies have shown that maximum cobalt
whole blood concentrations between 9.4 and 117
μg/L were not associated with clinically significant
changes in hematological and basic clinical varia-
bles [40]. However, cobalt(II) complexes have been
synthesized with a series on non-steroid anti-in-
flammatory drugs. Complexes exhibit noteworthy
antioxidant activity and significant binding affinity
for serum albumins and calf-thymus DNA [41].
Cadmium (Cd)
The contents of cadmium varied from 0.044
mg/100g in the leaves of Synadenium grantii Hook
f. In work published in Ref. [16] was not detected
the cadmium concentrations in the leaves of the Ri-
cinus communis L. and leaves of Chrozophora tinc-
toria (L.) Raf. A safe recommended dietary allowan-
© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
ce (RDA) or adequate intake for cadmium (Cd) hasn’t
been set yet. For medicinal plants the permissible
limit for cadmium set by WHO and others countries
was 0.03 mg/100g [26]. The FAO/WHO (1984) has
set in edible plants was 0.021 mg/100g [30]. There
is not tolerable upper intake level (UL) for consuming
of cadmium in adults. The average daily cadmium
obtained in our work is above the guidelines esta-
blished by the WHO e FAO/WHO. Cadmium is not
at present believed to be an essential nutrient for
animals or man. Humans normally absorb cadmium
into the body either by ingestion or inhalation. Ac-
cording to published studies, cadmium causes acute
and chronic poisoning [42]. There is little general
agreement about acceptable safety limits for cad-
mium intake. Evidence is insufficient to determine
an association between exposure to cadmium and
reproductive effects in humans.
Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum contents were 13.498 mg/100g for
the Synadenium grantii Hook f. leaves respecti-
vely. On others works published ranged between
0.033 mg/100g for Ricinus communis L. and 1.118
mg/100g for Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. There
are not RDA and adequate intake for aluminum (Al).
According to FDA’s 1993 total diet study dietary ex-
posure model and the 1987–1988 U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Nationwide Food Consump-
tion Survey, the authors estimated daily aluminum
intakes 0.12 mg Al/kg/day for adult males and fe-
males [43]. However, excessive intake of aluminum
results in pathological aberrations such amnesia in
young people. Aluminum is present in the brain of
patients with Alzheimer disease [44].
Conclusions
First comprehensive study on determination of con-
tents in the leaves of the Synadenium grantii is of
great importance to understand the pharmacologi-
cal action of this plant. The data obtained in the
9

manuscript on elemental compositions of leaves of
Synadenium grantii will be useful in deciding the
dosage of the drugs prepared from the plant and
thus will be helpful in synthesis of new modern
drugs. Our studies demonstrated that the Synade-
nium grantii Hook f. leaves are good source in K but
not Na and P. However, leaves of Synadenium grantii
Hook f. are rich in elements such as Mg, Cr, Cu, Fe,
Mn, Mo and Zn. The aluminum does not have nu-
tritional function. There are not Recommendation
(RDA) and Adequate Intake for aluminum (Al).
Unlike the Ricinus communis L. and plants Chro-
zophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. in leaves of the Sina-
denium granti Hook f. was detected elements as
phosphorus, silicon, nickel, cobalt and cadmium.
The contents of macroelements and microelements
in the leaves of Synadenium grantii is highest than
contents in the leaves of Ricinus communis L. and
Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. These different was
could be due to mineral composition of the soil and
its surrounding climatological conditions.
The leaves of Synadenium grantii showed a high
content of Mg values tolerable upper intake level.
However, Fe, Na, P, Mn, Mo and Zn are below the
values tolerable upper intake level.
After comparison, metal limit in the studied me-
dicinal plants with those proposed by FAO/WHO
(1984) it is found that this plant have Ni, Cu, Cr,
Cd above this limit above the permissible limit set
by WHO and FAO.
There are no established a permissible criteria for
level of silicon in herbs medicinal. Silicon is within
limit the daily intake from the British diet. Cobalt has
not been evaluated by competent organs in order to
establish a tolerable upper intake level.
As Synadenium grantii Hook f. has macroelements
and microelements in ample amount, it can be used
as a good natural dietary supplementary as well
as therapeutics uses. Since it not exceed allowable
limits set by WHO and FAO, RDA and UL
The use of Medicinal plants acquired in public
markets, herbal shops, by urban populations can-
10
International Archives of Medicine 2017
Section: Toxicology & Therapeutics Vol. 10 No. 58
ISSN: 1755-7682 doi: 10.3823/2328
not be ignored because the element toxicity risk
assessment is bases rather on habitual than on
incidental intake. Brazil should create legal stan-
dards for the use of medicinal plants based on
internationally practiced requirements.
Conflict of interest disclosure
The authors declare that there is no conflict of
interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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