Trace elements may be responsible for medicinal effects of Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea involucrate, Lycium barbarum and Lycium ruthenicum

Abstract

Background: The pharmacodynamics of Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea involucrata, Lycium barbarum and Lycium ruthenicum have been researched, and trace elements have been considered as the essential elements, but little attention has been paid to the trace elements of the herbal medicine. We would like to report on the content of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels in the four herbal medicines.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 whole plant materials were collected of each species in China. The content of Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn in the dried aerial parts was estimated by the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The level of Se was detected using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Results: The mean concentrations of Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Se in S. laniceps were 7.758±0.924μg/g, 201.3±16.24μg/g, 222.7±35.10μg/g, 18.48±2.913μg/g and 1.42±0.16μg/g, respectively; S. involucrata were 19.56±2.20μg/g, 88.75±8.53μg/g, 812.7±126.9μg/g, 34.85±3.81μg/g and 1.04±0.05μg/g, respectively; L. barbarum were 10.83±0.26μg/g, 9.598±0.32μg/g, 55.65±3.83μg/g, 11.92±0.27μg/g and 11.84±0.59μg/kg, respectively; L. ruthenicum were 12.67±0.39μg/g, 13.78±1.13μg/g, 98.04±5.03μg/g, 14.46±1.27μg/g and 35.12±2.34μg/kg, respectively.

Conclusion: This study provided the trace elements content of Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Se in the four herbal medicines. The trace elements are maybe other functional compounds for medicinal effects. Deep relationship between pharmacological and trace elements contents, especially its mechanism of action should be future research.

Keywords: Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea involucrata, Lycium barbarum, Lycium ruthenicum, trace elements content, traditional Chinese Medicine