Elemental Assessment of Four Popular African Immunity Boosting Medicinal Plants Marketed in Ede Local Market, Nigeria


Authors : Abibu, M.A.; Taleat, A.A.T.; Olaoluwa, D.T.; Muraina, T.A.; Adenipekun, O.D.; Adeniyi, B.O.

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5bujc3mr

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/45ypmyc7

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14621451

Abstract : Essential elements occur naturally in medicinal plants and plant extracts to support immunomodulation therapy and other biochemical and physiological functions in the body. In this study, the quantitative determination of zinc, calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium in four different African immune booster medicinal plants were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The four popular immune boosting medicinal plant samples truly include cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum), and ginger root (Zingiber officinale) and Lemmon grass (cymbopogon citratus) dried powdered were subjected to proximate and essential elements analysis using official methods of analysis. The results obtained from the mean analysis of plant samples have proximate values on dried basis as 5.57 - 10.34 % (moisture content), 0.66 - 2.46 % (ash content). The result showed that the samples are also a rich source of nutritive elements containing calcium 60.39±0.0 – 142.23±0.01mg/kg, potassium 39.25±0.00 – 435.09±0.01 mg/kg, sodium 24.11±0.00 – 97.58±0.01 mg/kg, magnesium 20.91±0.00 – 82.41±0.00 mg/kg and zinc 0.84±0.00 – 31.11±0.00 mg/kg dry weight. However, of all plants analyzed cinnamon had highest amount of Ca (142.23±0.01mg/kg), while lemon grass was the best source of K (435.09±0.01 mg/kg). Clove had highest levels of Na (97.58±0.01 mg/kg), and was the best source of Mg (82.41±0.00 mg/kg). Clove also provided the highest level of Zn (31.11±0.00 mg/kg). These discoveries may benefit individuals with weakened immune systems, as well as vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Such groups of people are encouraged to incorporate any of these medicinal plants in their diets as food supplements for their daily healthcare need.

Keywords : Essential Elements, Medicinal Plants, Immunotherapy, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

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Essential elements occur naturally in medicinal plants and plant extracts to support immunomodulation therapy and other biochemical and physiological functions in the body. In this study, the quantitative determination of zinc, calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium in four different African immune booster medicinal plants were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The four popular immune boosting medicinal plant samples truly include cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum), and ginger root (Zingiber officinale) and Lemmon grass (cymbopogon citratus) dried powdered were subjected to proximate and essential elements analysis using official methods of analysis. The results obtained from the mean analysis of plant samples have proximate values on dried basis as 5.57 - 10.34 % (moisture content), 0.66 - 2.46 % (ash content). The result showed that the samples are also a rich source of nutritive elements containing calcium 60.39±0.0 – 142.23±0.01mg/kg, potassium 39.25±0.00 – 435.09±0.01 mg/kg, sodium 24.11±0.00 – 97.58±0.01 mg/kg, magnesium 20.91±0.00 – 82.41±0.00 mg/kg and zinc 0.84±0.00 – 31.11±0.00 mg/kg dry weight. However, of all plants analyzed cinnamon had highest amount of Ca (142.23±0.01mg/kg), while lemon grass was the best source of K (435.09±0.01 mg/kg). Clove had highest levels of Na (97.58±0.01 mg/kg), and was the best source of Mg (82.41±0.00 mg/kg). Clove also provided the highest level of Zn (31.11±0.00 mg/kg). These discoveries may benefit individuals with weakened immune systems, as well as vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Such groups of people are encouraged to incorporate any of these medicinal plants in their diets as food supplements for their daily healthcare need.

Keywords : Essential Elements, Medicinal Plants, Immunotherapy, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

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