HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND HEAVY METAL
CONTENTS IN HERBAL REMEDIES USED IN SEMI ARID REGION OF NIGERIA.
Hajara Momoh¹*, Sa’adatu Ahmad Madugu¹, Abba Yahaya¹ Aisha Salihu Muhammad1, Ahmad
Abdussamad Ismail2
1
Faculty of Physical Science,Department of Chemistry, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria
2
Faculty of life Science, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Federal University
Dutse, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author: momohhajara@[Link]
Abstract
For centuries, herbal remedies have globally gained great attention as alternative medicine
especially among residents of semi arid region of Nigeria, taking advantage of medicinal plants
abundance in the region. Hence this study investigated the phytochemicals profiles and levels of
some selected heavy metals (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn) in five different herbal remedies sold in
Dutse town, the capital of Jigawa [Link]. Samples were extracted with ethanol using
soxhlet extraction method, phytochemical determination was achieved by standard methods and
sample preparation for the elemental analysis was done employing a wet digestion method with
HNO3 and HCl as digestion acids and the metals were determined using an atomic absorption
spectrophotometer (AAS). Health implication indices for adults and children was done by using
estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target cancer
risk (TCR) to access the health benefit and risks. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, revealed
the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and steroids in
varying concentrations across the samples. Notably, phenols, terpenoids and saponins were
present in all the samples, while steroids and alkaloid were present in 80% of the
[Link] and flavonoid were least detectable in only 40% of the samples. Elemental
analysis indicated significant contamination with heavy metals. Lead (Pb) and Cobalt (Co) were
detected at concentrations ranging from 1.086 to 1.636 mg/kg and from 0.630–0.740 mg/kg
respectively, exceeding the WHO permissible limits of 1.0 mg/L for Pb and (0.043 mg/kg) set
by Food and Nutrition Board for [Link] (Cd) and nickel (Ni) were present at
concentrations ranging from 0.088 to 0.110 mg/kg and 0.662to 0.942mg/kg respectively, below
the WHO limits of 0.3 mg/kg for Cd and 10 mg/kg for Ni. Zinc (Zn) concentrations ranged from
0.686 to 5.086 mg/kg, which remain within the WHO permissible limit . However, the elevated
levels of Pb and Co highlight potential health risks associated with prolonged consumption of
these herbal medicines. These findings underscore the urgent need for stringent quality control
and regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal formulations.
Key words: Herbal remedies, Heavy metals, Phytochemicals, Target hazard quotient, Hazard
index, Health implication.
Introduction
Herbal medicines have been employed globally for centuries to treat various ailments,
particularly in developing nations (WHO, 2019), due to their perceived efficacy,cost
effectiveness and accessibility (Kayode et al., 2017). In Nigeria's semi-arid regions, herbal
medicines are extensively used to treat various health issues (Kayode et al., 2017). However,
concerns regarding their safety, efficacy, and quality have emerged seeing the increase in there
demand, particularly concerning their phytochemical composition and heavy metal
contamination (WHO,2018).
The purity and potency of herbal medicines are not often regulated as is the case for
conventional drugs leading to negative effects associated to the toxic, heavy metals in herbal
drugs and danger to human health (Somers, 1983).
People often nurse the notion that herbal remedies are safe and harmless to humans because
their origin is natural with no chemical alteration whatsoever. However, Several studies have
revealed that most of these herbal preparations are heavily loaded with heavy metals beyond the
limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) (Samali et al., 2017; Atinafu et al., 2015)
highlighting the need for quality control measures. For example, a study conducted by
(Ogunlowo et al.,2017) found that 70% of herbal medicines sampled contained high levels of
lead, cadmium, and mercury Similarly, a study in India revealed that 60% of herbal medicines
analyzed contained heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic (Mukhopadhyay et al
2021).
Heavy metals are naturally occurring and can contaminate herbal medicines through soil
pollution, water contamination, and could also be distributed through various activities of human
beings (Jaishankar et al., 2014). On ingestion, these toxic substances can bioaccumulate in the
body, causing uncurable damage to vital organs and leading to health issues such as
neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity (Jaishankar et al., 2014). Soil contamination with heavy metals
also poses environmental risks, including soil fertility reduction and groundwater contamination
(Khan et al., 2017).
Heavy metals are non biodegradable in nature and could remain undecomposed for a very long
time in the environment (Ara et al., 2018) therefore environmental heavy metal pollution, and
their long term effects are global health concerns. Furthermore, the release of heavy metals into
the environment can occur through various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural
runoff, and waste disposal, perpetuating the cycle of pollution and posing a significant risk to
public health (Singh et al.,2019). Transfer of contaminated heavy metal in soil to food is possible
and have harmful effects on human beings as well as animals even at low concentrations because
the body can hardly get rid of them (Angon et al 2024).
The semi arid part of Nigeria is a garden housing different types of herbs due to geographical
location. Traditional medicine plays a vital role in the healthcare practices of the people in this
zone, with many relying on herbal remedies and spiritual healing (Kayode et al., 2017).
However, it is essential to critically access the quality, efficacy and safety of herbal medicines
before the letting them into the market (Wang et al., 1996). The region's strong respect for elders
and traditional practices emphasizes the importance of investigating the phytochemical
composition and heavy metal content of herbal medicines they consume, to ensure the safety and
efficacy of these remedies and provide valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers,
and the general public. Despite potential health risks, comprehensive studies on phytochemical
composition and heavy metal content in herbal remedies used in Nigeria's semi-arid regions are
lacking. This knowledge gap poses significant public health risks, emphasizing the need for
[Link] study investigates phytochemical composition and heavy metal (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb
and Zn) content in five different herbal remedies sold in Dutse town in other to evaluate potential
health implications, and provides insights for herbal medicine practitioners, manufacturers, and
consumers. The findings will contribute to existing knowledge, inform policy decisions, and
ensure safe herbal medicine use.
Materials and methods
Description of the study area
The map showing the location of the study area (Dutse town) is shown in Figure 1.
Dutse town, located in the semi-arid region of northwestern Nigeria, is the capital city of Jigawa
State (NPC, 2006). With a population predominantly comprising Hausa and Fulani people, as
well as other ethnic groups such as Kanuri, Nupe, and Yoruba, the town has a rich cultural
heritage (Smith, 2014). The majority of the inhabitants are Muslims, with a small Christian
minority (NPC, 2006). As at 2006, the estimated population of Dutse town is
approximately 153,000 inhabitants (NPC, 2006). However, as per the 2022 population
projections, Dutse town has an estimated population of around 431,800 inhabitants
(NBS, 2022). A significant population of these people engages in subsistence farming, growing
crops such as millet, sorghum, and cowpeas, while others are involved in livestock herding,
craftsmanship as well as trade. Traditional medicine plays a vital role in the healthcare practices
of the people, with many relying on herbal remedies and spiritual healing in curing various
ailments.
Sample description and preparation
The herbal remedies samples which were in powdery form, packaged inside small polythene
bags and then enveloped with sachet papers, were randomly bought from herbal vendors in
Dutse town, in Jigawa state. The samples were removed carefully from their seals with scissors,
and kept inside dry polythene materials before use. The samples were coded as HA HB, HC, HD
and HE.
Samples extraction
Soxhlet extraction method was used, 25g each of the five herbal samples were weighted into a
thimble seperately. The thimbles were put inside the soxhlet apparatus and extracted using
ethanol as solvent for 2hrs until the thimble showed a colorless solution. The extracts obtained
were concentrated to dryness under pressure in a rotary evaporator(RE52-3) for 45mins.
Qualitative phytochemical analysis
Phytochemical analysis was carried out adopting standard methods as described by (Sofowora,
(1993); (Kumar et al., (2007). Phytochemicals tested were alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols,
saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and steroids.
Samples digestion and analysis
The herbal remedies samples (5g) each were weighed into digestion flasks, and 8 mL of
trioxonitrate (V) acid was added and then 4 mL perchloric [Link] digestion flasks were then
placed on a hot plate set at 80℃ then gradually, the temperature was increased to 120 ℃ until
complete digestion was obtained. The digested samples were filtered, diluted with distilled water
and made up to 100 mL mark (UNEP/FAO/WHO, 1992). Heavy metal levels in the samples
(Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analysed using a Perkin Elmer PinAAcle 900H Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer (AAS) facility from the Central Laboratory, Bayero University, Kano.
Health risk assessment
The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk of the sample were estimated using the
following parameters : estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, target cancer risk (TCR)
and hazard index.
Estimated daily intake(EDI) of the heavy metals
The EDI of the heavy metals was computed employing the equation by (Uddin et al., 2019):
Where Cm is the concentration of heavy metals (mg kg-1 dry weight), Rf refers to the daily
intake of food in kg per person per day (0.015 kg/person/day) and Bw represents the average
body weight in kg (24 kg for children; 70 kg for adult).
Non-carcinogenic risk
Target hazard quotient (THQ)
The THQ was calculated employing the formula (Uddin et al., 2019):
Where THQ refers to non-cancer risks, Ef implies the exposure frequency (365 days year-1 ),
and De means exposure duration (65 years); Df represent reference dose. Df of Pb, Co, Ni, Cd
and Zn are 0.004, 1.4, 0.02, 0.001 and 0.30 (mg/kg/day) respectively (US EPA, 2021) and
Tavncar denotes the average time for non-carcinogens (365days year-1 × De) (US EPA, 2011).
Chronic hazard index (HI)
The HI is the summation of more than one hazard quotient for multiple toxicants or multiple
exposure pathways (Ekhator et al., 2017). This was calculated using the equation
HI = ∑ THQ
Carcinogenic risk
Target cancer risk (TCR)
The TCR was calculated by the formula:
TCR = THQ × Sepo (US EPA (2011)
Sepo = carcinogenic potency slope. Pb ,Cd,Co and Ni reference values are 0.0085 , 6.10, 0.19
and 3.0 mg kg-1 bw day-1 respectively (US EPA, 2015).
Data analysis
The data analysis (Oloyo, 2001) was carried out using Microsoft Excel package.
Results and discussion
Table 1 presents the sample codes, composition and various traditional uses of the samples of the
traditional herbs. The codes ranged from HR-1 – HR-5. All the samples were made up of
different compositions. The phytochemical analysis of the herbal remedy samples as shown in
table 2 reveals a diverse profile of bioactive compounds. The presence of phenols, saponins, and
terpenoids in all samples suggests a common therapeutic potential, while the varying presence of
alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and tannins across samples indicates distinct bioactive
fingerprints. This diversity has significant implications for herbal drug development, as it
highlights the importance of standardization and quality control to ensure consistent therapeutic
effects. Furthermore, the unique phytochemical profiles of each sample may be used for
authentication and identification purposes, ultimately contributing to the safety and efficacy of
herbal medicine products.
A captivating correlation emerges when we consider the presence of heavy metals alongside the
phytochemical profiles. For instance, samples B, C, D, and E, which contained alkaloids, also
had higher levels of Cd and Pb. This raises an intriguing question: could the presence of
alkaloids contribute to the accumulation of these heavy metals in the herbal remedies?
Furthermore, the presence of flavonoids in samples A and C, which had relatively lower levels of
heavy metals, suggests a potential protective effect of these compounds against heavy metal
contamination. This notion is supported by studies demonstrating the antioxidant and chelating
properties of flavonoids, which can help mitigate heavy metal toxicity (Middleton et al., 2000).
The ubiquitous presence of phenols, saponins, and terpenoids across all samples implies that
these compounds may play a role in the accumulation or detoxification of heavy metals.
Research has shown that these phytochemicals can interact with heavy metals, influencing their
bioavailability and toxicity (Dewick, 2009).Steroids, present in samples A, B, D, and E, may also
be involved in the regulation of heavy metal levels. Some studies suggest that steroids can
modulate the expression of genes involved in heavy metal detoxification (Dewick,2009).
Lastly, the presence of tannins in samples A and B, which had relatively lower levels of heavy
metals, hints at a potential role of these compounds in mitigating heavy metal contamination.
Tannins have been shown to complex with heavy metals, reducing their bioavailability and
toxicity (Haslam, 1996).
In conclusion, the correlation between heavy metal levels and phytochemical profiles in these
herbal remedies samples is a complex and intriguing one. While some phytochemicals may
contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals, others may offer protective effects against heavy
metal toxicity. Further research is needed to unravel the mechanisms underlying these
correlations and to explore the potential applications of phytochemicals in mitigating heavy
metal contamination.
The results of the heavy metal analysis in herbal remedies samples as shown in Table 3 indicate
the presence of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in varying
concentrations. A comparison of these results with the recommended standards of the World
Health Organization (WHO) and other health regulatory bodies reveals some concerns.
Concentrations of cadmium ranged from 0.088mg/kg in HR-5 to 0.110 mg/kg in HR-4. Results
obtained from this investigation were relatively lower than the 0.3 mg/kg maximum limit
permissible as set by WHO (2007). Comparing with existing literature, results of Cd in this study
were far lower than those obtained for spinach (0.44- 0.85) and papaya (0.23-1.05) (Uddin et al.,
2019). And for herbal medicines (0.156-0.312 mg/kg ) (Olaleye et al 2024) Cd is a toxic metal
considered as a carcinogen. Exposure to Cd can cause lung, prostate and kidney cancer as well as
weak bones.( (Mahurpawar, 2015).
The concentration of lead (Pb) in the herbal samples ranged from 1.086 mg/kg in HR-2 to 1.636
mg/kg in HR-4. This level of Pb contamination is concerning, as it exceeds the recommended
limits set by various regulatory [Link] Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health
Organization, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has established a
maximum permissible limit for Pb in foodstuffs, including herbal products, at 1.0 mg/kg. The
high levels of Pb found in the herbal samples pose potential health risks to consumers,
particularly with prolonged consumption. Pb toxicity can cause various health problems,
including neurological damage, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disease (ATSDR, 2007).
Regulatory agencies and manufacturers must ensure that herbal products comply with
established safety limits to protect public health. A study by Llobet et al. (2003) reported Pb
levels in herbal teas ranging from 0.02 to 1.30 mg/kg . Another study byOlaleye et al 2024 found
Pb levels in medicinal herbs ranging from 0.876 -1.91 mg/kg. The Pb levels found in this study
are within the range reported by these studies however, results obtained here were lower than
that reported by (Uddin et al., 2019) (1.62–13.4 mg/kg) and (Meseret et al., 2020) (3:00–4.00
mg/kg) .
Cobalt (Co) levels in herbal remedy samples ranged from 0.630–0.740 mg/kg, which exceeds the
recommended maximum limit (0.043 mg/kg) set by Food and Nutrition [Link] excessive
levels of Co in herbal samples pose potential health risks to consumers, particularly with
prolonged consumption. Cobalt toxicity can cause various health problems, including thyroid
dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage (ATSDR, 2004). A study by
Llobet et al. (2003) reported Co levels in herbal teas ranging from 002 to 0.45 mg/kg, which is
significantly lower than the levels found in this study. Another study by Singh et al. (2010)
reported Co levels in medicinal herbs ranging from 0.05to 1.20 mg/kg.
Concentrations of zinc ranged from 0.686 mg/kg in HR-1 to 5.086 mg/kg in HR-5. zinc is an
essential trace metal necessary for various bodily functions, it plays a crucial role in metabolism,
including cholesterol and carbohydrate processing. (Adesina et al., 2020) The concentration of
Zn obtained in this study will carry out these metabolic processes. However excessive levels of
Zn can have adverse health effects on consumers (Jarup, 2003). The results obtained in this work
is comparably lower than 4.26-10.1 mg/kg obtained by Olaleye et al (2024) for herbal drugs.
Although nickel is essential in trace amounts, as it activates certain enzymes, excessive
concentrations can be toxic (Ameen et al., 2019). This study found nickel levels ranging
from 0.662to 0.942mg/kg, which falls below the permissible limit of 10 mg/kg set by the WHO
(1996). Notably, these levels are also lower than those reported in contaminated vegetables from
Varanasi, India (Singh et al., 2010), which had concentrations as high as 10.45-39.5 mg/kg. Also
result of this study was lower than that obtained by Olaleye et al (2024) for herbal drugs sample
were he obtained a result ranging from 0.96-2.74 mg/kg.
The results of estimated daily intake (EDI) for both adults and children (70 kg body weight, bw
and (24 kg bw respectively) are presented in Table 4. The EDI for adults were (mg/kg/day): Cd
(2.00E-5 across all samples); Co (1.4E-4–1.6E-4); Ni (1.40E-4–2.0E-4). Pb (2.3E-4–3.5E-4);
Zn (1.5E-4–1.11E-3). For children (24 kg bw), EDI levels were Cd (6.20E-5–7.0E-5); Co (3.9E-
4–4.6E-4); Ni (4.10E-4–5.9 E-4), ; Pb (6.6E-4–8.5E-3); Zn (4.2E-4–3.2E-3).
The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) measures the likelihood of non-carcinogenic health issues in
humans. According to the US EPA (2011), a THQ value of less than1.0 is considered acceptable.
However, if the THQ value exceeds 1.0, it may indicate a potential health risk. This is supported
by Ambedkar and Maniyan (2011), who highlighted the importance of THQ values in assessing
non-carcinogenic health risks. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of herbal
products revealed alarming levels of heavy metal contamination, posing significant health risks
to consumers, particularly children. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for Cd, Co, Ni,
and Pb (Table 5) exceeded the safe limit of 1, indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks
(US EPA, 2011). The THQ range for Pb was notably high, ranging from 10.76 to 16.61 for
children and 3.68-5.70 for adults, suggesting a significant risk of lead poisoning.
The Hazard Index (HI) represents the cumulative impact of multiple heavy metals on human
[Link] Hazard Index (HI) values for the consumption of herbal products, is shown in Table
6. In this study, HI values exceeded 1.0 for both children and adults, indicating a significant
cumulative risk of non-carcinogenic health effects from exposure to multiple heavy metals. The
HI values (Table 6) for children (ranging from 17.1 to 24.1) were substantially higher than those
for adults (ranging from 5,56 to 7.92), suggesting a greater risk of adverse health effects in
children.
The TCR levels in this study for 24 kg and 70 kg body weights as depicted in (Table 6)were
found to be Cd: 0.719-0.898 and 0.246-0.307 respectively Co: 0.162-0.190 and 0.055-0.065
respectively; Pb: 0.011-0.017 and 0.004-0.006 respectively; Ni: 4.03-5.74 and 1.38-1.97
respectivel .The Target Cancer Risk (TCR) levels for Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni in this study indicate a
significant potential cancer risk associated with the consumption of these herbal products. It has
been reported that TCR≤10--6 implies low carcinogenic risk; TCR =10 -5 –10-3 , means the
carcinogenic risk is moderate; when TCR = 10 -3 –10-1 , it implies high risk and when TCR≥10 -1 ,
the risk is very high (NYSDOH, 2007). In this report, the TCR values for Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni
indicate a very high cancer risk, particularly for children, with Cd and Ni posing the highest
risks. Prolonged exposure to these metals may lead to various health problems, including kidney
damage, thyroid problems, neurological damage, and increased risk of cancer.
The percentage contribution of each metal to non-carcinogenic risk reveals that Pb is the primary
contributor, accounting for 62.64-72.68% of the risk, followed by Cd, Ni, and Zn while Co
contributes negligibly. This suggests that Pb exposure poses the greatest non-carcinogenic health
risk, particularly to children. The high contribution of Pb may be attributed to its widespread
presence in environmental pollutants, such as soil, water, and air, which can contaminate herbal
products during cultivation, processing, or storage, The high percentage contribution of Pb to
non-carcinogenic risk in the herbal remedies sampled may be further attributed to the
environmental conditions in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Dutse is a rural area with intense
agricultural activities, which may lead to soil contamination with heavy metals like Pb.
Additionally, the area's proximity to industrial and mining activities may also contribute to
environmental pollution. The use of contaminated water and soil for herbal cultivation and
processing may result in the accumulation of Pb in the herbal products, posing a significant
health risk to consumers. Furthermore, the lack of strict regulatory measures and quality control
standards in the region may exacerbate the problem, highlighting the need for urgent attention to
mitigate the risks associated with Pb exposure in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Table 1. Composition and traditional use of the local herbal medicines
Sample codes Composition Medicinal use
HR-1 Mitragyna inermis and Parkia biglobosa Typhoid
HR-2 Euphorbia hirta, Portulaca oleracea and Abelmoschus Pile
esculentus
HR-3 Chromolaena odorata and Bridelia ferruginea Gonorrhea
HR-4 Secamone afzelli, Moringa oleifera and Euphorbia hirta Malarial fever
HR-5 Hibiscus sabdariffa and Ziziphus mauritiana Yellow fever
Table 2: Qualitative phytochemical analysis
Samples Alkaloids Flavonoid Phenols Saponins Steroids Tannins Terpenoids
s
A - + ++ + + + +
B + - ++ ++ + + +
C + + + + - - +
D + - + + + - +
E + - + ++ + - ++
Key: ++ = present in excess, + = present and - = absent
Table 3. Mean concentration (mg/kg dw) of heavy metals in local herbal drug
Concentration of the heavy metals in mg/kg
Samples/ Cd Co Pb Ni Zn
Metals
HR-1 0.100 ± 0.0015 0.660± 0.0196 1.436 ± 0.0227 0.864± 0.0095 0.686± 0.0027
HR-2 0.094± 0.0008 0.662 ± 0.0037 1.086 ± 0.1997 0.780± 0.0016 0.710± 0.0022
HR-3 0.098± 0.0003 0.684± 0.0020 1.480 ± 0.0140 0.816± 0.0092 1.346± 0.0009
HR-4 0.110± 0.0004 0.740± 0.0040 1.636± 0.0132 0.942 ± 0.0019 0.792 ± 0.0028
HR-5 0.088± 0.0003 0.630± 0.0055 1.470± 0.0191 0.662± 0.0066 5.086± 0.0013
WHO
(2020)
Table 4: . Estimated daily intake (EDI) of the herbal remedies for adults and children.
Samples Cd Co Pb Ni Zn Cd Co Pb Ni Zn
/ Metals
Children (24 kg body weight, bw) Adults (70 kg body weight, bw)
HR-1 0.0000 0.0004 0.0089 0.0005 0.0004 0.0000 0.0001 0.0003 0.0001 0.0001
6 1 5 4 2 2 4 1 9 5
HR-2 0.0000 0.0004 0.0006 0.0004 0.0004 0.0000 0.0001 0.0002 0.0001 0.0001
6 1 6 9 4 2 4 3 7 5
HR-3 0.0000 0.0004 0.0009 0.0005 0.0008 0.0000 0.0001 0.0003 0.0001 0.0002
6 2 3 1 4 2 5 2 7 9
HR-4 0.0000 0.0004 0.0010 0.0005 0.0005 0.0000 0.0001 0.0003 0.0002 0.0001
7 6 2 9 0 2 6 5 0 7
HR-5 0.0000 0.0003 0.0009 0.0004 0.0031 0.0000 0.0001 0.0003 0.0001 0.0010
6 9 2 1 8 2 4 2 4 9
Table 5: Targeted Hazard Quotient of the metals
Samples/ Cd Co Pb Ni Zn Cd Co Pb Ni Zn
Metals
Children (24 kg bw) Adults (70 kg bw)
HR-1 4.06 0.893 14.58 1.76 0.093 1.39 0.306 5.00 0.602 0.032
HR-2 3.82 0.896 10.76 1.59 0.096 1.31 0.307 3.68 0.543 0.033
HR-3 3.98 0.926 15.03 1.66 0.182 1.37 0.318 5.15 0.568 0.062
HR-4 4.47 1.002 16.61 1.91 0.107 1.53 0.344 5.70 0.656 0.037
HR-5 3.56 0.853 14.93 1.34 0.689 1.23 0.292 5.12 0.461 0.236
Table 6: Target Cancer Risks of the metals
Samples Cd Co Pb Ni Zn HI Cd Co Pb Ni Zn HI
/ Metals
Children (24 kg bw) Adults (70 kg bw)
HR-1 0.817 0.169 0.01 5.27 NC 21.4 0.280 0.058 0.00 1.81 NC 7.02
5 5
HR-2 0.767 0.170 0.11 4.75 NC 17.1 0.263 0.058 0.00 1.62 NC 5.56
4
HR-3 0.800 0.176 0.15 4.92 NC 21.8 0.274 0.060 0.00 1.70 NC 7.15
5
HR-4 0.898 0.190 0.17 5.74 NC 24.1 0.307 0.065 0.00 1.97 NC 7.92
6
HR-5 0.719 0.162 0.15 4.03 NC 21.4 0.246 0.055 0.00 01.38 NC 7.04
5
Table 7. Percentages of non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in the herbal drug samples
Samples/ Cd Co Pb Ni Zn Cd Co Pb Ni Zn
Metals
Children (24 kg bw) Adults (70 kg bw)
HR-1 19.01 0.090 68.25 8.21 0.435 19.81 0.093 71.15 8.56 0.432
HR-2 22.30 0.112 62.64 9.25 0.561 23.53 0.118 66.09 9.76 0.593
HR-3 18.28 0.091 69.01 7.61 0.837 19.08 0.095 72.07 7.94 0.874
HR-4 18.53 0.089 68.92 7.94 0.445 19.33 0.093 71.90 8.28 0.464
HR-5 16.71 0.086 69.80 6.29 3.220 17.40 0.089 72.68 6.55 3.353
STATEMENTS AND DECLARATIONS
Acknowledgement
The authors are highly grateful to th e Central Laboratory, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria and
Chemistry laboratory, Federal University Dutse, Jiagwa State of Nigeria for their contribution
in carrying out the research work.
Declaration Of Conflict Of Interest
The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of
this article.
Funding
No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.
Consent to participate
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Authors contribution
All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Conceptualization and
Supervision by Hajara Momoh, Material preparation, data collection and analysis were
performed by Sa’adatu Ahmad Madugu, Abba Yahaya and Aisha Salihu Muhammad. The
first draft of the manuscript was written by Hajara Momoh, review and editing by
Ahmad Abdussamad Ismail and all authors commented on previous versions of the
manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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