Effect of regional variation on heavy metal content of Mallotus philippensis Using AAS technique

Most herbal medicines, analysed for heavy metals, are found to be having higher concentration of one or more elements. Therefore, limit tests of heavy metals are essential for herbal medicines. There is also a need for heavy metal analysis to be an integral part of the standardization of herbal medicines. Mallotus philippensis is a plant distributed nearly throughout India. Mallotus philippensis, used for present study, has many pharmacological activities of which antibacterial, immunoregulatory, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity are important. Eight heavy metals, lead, zinc, copper, chromium, iron, arsenic, cadmium and nickel were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).