Endogenous transitional metal and proximate analysis of selected medicinal plants from Pakistan.

Transitional metal and proximate analysis plays an important role in assessing the appropriateness of medicinal plants or their extracts orally taken by the marginal communities. To acquaint, various proximate parameters like ash, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, fat and moisture (both dry and wet) and endogenous transition metals like copper, magnesium, manganese, lead, cadmium, iron, chromium and sodium; four medicinal plant species, viz. Rhazya stricta,Dalbergia sisso, Phlomis cashmeriana and Phlomis bracteosa were assayed while using standard techniques of AOAC. The results showed that Phlomis bracteosa has highest percentage of fiber, fat and energy values compared to other species. However, the concentration of magnesium, manganese,chromium and sodium were found highest in Dalbergia sisso compared to the other three species. The study reveals that all the values of metals concentration are in accordance with WHO standards.   Key words: Proximate contents, metals analysis, medicinal plants, Pakistan.