Trace Elements Content of Some Traditional Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes is a public health problem that affects life quality. Trace elements have a critical role in the activity and structure of the enzymes involve in carbohydrate metabolism. Many traditional herbs have been used for the treatment and management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Anti-diabetic medicinal plants have a significant lowering effect on blood sugar, then assessment of mineral content of these plants has a great value to judge their mechanism of action. Determination of Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Ferrum (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Selenium (Se), Vanadium (V), and Zinc (Zn) values in twenty-eight anti-diabetic plants were conducted and the estimation carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after wet digestion. We found that the levels of Mn, Mo, Co, and Cr were in trace amount, whereas Fe, Se, V and Zn contents were higher. Because of trace elements variations between the studied plants, the hypoglycemic effect of these herbs is not due to a unique element present in the herbs, it rather a synergic effect of several elements might account for the hypoglycemic nature of these plants. Further work is necessary to evaluate this phenomenon.