PJB-2020-346
BIOTECHNOLOGY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN DETOXIFICATION OF HEAVY METALS IN POLLUTED HUMAN SYSTEMS
Mardi M. Algandaby1
Abstract
Abstract The main objective of the present study was to indorse specific medicinal plants or formula as food supplement in polluted rural human societies to minimize the harmful effect of the prevailing heavy metals. The concentration of different heavy metals in Abu Qir, Amreyya and Abis districts was experimentally determined and the different methods by which these metals were introduced to the body system was recognized. Herbs were prepared specifically for each district based on the type of heavy metal and their concentrations. Data explored that there are many ways by which heavy metals can be introduced into the body such as consumption of foods, beverages, skin exposure and inhaled air. Heavy metals upset metabolic functions in two different ways. First, they accumulate and thus upset function in vital organs and glands such as heart, brain, kidneys, bone, liver and others. Second, they displace the vital nutritional minerals from their original place, thus hindering their biological function. Some of these symptoms were recorded among samples of inhabitants in the studied districts. Several medicinal plants such as Allium sativum (garlic), Arctium lappa (burdock), Coriandrum sativum (cilantro), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Ginkgo biloba (gingko), Olea europaea (olive), Plantago psyllium (psyllium), Silybum marianum (milkthistle), Tribulus terrestris (Tribulus), Urtica dioica (common nettle) and Zingbar officinalis (ginger) have evolved detoxification mechanisms (phytochelatins), mainly based on chelation and subcellular compartmentalization. The study concluded that initiation of health care specific programs for the human living in polluted districts is urgently necessary as a part of a sustainable development plan to save endangered rural communities.
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